West Chichagof-Yakobi Wilderness

West Chichagof-Yakobi Wilderness is a protected area in Southeast Alaska featuring mountains, deep fjords, and ancient Sitka spruce forests. The land stretches along the Pacific Coast with dense, undisturbed forest growth and dramatic coastal features.

The area received federal protection in 1980 through the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, following a proposal by local teachers. This legislation preserved extensive forest lands from commercial development.

The Tlingit people have lived in this region for generations, relying on its fish, wildlife, and plants as central to their way of life.

You can only reach this area by boat or floatplane since no roads connect to it, so plan your transportation carefully. Anyone staying overnight must arrange permits beforehand.

The area contains four Forest Service rental cabins where visitors can watch sea otters, seals, and brown bears in their natural surroundings. These cabins provide rare chances to observe wildlife from remote coastal locations.