“Kodiak, the principal town on
Kodiak Island (87 miles south of the Kenai Peninsula), and home to Alaska's
largest fishing fleet, was the capital of Russian America from 1783 to 1799.
For a taste of Alaska's Russian heritage, visit the Russian
Orthodox Church, and the Baranof Museum
(located in Alaska's oldest wooden structure, a historic fur storehouse). Over 200 species of birds have been recorded
in the Kodiak
Archipelago, and bird watching is a main attraction. A special wildlife
viewing opportunity is found at Miller
Point within Ft. Abercrombie
State Historic Park. During the early summer, gray,
humpback,
and mink whales can be spotted as they migrate through nearby Whale Passage.
Fort Abercrombie provides a lush forest setting for picnics and camping. The Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge was
established in 1941 to protect the habitat of the brown bear.
Besides the brown bear there are only five other native land mammals on Kodiak:
red
fox, river
otter, short-tailed
weasel, little
brown bat, and tundra
vole. Black-tailed
deer, beaver
and several other species of mammals have been successfully introduced to the
island.”
Logistics: Kodiak (PADQ) is a 30-45 minute flight from Anchorage or the Kenai Peninsula. It has a paved surface airport.
Click here for additional activities and lodging information.