Bethel, Alaska

If you want to return to nature, this Alaskan city of 5,471 is the place to do it. Located at the mouth of the Kuskokwim River, approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) from the Bering Sea, no roads lead to Bethel, so getting to the city means travelling by air via the Bethel Airport (most commonly) or by sea via the Port of Bethel. But that doesn't mean Bethel is cut off. As the hub for the surrounding 56 local villages, Bethel is the port of call for supplies, meaning its stores are well stocked (though one might also note that Bethel is a "damp" community – where residents can possess alcohol, but none is sold).

Wildlife lovers will be in heaven in this unique city located in the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge – a 22-million-acre (nearly nine-million-hectare) area of tundra and wetlands, filled with rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds, that has one of the largest aggregations of water birds in the world. The surrounding area has plenty of animal life, in addition to the aforementioned waterfowl, including bears, caribou, lynx, fox, wolves, and moose.

Being in the midst of this beautiful wilderness can only be inspiring for those who enjoy outdoor activities. Dogsledding is very popular here, as indicated by the yearly Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race. Snowmobiling, snowshoeing, fishing, hunting, and kayaking also keep residents busy.

The pace of life is slower here. Originally named Mumtrekhlogamute after a nearby fish smokehouse by the indigenous Yup'ik Eskimos (Mumtrekhlogamute means Smokehouse People), many locals still lead a traditional way of life through trapping, fishing, and berry collection. And while sun worshippers won't love it here, the weather is relatively manageable with winter temperatures generally dropping to 0F (-17C), and producing about a foot of snow, and summer temperatures rising to 60F (15C).

So if you want outdoor adventure in a beautiful, remote locale, consider Bethel.

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