Alaska's Wrangell Island, rich in Alaska Native history

rangell is a beautiful island located in the heart of the Tongass National Forest on Southeast Alaska's Inside Passage. The City of Wrangell "Gateway to the Stikine" is an authentic Alaskan town that reflects the friendly pioneer spirit of the last frontier. Wrangell is the only community in Alaska to have been ruled by four nations, the Tlingit, Russian, British and United States. Our community is rich in Alaska Native, gold rush and local history. The island has many hiking trails, historical & cultural sites and beaches for visitors and residents to enjoy.

Public facilities include; a new 9 hole, USGA regulation, golf course, shooting range, archery range, outdoor tennis courts, playgrounds, softball fields, picnic areas, camping sites, rest rooms, a Recreational Facility complex with a pool, weight room, racquetball court, exercise equipment and showers. Banking facilities, Western Union and an ATM machine are also available. Wrangell has a hospital, health clinic, dental office, pharmacy and excellent emergency medical services. U.S. Customs, U.S. Post Office, U.P.S. and Travel services are available on the island.

There are public and private meeting room facilities and the new Nolan Musuem & Civic center for meetings and conventions. Catering and other services for meetings can be arranged with local businesses. A variety of retail stores offer shopping for residents and travelers alike. Daily amenities to specialty gifts can be purchased in town. We have several restaurants, deli’s, B & B's, hotels and lodges. The Presbyterian Church operates a hostel during the summer months. There are 10 churches on the island with most major denominations represented. Our local library has a special Alaska section as well as Internet access. The Wrangell Museum has a wonderful collection that reflects Wrangell's international past and four of the oldest Tlingit Tribal House Posts known in existence. For boaters, Wrangell has two harbors, marine engine repair shops, shipyards and fuel docks.

Summer on the island is mild with temperatures ranging from the mid to upper 60's F. Fall and winter are usually wet (rain and snow) and windy with temperatures in the 20's F and 30's F. Wrangell's average annual rainfall is 80 inches. Dressing in layers is recommended and a raincoat in your day pack is always handy. Don't forget to pack your bug repellent, sunscreen and sunglasses! Our friendly city has a population of approximately 2,000 residents.

Traveling to Wrangell is easy. Alaska Airlines offers daily jet service from Seattle, Washington or Juneau, Alaska USA, the Port of Bellingham, Washington, USA is a common route to Alaska via the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system. Travelers may also choose to drive to Prince Rupert, British Colombia, Canada and board an Alaska ferry. Local airlines offer inter-island flights. The Inter Island Ferry MV Stikine Alaska's Inter-Island Ferry Authority is available for inter-island travel between Coffman Cove, Wrangell and Petersburg.

Wrangell is a great place for kids, couples and people of all ages. Alaska does not have any poisonous "to the touch" plants or ticks so walking through the forest is fairly safe. Just watch out for the occasional bear and the giant thorns on the Devils Club plants. Our waters are fairly safe too. My whole family learned to swim at the Institute Beach. The trick is to time your swimming with the tides. If it is low tide in the morning the sun shines on the beach warming the rocks. When the tide comes in that afternoon the water is fairly warm. However, I have noticed the older I get the less this theory seems to be true! Please contact us if you have any questions about Alaska, Wrangell or about the services Alaska Waters provides. Please click WRANGELL PHOTOS for a slide show of pictures taken in the area. We'll be adding more, so be sure to check back often.