Prince of Wales Island
Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska is a large, rain-soaked landmass known for fjords and old-growth forests. It’s a cultural heartland for the Tlingit people and offers remote hiking, fishing, and wilderness experiences.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Alaska |
| Subregion | Southeast Alaska |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| County | Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area |
| District | Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area |
| Timezone | AmericaAnchorage |
| Latitude | 55.2 |
| Longitude | -133.15 |
| Maps |
5:13 PM LOCAL TIMEPrince of Wales Island sprawls across roughly 4,300 square miles of Southeast Alaska — a complex mosaic of fjords, glacial valleys, and mature temperate rainforests. Its isolated position means few roads cross the island, encouraging exploration by ferry, floatplane, and multi-day hikes. The island is a cultural center for the Tlingit Nation, with several totem parks, tribal villages, and carved cedar art; visitor centers and interpretive sites provide context for native history and contemporary life. Outdoors-focused travelers come for hiking and mountain routes, salmon and halibut sportfishing, and the chance to encounter sitka spruce and western hemlock in a rain-drenched subtropical climate. Coastal villages, ferry routes, and limited trail networks reveal a landscape shaped by glacial carving, tidal currents, and seasonal storm silts; months of fall and winter bring powerful weather, while summers unlock relatively drier conditions and midnight sun in the north.
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