We are pleased that you have chosen to spend some time in our small community. Our residents number 1319. The elevation of Tok is 1635'.
Tok is the trade center for the Athabascan native villages of Northway, Tetlin, Tanacross, Mentasta, Eagle and Dot Lake. Local native arts and gifts may be found in many of our local shops.
Tok originated as an AK Road Commission camp for the construction of the Alcan & Glenn Highways, in the 1940's. To discover how Tok got it's name, stop by the Mainstreet Visitor Center. You will be surprised. Tok was designated a Presidential Townsite in 1946, the same year the Alcan was open to civilians, and a roadhouse was opened in the community.
In 1954, the Tok Dog Mushers was founded and the U. S. Army began construction of the 8" Haines - Fairbanks fuel pipeline, with a pump station located here. It closed down in 1979. In the fall of 1976 the U. S. Coast Guard built the Long Range Aide to Navigation station (LORAN). Four 700' towers, 6 miles east of the junction, transmit radio navigation signals for air & marine traffic in the Gulf of Alaska. U. S. Customs moved from Tok to its present location in 1971.
Milepost 1324 leads to the Tanacross Indian village and to the Tanacross Airport. The village is where the Eagle Trail crossed the Tanana River. Sternwheelers once plied the waters of the river. The large paved airstrip was built during WWII to handle aircraft being ferried to Russia. It remains a base for summer fire fighting crews.
Tok is a center for dog breeding, training, and mushing. Hosting the world famous, "Race of Champions Sled Dog Race" each year in March. It is one of the oldest in the state. Some other interesting points to see while in the Tok area are some of the best rainbow trout, burbot, northern pike and arctic grayling fishing in the world. Or perhaps you want to see some of the magnificent wild game readily viewed by any with a modicum of patience. Bear, moose, caribou and dall sheep may all be seen in and around Tok.
Lets not forget the birding clan, the entire Upper Tanana Valley offers excellent waterfowl nesting habitat and is a main migration corridor for the birds each spring and fall. Mallards, green-winged teal, wigeon, buffleheads, and scaup are quite common. Look for the Lesser Canada Geese on gravel bars, and the royalty of the bird world Trumpeter Swans may be seen in ponds throughout the area.
Guests are welcome to local clubs and organizational meetings when visiting Tok, a few are listed below.
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Tok abounds in pioneer spirits as well as the, "INDIAN SPIRIT HOUSES LOCATED" in the Tok Cemetary. These "Spirits of the North" are a legacy of native culture in Alaska.
Tok has no car rental agencies, a limited bus service to Fairbanks, Anchorage, Whitehorse, and Haines is available.
Seat belts are required to be worn in Alaska and headlights are suggested.
U.S. currency, Travelers Checks, and Credit Cards are accepted at most Alaskan businesses.
The Tok Chamber of Commerce is delighted to show our little spot of paradise to guests and travelers from all over the world. The tranquil life of the country gives ample opportunity to partake of events such as the evening dog sled demonstrations by local renowned mushers. Some will enjoy playing some daring Bush Golf. You might join our "Sourdough Sunday"
and listen to some real old timers tell of days long ago in the Last Frontier. Not just plain but your fancy too can be seen on Tok Alaska, you will eat BBQ Salmon and stroll the steets of this historic town with such rare creatures as Llamas.
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ALASKA POWER CO. P.O. Box 207 Tok, AK Don Mahon 883-5101 |
ALL ALASKA GIFTS P.O. Box 132 Tok, AK Bronk Jorgenson 883-5081 |
BULLSHOOTER'S RV P.O. Box 553 Tok, AK John Barker 883-5625 |
BURNHAM CONST. P.O. Box 363 Tok, Ak John Burnham 883-2751 |
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BURNT PAW GIFTS P.O. Box 7 Tok, AK 99780 Bill & Nancy Arpino 883-4121 |
CLEFT OF THE ROCK B&B P.O. Box 122 Tok, AK 99780 John & Jill Rusyniak 883-4219 |
DENALI STATE BANK P.O. Box 579 Tok, AK 99780 Karla Rallo 883-2265 |
FAST EDDY'S / YOUNG'S MOTEL P.O. Box 482 Tok, AK 99780 Ed & Diane Young 883-5578 |
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40-MILE AIR P.O. Box 539 Tok, AK 99780 Charlie Warbelow 883-5191 |
FRONTIER FOODS P.O. Box 189 Tok, AK 99780 Larry Weisz 883-5195 |
THE GOLD PANNER P.O. Box 701 Tok, AK 99780 Bill & MAry Morris 883-2515 |
GATEWAY SALMON BAKE P.O. Box 579 Tok, AK 99780 Dave & Cleeta Allen 883-5555 |
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GOLDEN BEAR MOTEL & RV PARK P.O.Box 500 Tok, AK 99780 Roberta Jenkin 883-2561 |
GOLDEN DREAMS B&B P.O. Box 106 Tok, AK 99780 Helen Olsen 883-5659 |
HUSKY LOUNGE P.O. Box 543 Tok, AK 99780 Betty Kuebler 883-2381 |
JACK WADE GOLD CO. P.O. Box 149 Tok, AK 99780 Bonnie Jenkins 883-5887 |
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TOKLAT/NAPA AUTO P.O. Box 511 Tok, AK 99780 Dick Schultz 883-5858 |
NORTHERN ENERGY P.O. Box 194 Tok, AK 99780 JB Burnham 883-4241 |
NORTHSTAR P.O. Box 504 Tok, AK 99780 Lola Pearson 883-4501 |
RITA'S POTPOURRI & RV P.O.Box 599 Tok, AK 99780 Doug & Rita Euers 883-4342 |
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RURAL AK REAL ESTATE P.O. Box 231 Tok, AK 99780 Sally Young 883-5594 |
SNOWSHOE MOTEL & GIFTS P.O. Box 559 Tok, AK 99780 Paul & Luv Smith 883-4181 |
SOURDOUGH CAMPGROUND P.O. Box 47 Tok, AK 99780 Don & Joyce Farris 883-5543 |
STAGE STOP B & B FOR HORSES & PEOPLE P.O. Box 69 Tok, AK 99780 Mary Underwood 883-5338 |
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WINTER CABIN B & B P.O. Box 110 Tok, AK 99780 Donna Balsor-Bernhardt 883-5655 |
TOK LODGE & MINI-MART P.O. Box 135 Tok, AK 99780 Bud & Pam Johnson 883-2851 |
TOK RV VILLAGE P.O. Box 739 Tok, AK 99780 Mike & Linda Jernigan 883-5577 |
TOK SAVE WAY P.O. Box 339 Tok, AK 99780 Paul & Grace 883-5389 |
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VILLAGE TEXACO P.O. Box 739 Tok, AK 99780 Jerry Jernigan 883-4660 |
WESTMARK HOTEL P.O. Box 130 Tok, AK 99780 Barb Abbott 883-7875 |
WILDERNESS CREATIONS HC72 - Box 800 Tok Cut-Off, AK Sue & Frank Entsminger 883-2833 |
YOUNG'S CHEVRON P.O. Box 167 Tok, AK 99780 Dave Young 883-5835 |
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YOUNG'S TIMBER, INC. P.O. Box 42 Tok, AK 99780 Joe Young 883-5060 |
TUNDRA LODGE P.O. Box 760 Tok, AK 99780 Don & Barb Abbott 883-7875 |
