Afognak Island State Park

Afognak Island State Park is a protected area on an island off Kodiak Island and contains old-growth Sitka spruce forests along with several bays along the northern coast. The park covers 75,047 acres and provides space for different forest and marine habitats.

The reserve was founded in 1892 as the Afognak Island Forest and Fish Culture Reserve to protect forests and fish stocks. In 1908 it was integrated into Chugach National Forest, which changed its administrative structure.

The land transfer to native corporations in 1980 under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act recognized the indigenous connections to this territory.

The area is accessible only by seaplane or boat from Kodiak and therefore requires time and planning to reach. Two rental cabins near Pillar Lake and Laura Lake are available for visitors who want to stay longer.

The area is home to Roosevelt elk, Kodiak bears, and Sitka deer, all rarely found together in one protected space. The bays also provide critical spawning grounds for several salmon species, making the area important for regional fish populations.

Location: Kodiak Island Borough

Inception: 1892

Website: https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/kodiak/afognakissp.htm

GPS coordinates: 58.35580,-152.30000

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:25