- Akiak is a city in the Bethel Census Area of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is located on the west bank of the Kuskokwim River, about 42 miles northeast of Bethel. The city has a population of approximately 340 people, mostly of Yup'ik Eskimo descent. Akiak is primarily a subsistence-based community, with fishing and hunting being important economic activities. The city is accessible by boat or small plane, as there are no roads connecting it to other cities in the region. Akiak is known for its dog mushing tradition and hosts an annual sled dog race called the Akiak Dash.