Admiralty Island National Monument in Alaska, USA - map and visitor information

Admiralty Island National Monument protects a temperate rainforest and coastal wilderness in Southeast Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. This is a Forest Service destination, with boat or floatplane access to the visitor sites described below. Choose a specific landing and activity before booking transport; a Pack Creek bear-viewing visit differs greatly from a remote cabin stay.

Highlights of the island and Pack Creek

• Watch brown bears in the Pack Creek estuary under its controlled visitor program.
• Explore the forest around Admiralty Cove on the island’s northern end.
• Experience coastal rainforest and tidal shorelines while allowing for weather-delayed travel.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Safety information

Rain, cold, tides, and transport delays require advance planning. At Pack Creek, expect a wet beach landing and bring suitable rubber boots and layers. Follow the official visitor protocols; rangers do not accompany every visitor. Arrange communication and contingency plans with your transport provider.

Visit responsibly

Do not bring dogs to Pack Creek or approach bears from the tidal flats or water. Keep food in the designated arrival-area cache while viewing. Camping is prohibited within the bear-viewing area. Rules for this specific site must not be treated as a complete rulebook for the whole monument.

Reservations and permits

Buy Pack Creek permits before arrival; public permits go on sale February 1. Arrange transport separately. Reserve a cabin separately from a viewing permit, and confirm each destination’s current charges and access requirements.

Maps, location, and access

Pack Creek lies on the island’s eastern side near the head of Seymour Canal. Admiralty Cove is a different landing in Young Bay on the northern end. Use the location and map resources on the sanctuary overview when planning Pack Creek access. Neither point is a drive-in park entrance.

Nearby parks

• Point Bridget State Park is a road-access option from Juneau at milepost 38.5 of Glacier Highway. Reaching Juneau from the monument still requires a separate boat or air journey.
• Sitka National Historical Park is a regional option on Baranof Island. Travel to Sitka by air or sea, then reach the park from downtown; there is no direct road from Admiralty Island.

Things to do

• Bear viewing: Use Pack Creek’s beach viewing spit or the one-mile route to its observation tower, subject to site instructions. Salmon runs and bear activity vary.
• Cabin-based hiking: Admiralty Cove has a 4.5-mile trail toward North Young Lake. Wet conditions can make the outing strenuous; confirm the route before committing to it.
• Coastal exploration: Plan boating around the specific landing, tide, weather, and operator arrangements rather than assuming an island shuttle service.

Facilities and accessibility

Pack Creek has no public restroom, drinking-water supply, shelter, or cell service. The separate Admiralty Cove Cabin has wooden bunks, an oil stove, a table, and an outside toilet, but no running water or electricity. Guests bring supplies and pack out waste.

About the monument

History

The Tlingit name Kootznoowoo is associated with the island’s bears and is translated as “fortress of the bears” in the official permit description. Pack Creek’s current visitor program combines Forest Service and state wildlife management.

Wildlife and habitat

Brown bears feed in the Pack Creek estuary and use salmon streams. Spruce and hemlock forest, wetland openings, and marine shorelines support other wildlife. The Admiralty Cove record identifies Sitka black-tailed deer and bald eagles; sightings depend on conditions and are not guaranteed.

Contact

Contact the monument through the listed Forest Service number, 907-586-8800, before a remote visit or an out-of-season Pack Creek trip.