Alaska Rainforest Islands + You = Adventure

Canoeing & Kayaking

Canoe Surrounded by water, the canoeing and kayaking opportunities around the Rainforest Islands are nearly endless. Travel along protected waterways, river deltas, and into icy fjords. Kayaking is a great way to see birds and animals along the shoreline, too. Local outfitters offer half-day to multi-day kayak trips. Experienced paddlers may consider renting boats and creating their own adventure.

Sarkar Lakes Canoe Route: This canoe trail includes Sarkar and Upper Sarkar Lakes, Finger, Raven and Long Lakes and passes through forest and muskeg; there is also a Forest Service cabin on the lake. There are a series of boardwalk portages between the lakes.

LeConte Glacier: A 12-mile icy fjord filled with spectacular scenery and abundant marine and bird viewing opportunities make a kayak trip to LeConte Glacier an unforgettable experience. Guided tours or drop-offs can be arranged from Petersburg.

Kayak

Camping

Living amid the great outdoors, whether in your own RV, or pitching a tent, the Rainforest Islands have an extensive network of remote cabin and shelters, public

and commercial campgrounds, and RV parks for you to call home. The US Forest Service has over 25 remote cabins available for rent in our area; these cabins are often located on our most popular lakes and streams, and many are only accessible via boat or floatplane. For more information, contact us.

Fishing

Salmon In Alaska, you can enjoy both kinds of sport fishing: saltwater and freshwater. The cold deep waters of the Rainforest Islands offer some of the best saltwater fishing in the state. All five species of salmon are seasonally abundant throughout the islands, including King, Sockeye, Coho, Chum, Pink, as are halibut, lingcod, and other bottom species. Choose from daylong charters or book a weeklong stay at a wilderness lodge. Either way it'll be one of the most exciting adventures you'll ever have. Most communities start the season with a spring fishing derby for king salmon or halibut. Check our calendar for dates and locations.

For freshwater enthusiasts, salmon and trout are locally abundant, and there are sport fishing opportunities throughout the islands. There are excellent fly-fishing streams, such as the Thorne River on Prince of Wales Island, to challenge even the seasoned angler. Or, hike, boat or fly to a remote fishing spot, and discover you have the whole creek to yourself. For more information about sport fishing opportunities in the Rainforest Islands, contact us.

Golf

Muskeg Meadows, a 2,950-yard nine-hole course at the Wrangell Golf Club, was the first regulation course in Southeast Alaska. The facility includes a covered 8-station, 250-yard practice range as well as a practice putting green. There is a unique clubhouse/pro shop, where the coffee pot is always on, and strangers are welcomed by the friendliest people in Southeast. Standard golf supplies are available for purchase, and clubs and pull carts are available to rent. For more information, contact the Wrangell Golf Club at 907-874-4653.

Biking and Hiking

Biking and hiking are one of the best ways to experience the Rainforest Islands. There are numerous in-town walks, nearby bike trails, as well as possibilities for multi-day trips. Hiking supplies are available in major towns, and both Petersburg and Wrangell have local bike shops. Check out our “Know Before You Go” section or tips on what to wear for our temperate climate.

Several local trails and recreation cabins are wheelchair accessible. For more information, contact us, or visit the Southeast Alaska Trails site for suggested routes and maps.

Three Lakes Trail: Located about 15 miles south of Petersburg, the 4.5 mile

Three Lakes Trail is a popular day trip. The boardwalk trail loops around four small lakes across wildflower-covered muskeg and wooded areas, and there is an optional side trip to Ideal Cove on Frederick Sound. Three of the lakes have picnic tables and a small rowboat available. For more information, contact the Petersburg Visitor’s Center.

Jet Boats

Experience the “wild side” of the Stikine River in a jet boat. Described by naturalist John Muir as “a 100 mile long Yosemite”, the Stikine River is the fastest navigable free-flowing river in NorthAmerica. Little has changed on the Stikine River since John Muir's visit. It is an untamed wilderness to this day and protected by the Wilderness Act to ensure it will remain that way in the future. Travel past snow-capped mountains, icy glaciers, and thundering waterfalls on a trip, many consider to be the highlight of their Alaska vacation. For more information, contact the Wrangell Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.