Wrangell Island

Island Forest-covered Alaskan island and fishing community

Island in the Alexander Archipelago with the town of Wrangell; visitors come for salmon fishing, wildlife viewing, Tlingit cultural sites and boat access to surrounding fjords and timbered hills.

Main image

Wrangell Island is an inhabited island in southeastern Alaska’s Alexander Archipelago, and it contains the principal settlement of Wrangell. The island is part of the coastal archipelago and supports both community life and maritime access.

The town of Wrangell provides visitor services, museums that interpret local Tlingit and colonial history, and access to outdoor activities such as coastal wildlife viewing and forested trails. The island landscape includes beaches, tidal flats and wooded slopes.

The island and its harbour have long been part of Tlingit territory and later saw use by Russian fur traders and the Russian-American Company in the 19th century before becoming part of the United States. These layers of history are reflected in local cultural sites and museums.

Wrangell Island lies in the northern part of the Alexander Archipelago in southeastern Alaska, set among other coastal islands and near the mouth of the Stikine River system. The island is maritime in character and linked to regional sea routes.

  • Main settlement: The island is home to the town of Wrangell, which serves as the principal settlement and access point for visitors and services.
  • Geographic setting: The island lies within the Alexander Archipelago and is part of southeastern Alaska's coastal island chain with forested terrain and shoreline features.

What to See #

  • Wrangell (town): The town and borough centre on the island is the primary settlement with harbours, local services and historic sites linked to indigenous and colonial histories.
Wrangell Island
56.2975, -132.1750

Tips for Visiting Wrangell Island #

  • Visit in summer (late spring-early fall) when scheduled flights and the Alaska Marine Highway serve Wrangell-outside that season access is very limited.
  • Plan arrivals and departures around the ferry/flight schedules and allow extra time for local connections; services in town are limited compared with larger hubs.
  • Don't miss local Tlingit heritage sites in town - Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site and the totem poles are compact, easy to reach, and often overlooked by visitors focused only on wilderness activities.

Best Time to Visit Wrangell Island #

Visit in summer for the best access, milder weather, and wildlife viewing; shoulder seasons are quieter but more variable.

Summer (best for access and wildlife)
June-August · 8-18°C
Warmest, most accessible months with maritime conditions conducive to boat travel and wildlife/birdwatching opportunities.
Shoulder seasons (cooler, variable)
May and September-October · 0-10°C
Cooler and changeable weather; fewer visitors but also more limited services and less predictable marine conditions.
Winter (harsh)
November-April · -10 to 5°C
Cold and often stormy conditions with limited access; many services and transport options are reduced or suspended.

Weather & Climate near Wrangell Island #

Climate

Wrangell Island's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 16°C. Heavy rainfall (2861 mm/year), wettest in October.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
16°
Warmest Month
-6°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -1°C and lows of -6°C. Heavy rain (287 mm).

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-6° -1°

Weather

287 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -4°C. Heavy rain (238 mm).

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-5°

Weather

238 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. Heavy rain (213 mm).

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-4°

Weather

213 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (180 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°

Weather

180 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (162 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°

Weather

162 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm

June

June is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (135 mm).

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
15°

Weather

135 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm

July

July is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (137 mm).

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°

Weather

137 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm

August

August is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (193 mm).

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°

Weather

193 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm

September

September is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 6°C. Heavy rain (286 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°

Weather

286 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm

October

October is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (405 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

405 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -2°C. Heavy rain (313 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Freezing
C
Temperature
-3°

Weather

313 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -4°C. Heavy rain (312 mm).

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-5°

Weather

312 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

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