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Activities |
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- Anan Bear & Wildlife Observatory
- Camping
- Hiking
- Birding/Garnet Festival
- Flightseeing
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| | | | Anan Bear & Wildlife Observatory | | |  | | |
Anan Creek is an ancient Tlingit native fishing site. The Anan estuary and Observatory is accessible by boat or plane. Anan Creek has the largest pink salmon run in Southeast Alaska, attracting significant numbers of black and brown bears to feast on the bounty.
The U.S. Forest Service has developed an Observatory, a covered deck area, that gives you an opportunity to watch the bears up close. The observation platform and photo blind overlook cascading falls where the salmon jump up river and the bears catch their meal.
There is a half mile trail leading to the observation deck. Forest Service staff at the trailhead provide safety information. Guides charted in town will transport you to the site and escort you to the observation area. |
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| Camping |
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| The most popular and easily accessible Wrangell Parks and Recreation Department and US Forest Service picnic sites, trails, and camping areas are identified below. A Wrangell Island Road Guide can be purchased from the US Forest Service Wrangell Ranger District. |
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| Hiking |
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Mount Dewey
Mt. Dewey is located almost in the center of town. Access to Mount Dewey, along Mt. Dewey Trail, is easily accessible from the ferry terminal and the downtown area. It is a short, but sometimes steep, scenic hike up the tree-covered hill and offers a great spot for picnicking and enjoying the view of town, the waterfront and surrounding area.
Volunteer Park
Just as the title implies, this multi-faceted park was constructed with volunteer help by local folks. This Park consists of a running track area (partially completed), a tennis court, three ball fields (for kids and adults), concession stand and public restrooms. For hikers and walkers, the Volunteer Park Trail, directly behind the ball fields, provides a 1.5 mile walk through Southeast Alaska rainforest country, offering forested and muskeg terrain.
Rainbow Falls / Institute Creek / North Wrangell High Country Trails
The Rainbow Falls Trailhead begins at mile 4.6 Zimovia Highway directly across the highway from the Shoemaker Bay Recreational Area. This .8 mile trail provides access to a scenic waterfall and limited vistas of Zimovia Strait. There are two observation sites along the trail. The condition of the trail ranges from fair to excellent while the terrain ranges from easy to more difficult. There are lots of boardwalk steps. Parts of the trail are often wet and trail planks may be slippery so boots or sturdy shoes are advised. One way trip time is about 45 minutes, with 500 feet of elevation gained.
The junction with the Institute Creek Trail is located at .7 mile point along the Rainbow Falls Trail. The trail travels 2.7 miles accessing extensive ridge top muskeg areas, excellent panoramic views and the Shoemaker Overlook Shelter. Trail conditions range from good to excellent, while the trail's terrain ranges from easy to most difficult. The trail traverses extensive sections of muskeg which are planked. The trail includes 100s of steps and gains 1100 feet of elevation. Waterproof boots are highly recommended for those who intend to hike off the planked trail as the terrain can be muddy and uneven.
The North Wrangell High Country Trail begins at a junction at about 2.3 miles on the Institute Trail. The Trail leads back towards town, utilizing a combination of trail and City/state road on the northern end. There are two shelters, approximately 1.3 and 2.3 miles along the trail that provide great camping opportunities. |
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| Birding/Garnet Festival |
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The Garnet Festival celebrates the arrival of Spring in Alaska! It was created and first held in April 1997 to celebrate the beginning of Spring, the beginning of the bird migration of snow geese and eagles and the spawning run of hooligan up the Stikine River.
The migration begins in mid April with over 14,000 snow geese, over 10,000 sandhill cranes and over 1600 eagles arriving on the Stikine River delta and converging on the area. The concentration of eagles is the largest reported springtime concentration in North America. Toward the end of April and early May, over 100,000 shorebirds begin arriving. Approximately 123 species are represented at any one time. In addition, the delta is swarming with seals and sea lions.
The Festival hosts numerous educational workshops such as photography, birding facts and information, children events and excursions to see the birds. The Southeast Alaska Art Festival is also held at this time – providing a variety of classes in all art mediums. Muskeg Meadows Golf Course holds the first official tournament of the year during this week as well.
There are also other nearby areas for viewing waterfowl and shorebirds, including Aaron's Creek, Bradfield River as well as freshwater lakes, bays and shorelines. Approximately 5 to 8 Whistling Swans spend a February and March on Pat's Lake just north of downtown on their annual migration north. For the advanced birder there is a challenging array of songbirds during the summer months. Wrangell has a birding list available for avid birders documenting their sightings. |
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| Flightseeing |
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| There is flightseeing among the grandest collection of 14,000-foot peaks in North America. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park has been called America’s "mountain kingdom" and seeing it from a small airplane is the only way to get a true sense of the immenseness and grandeur of this area. Here the photography is the best in Alaska...if not the nation. | |
Save time, money and stress! For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by a Wrangell vacation specialist.
Contact : Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252
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