Kodiak Things to Do Tips by RickinDutch Top 5 Page for this destination

Sports Fishing

Kodiak is well known for great sportfishing. You can get on a charter boat for the day for about $250 each and fish the local ocean waters or you can bring your own pole (or buy one locally) and fish the numerous rivers on Kodiak's road system.

Some local favorite creeks are the Buskin River (very close to the airport) and the American River about 30 minutes south. King Salmon run from April to August, Sockeye (reds) in June and July, Pinks from July to September, and Dolly Varden almost year round.

Nonresident fishing licenses run $20 for a day, $35 for 3 days, 7 days for $55.

A favorite of mine is to fish ocean run king salmon on a day charter. In August of 08 I spent a half day on the FV Three Bears, a great experience. A larger boat with plenty of room and ammenities.

Visit the Coast Guard Base

Kodiak is home to the country's largest USCG Base, home to several cutters, a buoy tender and an aviation/search and rescue base. Over 5000 folks are based out of Kodiak USCG.

I've been on the USCG base here in Kodiak many times times but I just called there to make sure nothing had changed (487-5555). At the gate they will direct you to the security office for a day pass. You do need a specific destination/purpose for going onto the base. If you were based here before and some time has passed, security will also help you find where you worked and lived back then, because you won't recognize much as it is always growing and changing.

Just need a picture ID and vehicle registration/rental agreement. Good luck and have fun!

Directions: Just south of the Kodiak Airport

Drive out the road

Kodiak has an amazing stretch of paved road heading south out of town for 40 miles. At the end of those very scenic forty miles you come to a T. A left turn takes you to Chiniak and a right takes you to Pasagshak and the rocket launch facility. Chiniak calls itself a town but there isn't anything you'd recognize as such. A post office and a school and a library. No stores but quite a few homes.

It is a wonderful feeling of freedom to be able to hop in the car and go for a drive, especially after 18 years living on a much smaller island with a whole lot less road.

All along the way are secluded beaches with spectacular vistas and miles of shoreline to beach comb. Lots of creeks and rivers with salmon. Bears. Sheep. Deer.

We've made the drive several times now. Our favorites (so far) is Myrtle Beach just before your reach Chiniak, and Fossil Beach at the end of the Pasagshak road.

Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park

We live about a mile from this beautiful park and it is a favorite walk of ours. The park is a huge, dense, grove of Sitka Spruce on the waters edge with many trails, Lake Gertrude, wildflower meadows, World War II bunkers and artillery pieces. We discover something new each time we go.

Our favorite walk so far is the 2.5 mile trail around Lake Gertrude. The midway point has a few picnic benches right on the ocean. There are other picnicing areas around the lake.

We have seen a few black tailed deer and signs of recent bear activity (a euphamism for bear poop). For being so close to town it is amazing how often we haven't seen another soul on the trail.

There is a small number of campsites here, mainly designed for tent camping and smaller RVs. Larger RVs should try Buskin River close to the airport.

There is a WWII museum inside a bunker but we are always there after it is closed.

Directions: About 4 miles from the Ferry Dock. Half a mile north of Mill Bay on Rezanof Drive. Entrance on the right.

Website: http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/units/kodiak/ftaber.htm

The Alutiiq Museum

A newer building set on a hill two blocks from the ferry terminal, the Alutiiq Museum has an outstanding collection of pre- and post contact Alutiiq artifacts. As well as a museum it has an extensive archaelogical repository and is quickly becoming the center of preserving Alutiiq culture and language.

This summer (2008) they have on display on good portion of Pinart's collection. A young French anthropologist who visited Kodiak and other parts of Alaska in the 1870's, he collected an amazing number of masks, boat models, bowls, spoons, etc and they have been well maintained at the Chateau Musee in Boulogne, France. To see them back home again is a moving experience.

$5 admission.

Address: 215 Mission Road, Kodiak, AK

Directions: Up Center St. from the ferry dock, right on Mission, one block on the left.

Phone: 907 486-7004

Website: http://www.alutiiqmuseum.org

Baranov Museum

The oldest Russian building in Alaska, The Baranov Museum sits on a slight rise overlooking the ferry terminal downtown. The ground floor is filled with artifacts from the Russian Era and before that. Took me a few hours to go through the exhibits quickly - plan on returning and spending the day there. A 3 man skin kayak from the 1800's hangs from the ceiling. Several rooms have been furnished as they were when this was the Erskin House, home of a Russian Fur Trader. Fascinating stuff.

A small park surrounds the house with some benches to rest and look over the water from. We sat on what we thought was a log - turned out to be whale bones.

Address: 101 Marine Way

Directions: On Marine Way just across from the ferry terminal and the Star of Kodiak

Phone: 907 486-5920