Angoon AlaskaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Angoon, Alaska.
1. Admiralty Island National Monument
PRISTINE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE
Admiralty Island National Monument serves as the gateway from Angoon to explore one of Alaska's most magnificent protected areas. The monument is home to the highest concentration of brown bears in North America, earning it the Tlingit name 'Kootznoowoo' meaning 'Fortress of the Bears'. Visitors can experience pristine wilderness with old-growth rainforest, diverse wildlife, and stunning coastal views.
2. Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area
ICONIC BROWN BEAR WATCHING
Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area offers visitors a rare opportunity to observe Alaskan brown bears in their natural habitat. Located near Angoon, this protected wildlife sanctuary provides guided tours where visitors can safely watch bears fishing for salmon and interacting in their natural environment. The viewing platforms and designated areas ensure both visitor safety and minimal disturbance to the bears.
3. St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church
HISTORIC RUSSIAN ARCHITECTURE
The St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church represents an important piece of Angoon's cultural and religious heritage. The historic church features traditional Russian Orthodox architecture with distinctive onion domes and colorful iconography that reflects Alaska's Russian colonial past. Visitors can appreciate both the architectural significance and the church's role in the community's spiritual life.
4. Danger Point Trail
SCENIC COASTAL HIKING
Danger Point Trail offers hikers a spectacular journey through the diverse coastal landscapes surrounding Angoon. The trail winds through old-growth forests before emerging onto dramatic clifftop viewpoints overlooking the waters where whales and other marine life can often be spotted. Hikers are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of Chatham Strait and the surrounding islands.
5. Hasselborg Lake
PRISTINE WILDERNESS LAKE
Hasselborg Lake is a pristine freshwater lake located in the heart of Admiralty Island accessible from Angoon. The lake offers excellent opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and wildlife viewing in a serene wilderness setting. Surrounded by lush forests, the lake serves as a habitat for numerous species including bald eagles, bears, and various waterfowl.
6. Fortress of the Bear
BEAR RESCUE CENTER
Fortress of the Bear is a rescue center located near Sitka that provides a safe haven for orphaned and injured Alaskan brown bears. Visitors can observe these magnificent creatures up close while learning about bear conservation efforts and the challenges facing these animals in the wild. The center features naturalistic habitats and informative presentations about bear ecology and behavior.
7. Tongass National Forest
AMERICA'S LARGEST NATIONAL FOREST
Tongass National Forest surrounds Angoon and is America's largest national forest, encompassing 16.7 million acres of temperate rainforest. This vast wilderness area features ancient trees, glacial fjords, salmon streams, and diverse ecosystems that support abundant wildlife. Visitors can explore numerous hiking trails, fishing spots, and camping areas throughout this magnificent forest.
8. Beavertail Road Historical Tour
CULTURAL HERITAGE WALK
Beavertail Road Historical Tour offers a self-guided journey through Angoon's rich cultural heritage and history. Visitors can observe traditional Tlingit buildings, totem poles, and important cultural monuments while learning about the area's indigenous history. The tour provides insights into the 1882 U.S. Navy bombardment of the village and the resilience of the Tlingit community.
9. Favorite Bay Lodge
LUXURY WILDERNESS RETREAT
Favorite Bay Lodge offers a premium wilderness retreat experience near Angoon with upscale accommodations in a spectacular natural setting. The lodge specializes in guided fishing excursions, wildlife viewing tours, and customized adventures in the surrounding wilderness. Guests enjoy gourmet dining featuring fresh local seafood and Alaskan specialties prepared by professional chefs.
10. Angoon Beachcombing
COASTAL TREASURE HUNTING
Angoon's extensive shorelines provide exceptional beachcombing opportunities for nature enthusiasts and treasure hunters. Visitors can explore miles of pristine beaches looking for unique shells, driftwood, sea glass, and other natural treasures washed ashore by the tides. The ever-changing beaches also offer excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting and photography.
11. Whale Watching Tours
MARINE WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS
Whale watching tours from Angoon offer unforgettable encounters with the magnificent marine mammals that inhabit the surrounding waters. Tours typically showcase humpback whales, orcas, porpoises, and other marine life in their natural habitat. Experienced guides provide fascinating information about whale behavior, migration patterns, and conservation efforts.
12. Angoon Fishing Charters
WORLD-CLASS FISHING ADVENTURES
Angoon Fishing Charters provide guided fishing excursions in the productive waters surrounding Admiralty Island. Anglers can target a variety of species including all five Pacific salmon species, halibut, rockfish, and lingcod depending on the season. Expert guides share local knowledge and techniques to help visitors experience the legendary Alaskan fishing that has made this region famous.
13. Tracy Arm Fjord
GLACIAL FJORD EXPLORATION
Tracy Arm Fjord is a spectacular glacial fjord accessible by boat tour from Angoon or nearby ports. The narrow, twisting fjord features towering cliffs, numerous waterfalls, and floating icebergs calved from the magnificent Sawyer Glaciers at its terminus. Wildlife sightings often include harbor seals, eagles, bears, and whales against a backdrop of breathtaking scenery.
14. Mendenhall Glacier
ACCESSIBLE GLACIER EXPERIENCE
Mendenhall Glacier is a 13-mile-long glacier located just 12 miles from downtown Juneau and accessible as a day trip from Angoon. Visitors can explore the glacier's visitor center, numerous hiking trails, and observation areas that provide spectacular views of the ice field and its surrounding landscape. The glacier offers opportunities to witness dramatic ice caves, calving events, and the effects of climate change on these ancient ice formations.
15. Alaska State Museum
ALASKA'S CULTURAL HERITAGE
The Alaska State Museum in Juneau showcases the rich cultural history and natural heritage of Alaska through extensive exhibits and collections. The museum features artifacts from Alaska Native cultures, Russian colonial history, and the state's gold rush era alongside natural history displays. Visitors traveling from Angoon can explore this comprehensive introduction to Alaska's diverse heritage during day trips to the state capital.