Unfortunately, our licensing agreement with AlaskaJobFinder doesn't allow us to use the most current version of their Alaska fishing job information.

Please use this town profile only for general information, as some of the information may be outdated.

Wrangell is a small town that once guarded the mouth of the Stikine River. It is the only city in Alaska to have been under the control of Russian, British, and United States armies at different times. Logging was once the principal industry in this town, but since the December 1994 closure of the sawmill, unemployment has been running at nearly 50 percent. Everything is within easy walking distance, including the town's two primary seafood processing plants, the harbor, and the Wrangell Museum, which is home to Native American artifacts and both timber and fishing paraphernalia. Totem poles are located throughout the area. If you're near the ferry dock, look for some of the town's youth selling gems collected from the shores of the Stikine River. Or you can buy a $10 permit at the museum and chip your own garnets from Wrangell Garnet Ledge, located near the mouth of the Stikine River about seven miles from town. Tour boats often stop at the site.

Like most places in Alaska, hiking, camping, and fishing are popular pursuits. Plenty of hiking and mountain biking trails exist, and twenty forest service cabins are scattered throughout the area and are available to rent. Hikers will especially want to check out Mt. Dewey, with a beautiful territorial view over Wrangell, and Rainbow Falls Trail, topped by Shoemaker Overlook at the 1,500-foot level. Cyclists can rent bicycles at the cruise ship dock.

Thirty miles south of Wrangell is Anan Creek Bear Observatory, a great place to watch bears from the safety of an observation platform. There is a forest service cabin nearby for those wishing to stay overnight. The observatory can be reached by air or water; arrangements can be made in town.

Wrangell is also a base for rafting, canoeing, kayaking, or jet-boating the mighty Stikine River, located seven miles north of town. There is good camping along the banks of the river, as well as public-use cabins.

Tours of the surrounding glaciers, rivers, and wilderness areas are available, but tend to be out of most workers' price range at $100 and up. If you're trying to save money in Alaska, these excursions may be too pricey, but if you're in Alaska to explore, give them a try.

Wrangell Information

Population: 2,276

Location: 80 miles northwest of Ketchikan

Annual precipitation: 85 inches

July averages: Temperature 56.2 F; precipitation 4.28 inches

Inexpensive lodging: First Presbyterian Church Hostel, (907) 874 -3534, P.O. Box 439, 206 Church Street. This well-run hostel costs $10/night and has showers and a kitchen. Guests sleep on foam pads. Up to five people are put in each room. The hostel is open mid-June to Labor Day. Old Sourdough Lodge, (907) 874-3613, 1104 Peninsula Drive; $65 for single or $75 for a double; good buffet dining; free pickup from ferry or airport. Roadhouse Lodge, (907) 874-2335, Zimovia Highway charges between $55 and $70, and houses a lounge-type restaurant. The Stikine Inn, (907) 874-3388, 107 Front Street, charges between $55 and $105 for rooms.

Camping: City Park, located 1.6 miles from the ferry terminal. The campground is free, but has a one-night maximum stay. The campground has picnic tables, toilets and shelters. Shoemaker Bay RV Park, located five miles south of town on Zimovia Highway, has nice facilities including picnic tables, toilets, and water. Campsites cost $6/night, or $10/night including electrical hook up. Pat Creek Public Campground is a free campground eleven miles from the ferry terminal on Zimovia Highway. It has nine units, picnic tables, and firewood. Nemo Campsites, about 15 miles from the ferry terminal, offers six free sites. Sites have fire rings and outhouses, and there is a community wood shed for campers. Alaska Waters, (907) 874-2378, is an RV park within walking distance from town offering showers for $2.50 per person per day.

Ferry terminal: Downtown

Airport: One-and-a-half miles from town

Visitors Information: Parks and Recreation Office, (907) 874-2444

Chamber of Commerce: P.O. Box 49, Wrangell, AK 99929; (907) 874-3901

Hospital: Wrangell General Hospital, (907) 874-7000

***More up-to-date and detailed town profiles and specific employment information about Wrangell can be found at Alaska Job Finder. Unfortunately, our licensing agreement with AlaskaJobFinder doesn't allow us to use the most current version of their Alaska Job information. Please use this town profile only for general information, as some of the information may be outdated.

Juneau Alaska Jobs >>>