Bethel
About 6,300 people.
Bethel is a hub town in western Alaska on the banks of a big river, with no roads connecting it to the rest of the state. It is a gathering place for many small Yup'ik villages nearby.
In winter the frozen river becomes an ice highway where people drive and ride snowmobiles. You can learn about Yup'ik culture, see the tundra stretch to the horizon, and watch birds arrive by the thousands in spring.
(photo coming)
The River Highway
When the Kuskokwim River freezes solid in winter, it turns into a road of ice that connects Bethel to faraway villages.
(photo coming)
Yup'ik Culture
Bethel is a center for Yup'ik people, with dancing, drumming, and traditions passed down for many generations.