Alaska is the final frontier, with the last homestead grant in the US made in 1988 in Alaska. There’s no longer land for the taking, but it still presents an appealing aspect to those seeking independence and self-sufficiency.

Notably, Alaska is the most lightly populated state in the US, with only 1.3 people per square mile. And most of those residents are concentrated in a few small cities. 

Isolation is the critical aspect. Access to Alaska is by air, sea, or a 3+ day drive on the Alcan highway. This is a positive in terms of security and safety. In any social, economic, or political upheaval, Alaska is well out of the way, and likely to be wholly unaffected by events in the lower 48. However, this isolation means that the supply chains providing food, fuel, and other resources are very long and vulnerable. These effects were felt during the Covid-19 pandemic, as this article in the Anchorage Daily News illustrates. In a catastrophe that sees major disruption to the economy, shortages of fuel and food could become severe.

Accordingly, choice of an Alaska retreat location will necessitate an in-depth approach to self-sufficiency, and the potential for a very long time without ready access to goods that are shipped in from the lower 48 or overseas.

Off-grid living in Alaska is possible, but challenging due to low sun angle, long winter nights, and weather conditions.   There are folks that do it, as illustrated on Justin Rhodes’ YouTube channel. (See video to the right.) In designing a homestead of self-sufficiency, it would be wise to plan on multiple options: a large fuel store and generator for heavy loads, wood heating, and a solar power system to handle regular electric needs.