Stikine-LeConte Wilderness

Stikine-LeConte Wilderness is a vast protected area in southeastern Alaska featuring rugged mountains, glacier-carved landscapes, and the powerful Stikine River flowing through Tongass National Forest. The terrain combines high alpine glacial zones with dense forest and wild river valleys.

The region has been inhabited and traveled by native peoples for thousands of years, who used the river as a vital passage and food source. Later, the waterway became central to fur trading and the gold rush era of the 1800s and early 1900s.

The Stikine River has served as a lifeline for local communities for generations, with people relying on its waters for food and sustenance. The region remains deeply tied to traditional ways of life that follow the rhythms of the river and seasons.

Access to this area is primarily by small boat, with rustic public cabins scattered throughout for overnight stays. Summer months offer the most reliable conditions for travel and exploration.

LeConte Glacier is North America's southernmost tidewater glacier, continuously calving icebergs directly into the bay below. This active process creates a rare natural spectacle in Alaska's southeastern reaches.

Location: Alaska

GPS coordinates: 56.83330,-132.32500

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:25