The Hidden Island In Alaska That You Absolutely Must Visit
By Catherine Armstrong|Published July 07, 2018
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
Alaska is full of wild, remote places to explore, and its many islands are no exception. Here’s an island that can be difficult to reach, and it’s a somewhat dangerous place to visit, but it offers solitude and beauty. Check out Admiralty Island:
Admiralty Island is located in the Alexander Archipelago, about 40 miles from Juneau. To reach the island, you can take a boat or kayak for about 3.5 hours...
It's an apt name, considering that the island is home to around 1,600 brown bears. In fact, it has one of the most dense populations of brown bears in the world.
Just because they're busy fishing doesn't mean that you'll want to get too close. Over the years, visitors and hunters have been attacked, mauled and killed. Observe them from afar...
Bears aren't the only wildlife you'll see during your visit to this magical island. Humpback whales are common visitors in the waters around the island, as are harbor seals, sea lions, and porpoises.
Part of the Tongass National Forest (which is the country's largest national forest), the island boasts some incredible old-growth forest, including Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and western red cedar.
You'll also want to pay a visit to the small village of Angoon. It's home to just 500 or so people, but it offers fishing, tours, and hospitality, as well as lodging.
A Forest Service cabin is also a cozy, comfortable place to stay while you're on the island. Cabins rent for as little as $25/night to as much as $55/night during high season.
