What happened to Lewis Family on The Last Alaskans? Now?

The Lewis family—Ray, Cindy, and their daughters Molly, Emma, and Sarah—captured hearts on the hit reality TV series The Last Alaskans, which showcased their self-reliant lifestyle deep within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). However, after Season 2, the family quietly disappeared from the show, prompting many viewers to wonder: what happened to the Lewis family?

The Lewis family was cut from the series due to a lifestyle shift, as their transition to a mobile, river-based lifestyle aboard a houseboat no longer aligned with the show’s focus on year-round, land-based survival within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Ray Lewis had completed his handcrafted houseboat and began spending more time navigating Alaska’s waterways instead of residing full-time in the refuge. Because The Last Alaskans focused on land-based survival within ANWR, the producers made the decision to continue with families who still met that criteria.

Meet the Lewis Family: Alaska’s Off-Grid Pioneers

For more than 30 years, the Lewis family has lived a unique lifestyle far removed from modern society. They are one of the few families legally permitted to reside in the 19-million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge—an untouched wilderness home to caribou, bears, and extreme conditions.

Ray and Cindy Lewis: From Michigan to the Alaskan Bush

Ray Lewis, born in Michigan in October 1961, moved to Alaska in 1983 to pursue a life of freedom and wilderness living. He later met Cindy, originally from Port Huron, who shared his deep respect for traditional living. Cindy was born with blepharophimosis, ptosis, epicanthus inversus (BPEI) syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects the eyes. All three of their daughters inherited the condition, but it never stopped the family from thriving in one of the harshest environments in the world.

Subsistence Living in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The Lewis family built their own off-grid log cabin deep in the refuge. They lived by the rhythms of the land—hunting, trapping, fishing, and gathering through all seasons. During winters that plunged to 40 degrees below zero, they used moss insulation between logs to keep the cabin warm. Ray often spent long days tracking moose, while Cindy and the daughters handled daily chores and resource gathering.

Though Cindy came from a more urban upbringing, she fully embraced life in the bush and passed on survival skills to her daughters, who became equally adept at navigating the Alaskan wild.

In addition to their subsistence lifestyle, the Lewis family found joy in simple seasonal traditions. On holidays like Thanksgiving, they often celebrated with casual target shooting—an activity they described as both relaxing and competitive. The entire family participated, sharing laughs, friendly challenges, and time together outdoors. It was another way they stayed connected to each other and to the land, even in the harshest conditions.

Trapping was another essential part of life in the refuge, requiring both knowledge and adaptability. Beavers, in particular, posed a unique challenge. Unlike land animals, they left no clear tracks, making it harder to determine where to place traps. In one episode, the daughters discussed the added difficulty of setting beaver traps, emphasizing the need to read subtle signs in the environment. It was a quiet reminder that success in the wilderness often depended on patience, close observation, and experience.

Why Did the Lewis Family Leave The Last Alaskans?

The Lewis family made their debut on The Last Alaskans during its premiere season in May 2015, quickly becoming fan favorites for their quiet strength, resourcefulness, and deep-rooted connection to the Alaskan wilderness.

While the show captured many aspects of their off-grid lifestyle, it also offered emotional glimpses into their personal lives. In one memorable scene, the Lewis daughters took part in a long-standing family tradition during a snowy walk in the forest. The activity involved knocking snow from tree branches to allow beams of light to break through—something they had enjoyed since early childhood. This playful custom, once led by Ray when the girls were young, had evolved into a shared experience embraced by the daughters themselves. It symbolized the family’s deep-rooted bond with their surroundings and with one another, capturing the quiet joys that defined their life in the refuge.

A separate winter journey captured one of the most emotional moments in the Lewis family’s story—highlighting the reality of change as the daughters prepared to leave the refuge and step into a new phase of life. During this poignant moment, Molly Lewis—then 21—reflected on the weight of leaving behind the only life they had ever known in the refuge. She acknowledged how much the experience shaped their family, expressing that being out there had brought them closer together.

Emma, 19 at the time, shared her emotional conflict about the transition, describing how she felt torn between the familiarity of the wilderness and the opportunities waiting in town.

Sarah, the youngest at 17, added her own perspective, noting that what she would miss most was simply spending time with family in the place they had returned to every winter since she could remember.

These reflections appeared in Season 1, Episode 7: Nothing Lasts Forever, which aired on July 5, 2015. The episode followed Ray Lewis as he quietly prepared for life without his daughters in the refuge, marking a pivotal moment in the family’s journey. Through emotional conversations and farewell routines, the episode captured the bittersweet transition as Molly, Emma, and Sarah looked ahead to new lives beyond the wilderness they had always called home.

After Season 2, the Lewis family did not return to The Last Alaskans. Their departure appeared to be tied to a shift in the family’s lifestyle. As Ray transitioned to living on a handcrafted houseboat and began spending more time exploring Alaska’s waterways, the family no longer aligned with the show’s focus on land-based survival within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. As a result, the series moved forward with families who continued to reside in the refuge year-round.

Where Is the Lewis Family Now? [2025 Update]

For several years, Ray and Cindy navigated the Yukon River, anchoring at favorite fishing and hunting spots. Ray, now in his 60s, continues to live by the skills he’s honed over decades—repairing engines, harvesting fish and game, and thriving in remote areas. Cindy remains deeply involved in bushcraft, preparing meals from foraged and preserved ingredients aboard their compact kitchen space.

As of 2025, they appear to be spending much of their time in Fairbanks—possibly due to age, logistics, or to be closer to family—though they remain rooted in the values that defined their time in the refuge.

Each of the Lewis daughters has followed her own path:

• Molly Lewis, the eldest, has carved out a life that blends adventure and community engagement. She previously worked as a counselor and riding instructor at Camp Li-Wa and later became a wilderness guide with Eagle Cap Wilderness Outfitters in Oregon, where she led hiking and pack trips in remote areas. Molly eventually returned to Alaska, and as of 2025, she is married and living in Fairbanks. She remains deeply involved in the outdoor lifestyle, drawing on her upbringing in the refuge to guide and educate others in wilderness living.
• Emma Lewis, the middle daughter, stayed in Alaska and has emerged as a rising figure in the dog-mushing community. In 2025, she competed in the Yukon Quest 300, placing third in the 200-mile division—an impressive achievement for her rookie year. She trained closely with Joanna Jagow and continues to build her skills and presence in Alaska’s sled-dog racing scene.
• Sarah Lewis, the youngest, spent several years living on the houseboat, learning firsthand the skills of subsistence life.

The Lewis family may have left the spotlight, but their story continues off-screen—one still grounded in self-reliance, purpose, and deep ties to the land. Cindy and Emma have also been mentioned in Ashley Selden’s blog, assisting with transportation and logistics in Fairbanks—underscoring the enduring bonds formed through life in the Alaskan wilderness.