Admiralty Island Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Island

Facts and practical information

Located in the Alaska region of the United States, Admiralty Island is a hidden gem that offers a unique and untouched wilderness experience. Known as "Kootznoowoo" by the indigenous Tlingit people, meaning "Fortress of the Bears," this island is home to one of the highest densities of brown bears in the world. With its pristine landscapes and abundant wildlife, Admiralty Island is a dream destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers.

The untouched beauty of Admiralty Island is a haven for outdoor activities. Hiking trails wind through ancient forests, leading to breathtaking viewpoints and cascading waterfalls. As you explore the island, you'll encounter an array of wildlife, including bald eagles, humpback whales, and sea lions. The island's diverse ecosystem also supports a rich variety of bird species, making it a bird watcher's paradise.

For those seeking a bit of adrenaline, kayaking and paddleboarding along the island's rugged coastline offer an up-close and personal experience with the island's marine life. The crystal-clear waters provide a window into a vibrant underwater world, where colorful fish and kelp forests thrive. Fishing enthusiasts can also try their luck in the island's pristine rivers and streams, which are teeming with salmon and trout.

Admiralty Island is not only a natural wonderland but also holds significant cultural and historical importance. The Tlingit people have lived on the island for thousands of years, and their rich heritage can be seen in the totem poles and traditional artwork that dot the landscape. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about their customs and traditions through cultural tours and interactive experiences.

To truly immerse yourself in the island's beauty, camping under the starry night sky is a must. Several campgrounds offer a chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with nature. Fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing on the shore and wake up to the calls of bald eagles soaring above.

Alternative names: Area: 1684.17 mi²Maximum elevation: 4800 ftArchipelago: Alexander ArchipelagoCoordinates: 57°41'27"N, 134°22'34"W

Location

AlaskaUnited States

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Admiralty Island Top Attractions

Admiralty Island Attractions - What to See and Explore

Admiralty Island offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Admiralty Island, Point Retreat Light, Distin Lake Shelter Cabin, Lake Alexander. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

National park
Admiralty Island
Admiralty Island is an island in the Alexander Archipelago in Southeast Alaska, at 57°44′N 134°20′W. It is 145 km long and 56 km wide with an area of 4,264.1 km², making it the seventh-largest island in the United States and the 132nd largest island in the world.
Lighthouse • Vernacular architecture
Point Retreat Light
Point Retreat Light is a lighthouse located on the Mansfield Peninsula at the northern tip of Admiralty Island in southeastern Alaska, United States. It provides aid in navigation through the Lynn Canal.
57°37'46"N • 134°24'7"W
Distin Lake Shelter Cabin
The Distin Lake Shelter Cabin is a historic backcountry shelter in the Admiralty Island National Monument. It is located on the northwest shore of Distin Lake, on the Admiralty Island Canoe Route.

Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Lake Alexander
Lake Alexander is a lake in Southeast Alaska, 3 miles Wwest of Mole Harbor, on east coast of Admiralty Island; 61 miles north-east of Sitka, Alaska in the Alexander Archipelago.
57°36'15"N • 134°22'48"W
Davidson Lake Shelter Cabin
The Davidson Lake Shelter Cabin is a historic three-sided log shelter located near Davidson Lake in the Admiralty Island National Monument.
57°42'4"N • 134°16'41"W
Big Shaheen Cabin
The Big Shaheen Cabin, in the Admiralty Island National Monument near Angoon, Alaska, is a historic log cabin that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935.
57°39'45"N • 134°8'38"W
Alexander Lake Shelter Cabin
The Alexander Lake Shelter Cabin is a historic backcountry shelter in the Admiralty Island National Monument. It is located at the eastern tip of Lake Alexander, on the Admiralty Island Canoe Route.
57°46'3"N • 134°19'19"W
Hasselborg Lake North Shelter Cabin
The Hasselborg Lake North Shelter Cabin is a historic backcountry shelter in the Admiralty Island National Monument, part of Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska.
57°39'47"N • 134°15'14"W
Hasselborg Cabin
The Hasselborg Cabin, also known as the Hasselborg Creek Cabin, is a backcountry shelter in the Admiralty Island National Monument, part of Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska.
57°38'57"N • 134°20'35"W
Lake Guerin West Shelter Cabin
The Lake Guerin Shelter Lookout/Cabin, historically the Lake Guerin West Shelter Cabin is a historic backcountry shelter in the Admiralty Island National Monument, part of the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska.
57°50'7"N • 134°18'29"W
Windfall Harbor Shelter Cabin
The Windfall Harbor Shelter Cabin is a historic backcountry shelter in the Admiralty Island National Monument, part of the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska. It was one of a number of such facilities built by Civilian Conservation Corps on the Admiralty Island Canoe Route between 1933 and 1937.
57°38'2"N • 134°27'54"W
Thayer Lake East Shelter Cabin
The Thayer Lake East Shelter Cabin is the ruined remains of a historic backcountry shelter in the Admiralty Island National Monument, part of the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska.
57°39'59"N • 134°15'22"W
Hasselborg Lake South Shelter Cabin
The Hasselborg Lake South Shelter Cabin is a historic backcountry shelter in the Admiralty Island National Monument, part of the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska.
57°39'36"N • 134°17'13"W
Lake Guerin East Shelter Cabin
The Lake Guerin East Shelter Cabin is a historic backcountry shelter in the Admiralty Island National Monument, part of the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska. It is one of a number of such facilities built by Civilian Conservation Corps on the Admiralty Island Canoe Route between 1933 and 1937.
57°33'52"N • 134°23'53"W
Mitchell Bay Shelter Cabin
The Mitchell Bay Shelter Lookout/Cabin is a historic backcountry shelter in the Admiralty Island National Monument, part of the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska. It is one of a number of such facilities built by Civilian Conservation Corps on the Admiralty Island Canoe Route between 1933 and 1937.
57°39'34"N • 134°6'0"W
Mole Harbor Shelter Cabin
The Mole Harbor Shelter Lookout/Cabin is a historic backcountry shelter in the Admiralty Island National Monument, part of the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska. It is one of a number of such facilities built by Civilian Conservation Corps on the Admiralty Island Canoe Route between 1933 and 1937.
57°35'51"N • 134°28'12"W
Thayer Lake South Shelter Cabin
The Thayer Lake South Shelter Cabin is a historic backcountry shelter in the Admiralty Island National Monument, part of the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska. It was one of a number of such facilities built by Civilian Conservation Corps on the Admiralty Island Canoe Route between 1933 and 1937.
Dam
Beaver Lake Dam
The Beaver Lake Dam, in Admiralty Island National Monument near Angoon, Alaska, is a Civilian Conservation Corps-built structure that was built in 1936. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
57°41'21"N • 134°24'43"W
Thayer Lake North Shelter Cabin
The Thayer Lake North Shelter Cabin is a historic backcountry shelter in the Admiralty Island National Monument, part of the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska. It was one of a number of such facilities built by Civilian Conservation Corps on the Admiralty Island Canoe Route between 1933 and 1937.

Day trips

Admiralty Island – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Admiralty Island, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Mount Roberts Tramway (Juneau), Last Chance Mining Museum (Juneau), St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church (Juneau).

42 milesN
Aerial tramway
Mount Roberts Tramway, Juneau
The Mount Roberts Tramway is an aerial tramway located just south of downtown Juneau in the U.S. state of Alaska. In operation since 1996, the tram makes a six-minute ascent of 3,819-foot Mount Roberts from the cruise ship docks to a height of about 1,800 feet.
42 milesN
Museum, History museum
Last Chance Mining Museum, Juneau
The Jualpa Mining Camp, also known as the Last Chance Basin Camp, is a former gold mining camp, just outside the city of Juneau, Alaska. Its main building is now operated as the Last Chance Mining Museum by the Gastineau Historical Society.
42 milesN
Church
St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Juneau
The St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Juneau, Alaska, United States, was built in 1893 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Now it is under Diocese of Alaska of the Orthodox Church in America.
42 milesN
Historical place, Vernacular architecture
Alaska Governor's Mansion, Juneau
The Alaska Governor's Mansion, located at 716 Calhoun Avenue in Juneau, Alaska, is the official residence of the governor of Alaska, the first spouse of Alaska, and their families. It was designed by James Knox Taylor.
42 milesN
Museum, Specialty museum, History museum
Alaska State Museum, Juneau
The Alaska State Museum is a museum in Juneau, Alaska, United States. The museum's collections include cultural materials from the people of the Northwest Coast, the Athabascan cultures of Interior Alaska, the Inupiaq of the north coast, and the Yup'ik of the southwest ...