Saint Lazaria Wilderness

Saint Lazaria covers 65 acres with two low summits connected by a wave-washed saddle, featuring cliffs that rise 90 feet above the Pacific Ocean.

The federal government first designated this land as a seabird refuge in 1909, granting it wilderness status in 1970 before joining Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.

The island bears the traditional name Kanasx'ée in Tlingit language, representing centuries of indigenous recognition of this significant seabird nesting location.

Visitors can observe the island exclusively by boat tours departing from Sitka, as landing on the protected territory remains restricted to authorized scientists.

The wilderness supports 250,000 breeding pairs of storm-petrels, with nesting grounds reaching densities of 7,000 birds per single acre of land.

Location: Alaska

GPS coordinates: 56.98722,-135.70472

Latest update: March 3, 2025 16:43