Visiting Ruby Alaska

Ruby has some 50 miles of dirt and gravel roads, including the Ruby-Poorman Highway, but it is not connected to the road system in Alaska (see map). You cannot drive to Ruby. In the early days transportation was by steam ship or boat on the Yukon River. Today most people fly in.

Three commuter airlines offer daily service to Ruby. Frontier Flying Service is the primary passenger line with two daily flights to and from Fairbanks. Warbelow carries freight but will also take passengers on one flight a day. Wright Air Service also offers a daily flight.The fare is approximately $260 round trip from Fairbanks (summer 2007 rates).

There are no hotels or commercial lodging facilities in or near Ruby other than two Bed & Breakfasts operated by local residents. Ruby has a general store that carries groceries and liquor but there are no restaurants or bars.

The Wild Iris B&B phone number is 907-468-4610. Rachel Kangas, the owner, can also be contacted by email: Racheal_Kangas21@hotmail.com.

Holly, a Ruby school teacher, also offers a B&B in her home. Phone: 907-468-4489. Mailing address is PO Box 116, Ruby, AK 99768.

Other accommodations in the Ruby area include the Yukon River Lodge fifteen miles up river. Email: YukonRiverLodge@mac.com.

Vehicles may sometimes be rented from local residents. The unpaved Ruby-Poorman Highway is state maintained but can be soft and slippery after heavy rains as it's a dirt road. 30 miles south of Ruby is the ghost town of Long. Keep in mind the buildings there as well as others in the area are not abandoned but are still privately owned. Please respect private property. The road is currently not passable after Monument Creek, about 40 miles from town, due to a wash out.

There are active mining claims in the area. Along the road near Long City and several miles south from there the ground is claimed. While the owners may not get too upset if you tried gold panning any mechanized mining or metal detecting would likely be frowned upon without permission. Claim jumping is taken very seriously in Alaska.

Summer is a great time to visit Ruby but spring and fall can be nice. See weather information here.

If you are a fan of the Iditarod Sled dog race Ruby can be a great vantage point. The race takes the northern route every other year.

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