Mary's Igloo

Alaska's ghost towns are the most extreme on the continent — total commitment, total abandonment, everything preserved by the cold.

Mary's Igloo (Qawiaraq or Aġviġnaq in Iñupiaq) is an abandoned village located in the Nome Census Area of the Unorganized Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska, now used as a fish camp. Many former residents and their descendants currently live in nearby Teller or the next largest community, Nome.

The on-the-ground condition of Mary's Igloo is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Mary's Igloo is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.