ZIP Code 99757 in Lake Minchumina, AK

A Wilderness Settlement

Lake Minchumina sits in the heart of interior Alaska, roughly 140 miles northwest of Denali National Park. This remote settlement on the shores of Alaska's 15th largest lake spans 886 square miles of wilderness territory in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area. With just 30 year-round residents scattered across this vast landscape, it's one of Alaska's most isolated communities.

Seasonal Population Patterns

Half the homes here sit empty most of the year. Of 39 total housing units, 20 are used seasonally or occasionally. That 51% vacancy rate tells the story of Lake Minchumina's dual nature: a handful of permanent residents who endure the long Alaska winters, and a larger group of seasonal cabin owners who arrive for summer fishing, hunting, and recreation. The population swells during warm months when bush planes land on the lake and snowmachines give way to boats.

PO Box Only Zone

This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across the 886 square mile territory. The post office maintains 27 PO Boxes for 19 occupied households, a 1.42 adoption rate that shows boxes serve not just year-round residents but seasonal property owners, hunting lodges, and people from surrounding areas. One rural carrier route provides limited delivery, but most mail goes to boxes. General Delivery is also available, common in remote Alaska communities.

Bush Alaska Isolation

The community isn't accessible by road. Bush planes and winter trails are the primary connections to the outside world. This isolation shapes everything about postal service here. Mail arrives by air, and residents coordinate trips to the post office around plane schedules and weather. During breakup and freeze-up seasons when neither planes nor snowmachines can operate reliably, the community can be cut off for weeks.

Community Demographics

Of the 30 residents, the median age is 49.5 years. These aren't retirees or tourists but working-age Alaskans who've chosen subsistence living in the bush. Small numbers in the labor force show limited formal employment: 4 work in public administration, 7 in transportation and warehousing (likely related to aviation), and just 5 people total commute to work. Most income comes from seasonal work, subsistence hunting and fishing, or remote employment.

Postal History

Lake Minchumina has been part of the postal system since before October 2004, when ZIP code tracking began. The abbreviated alias "LK Minchumina" was added in May 2005 as an acceptable mailing name. Both forms work for addressing mail, though Lake Minchumina remains the primary name.

Mailing to Lake Minchumina

Standard PO Box format:

Recipient Name
PO Box [number]
Lake Minchumina, AK 99757

Alternative city name:

Recipient Name
PO Box [number]
LK Minchumina, AK 99757

General Delivery (for those without boxes):

Recipient Name
General Delivery
Lake Minchumina, AK 99757

Street Name Patterns

The single street name, Airport Way, reflects the community's complete dependence on aviation for access.