United States (Alaska) Alaska Wrangell
Ships berth at the City Dock, at the north end of downtown Wrangell, a short walk from Front Street and the Nolan Center.
From the City Dock you walk to the Nolan Center, with the museum and visitor centre, in about 7 minutes. Shakes Island is 15 minutes away.
Wrangell, at the northern tip of Wrangell Island near the mouth of the Stikine River, grew around a Russian stockade built in 1834 next to a Tlingit village, and it has since been under Russian, British and American rule. Today it is a small fishing town of about 2,100 people, visited mainly by small and mid-size cruise ships. They berth at the City Dock, at the north end of downtown, which takes ships up to about 290 m (950 feet) long. Larger ships can anchor in front of the dock and take passengers ashore by tender. The town centre is a few minutes' walk away.
The Nolan Center, about 500 m from the dock, houses the visitor centre and the Wrangell Museum. Along Front Street are Kiks.ádi Totem Park and the footbridge to Shakes Island, with the Chief Shakes Tribal House, a replica of a Tlingit clan house. Petroglyph Beach State Historic Park, about 1.6 km (1 mile) north of the dock, has more than 40 rock carvings, best seen at low tide, and a short trail climbs Mount Dewey to a viewpoint. Local operators run jet boat trips up the Stikine River to Shakes Glacier, boat trips to LeConte Glacier and, in July and August, trips to the Anan Wildlife Observatory, where black and brown bears fish for salmon.
From the ship to the centre
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Downtown on footFrom the City Dock along Front Street to the Nolan Center (about 500 m), Kiks.ádi Totem Park, the shops and cafés. Flat.5-10 minFree
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Shakes IslandAlong Front Street and Shakes Street to the footbridge over the harbour to Shakes Island and the Chief Shakes Tribal House, about 1.1 km.15 minFree
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Petroglyph BeachNorth along Stikine Avenue and Evergreen Avenue to the state historic park, about 1.6 km. A boardwalk leads to a viewing deck.20-25 minFree
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Tender ashoreShips anchored in front of the City Dock land passengers at the summer float on the inside of the dock, next to downtown.VariesIncluded
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Taxi and e-bikesOne local taxi company, e-bike rental and app-based scooters. Useful for the Rainbow Falls trail, about 8 km south by road.10-15 minSet by company
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Jet boats and floatplanesLocal operators run trips from the town's docks to the Stikine River, LeConte Glacier and Anan. Book ahead in summer.Half or full daySet by operator
Map of Wrangell
Climate
Average daily temperatureCool and wet: average temperatures of about 14 °C in July and August and 0-1 °C in winter. June is the driest month (about 110 mm); September and October bring 290-350 mm. May to August are the best months.
Cruises from Wrangell
Seattle· at sea ·KetchikanSitkaIcy Strait Point (Hoonah)Haines· at sea ·Wrangell· at sea ·
Victoria (British Columbia)SeattleVancouver· at sea ·KetchikanSitka· at sea ·SkagwayJuneauWrangell· at sea ·Victoria (British Columbia)SeattleNo cruises match these filters. Try another month or clear the filters.
Tips for your call
- Anan bearsPermits are required from 5 July to 25 August and are limited. Guided trips by boat or floatplane include them. It is a full-day trip: check it fits the call.
- Chief Shakes Tribal HouseShakes Island is open at all times. The house opens only on request for a guided visit, arranged with the Wrangell Cooperative Association.
- Wrangell MuseumIn the Nolan Center: $12 for non-residents, free for children 12 and under. From April to September it opens Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 17:00.
- Petroglyph BeachGo at low tide, when more carvings are uncovered. Do not touch or rub the originals; use the replicas on the viewing deck for rubbings.
- Mount DeweyThe trail starts about 750 m from the dock and climbs steps and boardwalk to a viewpoint. Slippery when wet; not for people with knee or hip problems.
- RainWrangell is wet: about 110 mm of rain in June and close to 300 mm in September. Bring a rain jacket, layers and shoes for wet boardwalks.
Accessibility
The walk from the City Dock along Front Street to the Nolan Center is short and flat. Petroglyph Beach has an accessible boardwalk to its viewing deck. The Mount Dewey and Rainbow Falls trails have many steps and are not suitable for people with reduced mobility. Tenders and the Anan trail may be difficult.
In pictures
