The HEART Institute is in the town of Tok, 90 miles from the Canadian Border on the Alaska-Canada
Highway. Tok is the first town of substance on the Alaska road connected system. It is the junction to head south
to Valdez, Glenallen, the Matanuska Valley which includes Palmer and Wasilla, Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula. Take
the northeast road out of Tok and you will head to Delta Junction, North Pole and Fairbanks.
Tok is a small community with a population of approximately 1500 people. We have no stop lights,
no fast-food, no taxes and no city government. Tok does have an incredible Borealis forest surrounding it and it is
bordered by the Tanana River. It is a peaceful community that boasts of 20-22 hours of sunlight in the summer with
temperatures in the 70-80 degree F range and 4-5 hours of sunlight in the winter with the temperatures dipping down to
-20 to -60 below zero F.
We are the hub of traffic in the summer as everyone that comes to visit Alaska by driving travels
through Tok. We have a variety of lodging establishments including: Golden Bear Motel, Snow Shoe Motel, Westmark
Inn and Young's Motel. We have two year round restaurants: Fast Eddy's and Grumpy Grizz Cafe with a number of
seasonal dining spots as well.
Tok has 13 churches, a public library, is the home of the Alaska Gateway School District, and
an University of Alaska extension program. Local service clubs and organizations to join in Tok include the
Alaska Trailblazers Snowmachine Club, the Tok Choral Society, the Lions Club, the Tok-A-Tan Club, the Disabled American
Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Tok Chamber of Commerce. We are also known as the "Dog
Mushers Capital" and host the world famous "Race of Champions Sled Dog Race" annually.
Stop by the Tok Visitor's Center to get information about our beautiful state or click on the link
below to visit the Center's website.
