Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area preserves wartime sites on Amaknak Island near Unalaska, Alaska. Fort Schwatka and the visitor center introduce both military history and the experiences of the Unangax̂ people. Ounalashka Corporation manages the land, with technical assistance from the National Park Service.

Highlights of the historic area

Explore Fort Schwatka using the self-guided tour.
See the visitor center's reconstructed radio room and wartime exhibits.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Topic	Details
Entrance fees	There is no NPS entrance fee, but a landowner permit is required. The daily rate is USD 10 for an individual or USD 15 for a family. Shareholders and descendants qualify for free permits.
Opening hours	Contact the center before arranging a visit.
Seasonal access and closures	Wind, fog, rain, and snow can affect outdoor visits and transport. Confirm air or ferry arrangements separately.

Safety information

Sharp wartime stakes can be hidden in vegetation. Tunnel entrances and wooden floors can be unstable. Fog can conceal cliff edges. Stay on established roads and trails, supervise children, and carry warm layers and waterproof clothing. Read the site safety guidance before visiting.

Visit responsibly

Obtain permission before entering the owner's land. Stay on established routes around fragile structures. Treat places associated with forced displacement and wartime loss with care.

Reservations and permits

Get an Ounalashka land use permit before entering Mount Ballyhoo. Contact the corporation about educational or commercial use. Do not assume that a national park pass replaces this permission.

Maps, location, and access

Amaknak is connected to Unalaska, but reaching these islands from mainland Alaska requires air or water travel. The visitor center is at 2716 Airport Beach Road. Allow for weather delays. Consult the official transport guidance when planning the journey.

Explore the wartime landscape

Start with the visitor center exhibits about the Aleutian campaign and the relocation of Alaska Native communities.
Follow the Fort Schwatka tour to understand the coastal defense landscape. Access to ruins does not make tunnels safe to enter.

Facilities and accessibility

The visitor center has an elevator and accessible restrooms. Its gravel parking area has no designated accessible spaces. The route to the entrance includes a drain dip, and the door opens manually. Fort Schwatka and Mount Ballyhoo have no restrooms or water. Mountain roads are uneven and rutted. Review the facility access details for specific needs.

About the historic area

History

World War II brought military conflict and forced displacement to the Aleutians. Some Unangax̂ people became prisoners of Japanese forces. Others were removed by the U.S. government to evacuation camps, where harsh conditions caused suffering and deaths. The visitor center occupies a former Navy weather building.

Contact

Call the Aleutian Islands WWII Visitor Center at 907-581-9944. Contact Ounalashka Corporation at 907-581-1276 about land use permits.

	Temp max	Temp min	Rain	Snow
Jan	3 °C 37 °F	1 °C 34 °F	49 mm 1.9 in	22 cm 8.7 in
Feb	3 °C 37 °F	1 °C 34 °F	56 mm 2.2 in	23 cm 9.1 in
Mar	3 °C 37 °F	1 °C 34 °F	47 mm 1.9 in	22 cm 8.7 in
Apr	4 °C 39 °F	2 °C 36 °F	45 mm 1.8 in	8 cm 3.1 in
May	5 °C 41 °F	4 °C 39 °F	50 mm 2.0 in	1 cm 0.4 in
Jun	7 °C 45 °F	6 °C 43 °F	47 mm 1.9 in	0 cm 0.0 in
Jul	9 °C 48 °F	8 °C 46 °F	85 mm 3.3 in	0 cm 0.0 in
Aug	11 °C 52 °F	10 °C 50 °F	88 mm 3.5 in	0 cm 0.0 in
Sep	10 °C 50 °F	9 °C 48 °F	83 mm 3.3 in	0 cm 0.0 in
Oct	8 °C 46 °F	7 °C 45 °F	114 mm 4.5 in	0 cm 0.0 in
Nov	6 °C 43 °F	4 °C 39 °F	86 mm 3.4 in	4 cm 1.6 in
Dec	4 °C 39 °F	3 °C 37 °F	85 mm 3.3 in	16 cm 6.3 in

Aleutian Islands World War II National Monument in Alaska, USA - map and visitor information