Page 68 - Breath of the Bear

JULY 2025
Enjoy the true taste of frontier Alaska in Wrangell,
located in the heart of the Tongass National Forest.
Wrangell is the third oldest community in Alaska and
the only community to be ruled by four nations: the
indigenous Tlingit, Russia, Britain and the United
States. The island is rich in native heritage, evidenced
by the rock carvings located at Petroglyph Beach, as
well as the totems at various cultural sites located
within easy walking distance from town.
Wrangell is easily accessed. There are two flights
daily from Seattle and Juneau, scheduled ferry
dockings by the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry
System and several air charters offer service to and
from remote locations. During the summer season, a
few cruise ships make regular stops at Wrangell.
Fishing, boating, biking, beach combing,
petroglyph exploration, hiking, camping, hunting,
cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are popular
pursuits. There are over 100 miles of forest roads on
Wrangell Island for access to lakes and scenic areas.
Overnight camping is available in a variety of locales
Anan Wildlife Observatory
photo by: and quality lodging is provided by B&Bs, lodges and
VC TRAVEL GUIDE hotels.
One of the biggest draws to Wrangell is the James
and Elsie Nolan Museum and Civic Center. It is a
beautiful 4000-square-foot facility with convention
hall, classrooms, auditorium, theatre, gift shop,
conservation lab, office space, media services,
museum and visitor center.
Wrangell Attractions:
•Fishing: Charter boats and rentals are available
from local businesses. Fishing for trophy size salmon
and halibut as well as shrimp, crab, snapper and a
variety of bottom fish is a must. Fish for king salmon
in May-June and silvers in July-September. Halibut
fishing is best May-September.
•Wrangell Museum: The museum offers interesting
exhibits depicting the growth of the area as well as
Native artifacts.
•Chief Shakes Island: The Tlingit have a proud
heritage in this area. The island is located one mile
south of the ferry terminal in Reliance Harbor.
•The Tribal House is a reconstruction of a high-
caste Tlingit dwelling.
•Petroglyph Beach: Located 1/2 mile north of
the ferry terminal are about 40 ancient stone carved
images denoting mysterious messages or markers
scattered among the beach rocks. It is an excellent
photo opportunity.
•Garnet Ledge: Owned and operated by the Boy
Scouts of America and the children of Wrangell. This
site is a favorite place for digging garnets.
•Stikine LeConte Wilderness: Exciting sight-
seeing excursions are available from Wrangell.
•LeConte Glacier: Sight-seeing and boat excursions
leave from Wrangell. LeConte Glacier is the fastest
receding glacier in North America. This calving of ice
produces icebergs that are home to harbor seals and
it is common to see 400 seals sunning themselves on
them at the Glacier’s face.
•Wrangell offers the visitor a myriad of majestic
sights that can be best seen with local guides.
•Anan Bear Observatory: The Anan Wildlife
Observatory is located 35 miles southeast of Wrangell
in the Tongass National Forest and is a nature lover’s
paradise. Anan Creek is one of the top pink salmon
spawning streams in Alaska, and one of the largest
concentration of black and brown bears occurs here.
A half-mile trail leads to a platform and photo blind
overlooking the cascading falls where the salmon
swim up river, carefully watched by the hungry bears.

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