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NIB destination photo
MCG destination photo

NIBMCG

Which side of the plane to sit from Nikolai Airport (Nikolai) to McGrath Airport (Mcgrath)?

Our Recommendation
8.8

Left Side of the Plane

The left side offers a superior panoramic view of the towering Alaska Range peaks and the complex, beautiful meanders of the main Kuskokwim River channel.

Left Side Highlights
8.8
🏔️

The Alaska Range

Breathtaking views of the jagged, snow-capped peaks forming the southern horizon.

🏔️

Mount Foraker

On clear days, the 17,400-foot silhouette of Mount Foraker is visible to the southeast.

🐍

Kuskokwim Meanders

The main river channel displays stunning loops and silver ribbons through the green tundra.

🌲

Denali Preserve

Aerial perspective of the vast, roadless wilderness bordering the national park.

This is a very short 'bush' flight, often lasting less than 20 minutes. Request a left-side seat for the best mountain views. Morning flights are ideal as the sun illuminates the southern peaks without creating harsh glare. Keep your camera ready from the moment of takeoff in Nikolai, as the elevation gain is minimal and the views start immediately.

Right Side Highlights
6.5
🛶

North Fork Kuskokwim

Views of the smaller, winding North Fork tributary as it approaches the confluence.

💧

Oxbow Lakes

Dozens of horseshoe-shaped lakes created by the river's changing course over centuries.

🌳

Interior Taiga

Dense carpets of black spruce and birch stretching toward the Medfra region.

🦌

Wildlife Corridors

The marshy lowlands on this side are prime territory for spotting moose in the early morning.

The right side is excellent for those interested in river morphology and spotting remote cabins or fish camps. Use polarized sunglasses to better see through the reflection of the many kettle ponds. During late summer and autumn, the changing colors of the tundra provide a vibrant patchwork of reds and golds that are particularly striking on this side.

Top Activities in Mcgrath
Route Information

Distance: 63 km (39 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 6 min

Departure: NIB (63.0186, -154.358002)

Arrival: MCG (62.95289993, -155.60600280000003)

Route Type: Domestic

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