A complete skeleton of a 36-foot-long gray whale is on display in the exhibit hall of Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. Other activities there include wildlife viewing, hiking, kayaking, fishing, birdwatching and camping. However, the refuge can only be reached by boat or floatplane. This combination of a nature experience and a distinctive journey there provides a specific focus for planning.
Coastlines, Forests and Wildlife
Shuyak Island State Park encompasses old-growth Sitka spruce forests, miles of rugged coastline, beaches and protected waterways. Afognak Island State Park has a different landscape, where rugged topography and dense old-growth Sitka spruce forests meet salmon spawning grounds. The park is home to Kodiak brown bears, Sitka black-tailed deer, Roosevelt elk and the endangered Aleutian tern. Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge is said to have 3,500 bears.
Trail access also offers practical guidance: forest roads within Afognak Island State Park are closed to public motorized vehicles but may be used for hiking and biking. Near Island has a 4.25-mile loop trail along the island, as well as shorter and longer loop options. Because the route may change in the future due to maintenance, it is a good idea to check the latest route information before setting out.
Pasagshak Bay and its surroundings provide habitat for brown bears, whales, seals, dolphins, seabird colonies, eagles, overwintering waterfowl, shrimp and crabs. Pasagshak River State Recreation Site provides access to the lower Pasagshak River for sport fishing, camping and picnicking. The river is considered an excellent sport-fishing destination, where anglers can fish for Dolly Varden as well as sockeye, pink, chum and coho salmon.
Buskin River State Recreation Site offers a different kind of access: it is on Kodiak’s road system and is a short drive from downtown and the airport. Visitors can fish for sockeye and coho salmon in the Buskin River. Old military roads pass through the spruce forest and by structures from World War II.
Discover History and Culture
At Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park, surf-shaped cliffs, spruce forests, wildflower-covered meadows and a trout lake shape the landscape. Historical remnants include the ruins of a World War II coastal defense installation. The park was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1985.
The Russian-American Magazin is the oldest of only four surviving Russian structures in the United States. It continues to operate as the Kodiak History Museum. Permanent photo, artifact and text exhibits there tell the story of Kodiak from 1808 to the present. At the Alutiiq Museum, visitors can explore 7,800 years of Alutiiq and Sugpiaq cultural heritage; guided tours focus on Alutiiq culture and history.
The region’s architecture and past uses also tell different parts of its story. Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Kodiak was built in 1945 and has blue onion domes. Woody Island was home to the Alutiiq for centuries and served as a staging site for military communications during World War II. Kayaking and camping are also among the activities on Woody Island.
The Kodiak Crab Festival began in 1958 to promote the king crab industry. The program includes parades, a blessing of the fleet, running and kayak races, live music, and fishing and king crab competitions. The festival takes place annually from Thursday to Sunday and ends on Memorial Day. Check the specific event dates before making plans.
Getting to Kodiak
Kodiak can be reached by connecting flight via Anchorage; the flight from Anchorage takes about an hour. The Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Homer to Kodiak takes a full day, depending on the schedule, or travels overnight. Vehicles can be brought aboard, and passengers can also travel on foot. Since schedules can change, it is worth checking the current service before planning your trip.
Explore more destinations: Kodiak, Bristol Bay, Anchorage, Yakutat, Aleutian Islands, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Juneau.
Return to the main travel overview: Alaska.
