Wrangell

Wrangell is located on Wrangell Island's northwest tip, 155 miles south of Juneau and 89 miles northwest of Ketchikan. The picturesque Inside Passage harbor town - not to be confused with Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Southcentral Alaska - is known for its Tlingit culture, wildlife viewing, and river exploration on the beautiful Stikine River. Tlingit people have lived in the area for thousands of years, and examples of their culture and history can be found throughout Wrangell. The town has an impressive collection of totems, with over a dozen scattered throughout town, making for a pleasant walk. The killer whale totem that adorns Chief Shakes Grave is one of the most popular totems.

Chief Shakes Island, a grassy islet in the middle of the boat harbor reached by a pedestrian bridge, is one of the most enchanting spots and also home to the best collection of totems. In comparison to the hum of the fishing fleet that surrounds it, the tiny island with its totems, tall cottonwoods, and eagles usually perched in the branches is a quiet oasis. Shakes Community House, in the center, is an excellent example of a Tlingit tribal house, containing tools, blankets, and other cultural items. The six totems that surround the tribal house are equally impressive, all replicas of originals carved in the late 1930s.

One of Southeast Alaska's largest pink salmon runs enters Anan Bay and heads up Anan Creek, which is located 30 miles southeast of Wrangell on the mainland. You can safely observe eagles, harbor seals, black bears, and brown bears feasting on spawning humpies from an observatory and photography platform at Anan Wildlife Observatory. This is one of the few places in Alaska where black and brown bears coexist - or at the very least tolerate each other. Anan Creek is a 20-minute floatplane flight or an hour boat ride from Wrangell, and many tour companies offer full-day tours to the observatory. The more daring will book a trip to the United States.