Kodiak Island, Alaska Information

Kodiak, Alaska is the state of Alaska's sixth largest city and is located on the United State's second largest island. It has been inhabited for over 7,000 years. In the 1700's, it was the capital of Russian Alaska. It remained the Russian capital until 1887, when the United States bought it as part of the Alaska Purchase. But no matter who has lived or owned Kodiak, it has always been 3,000 square miles of wild island.

Nicknamed, "Alaska's Emerald Isle" because of its resemblance to Ireland, Kodiak also boasts volcanoes and glacial valleys and peaks - which aren't quite like Ireland. The maritime climate means lots of rain, but it also means lush and fertile vegetation - the type perfect for wildlife.

One of Kodiak's biggest claims to fame is the huge Kodiak brown bear. The Kodiak bear is a subspecies of brown bear that only lives in the Kodiak Archipelago in Alaska. They range from 1,500 to 2,000 pounds and stand about 5 feet tall at the shoulder and nearly 10 feet on its hind legs. That's absolutely huge. It's the world's largest carnivore. It's one of the ultimate trophies for any hunter. Be prepared to follow tight regulations if you want to hunt one of the bears. There are only 496 permits issued each year to hunt a Kodiak bear and it costs around $10,000 to $21,000 To help protect the bears, which number about 3,500, two-thirds of Kodiak Island have been set aside as the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge.

Did You Know?
A Kodiak bear has killed only one person in the last 75 years,
but a bear injures someone about every other year.

Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge was formed to not only protect the Kodiak bears, but also salmon, sea otters, sea lions, red fox, ermine, Sitka deer, mountain goat, snowshoe hare, beaver, migratory birds, and other animals. It is 1.9 million acres of land and water, which includes two-thirds of Kodiak Island, Uganik Island, part of Afognak Island, and Ban Island in the Kodiak archipelago. There are grasslands, fjords, mountains, river valleys, forests, and even glaciers in the area. 

The Kodiak bears thrive because of the amount of fish in the waters around Kodiak Island. There are 14 major watersheds in the area and 117 salmon streams - making it a sport fishing paradise. There are thousands of miles of coastline.

Town Information:

Kodiak Island Visitors Guide
http://www.kodiak.org/

Kodiak Island Travelers Guide
http://kodiakisland.net/

Population: 6,182 (2007 census)
Location: Large island in the western Gulf of Alaska
Annual Precipitation: 75.35 in.
July Averages: Temperature - 60 F; precipitation - 4.12 in.

Lodging:

Best Western Kodiak Inn
236 W. Rezanof Dr., Kodiak, AK
(907) 486-5712 / (888) 563-4254
http://www.kodiakinn.com/

Comfort Inn Kodiak
1395 Airport Way, Kodiak, AK
(907) 487-2700 / (800) 544-2202
http://choicehotels.com/hotel/ak025

Eider House B&B
782 Sargent Creek Rd., Kodiak, AK
(907) 487-4315
http://www.eiderhouse.com/

Kodiak B&B
308 Cope St., Kodiak, AK
(907) 486-5367
Price: call for rates

The Lodge at Hidden Basin
(907) 345-7017
http://www.hiddenbasinalaska.com/

On the Cape B&B
3476 Spruce Cape Rd., Kodiak, AK
(907) 486-4185
http://www.onthecape.net/

Shelikof Lodge
211 Thorsheim Ave., Kodiak, AK
(907) 486-4141
http://shelikoflodgealaska.com/

Spruce Haven B&B
2109-C Mission Rd., Kodiak, AK
(907) 486-5171
Price: call for rates

Did You Know?
The island is so remote that there are less than 100 miles of road on the entire island.

Camping:

Buskin River State Recreation Area
Mile 4.1 West Rezanof Dr., Kodiak, AK
http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/units/kodiak/index.htm

Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park
Mile 3.7 East Rezanof Dr., Kodiak, AK
http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/units/kodiak/index.htm

Pasagshak State Recreation Site
40 Pasagshak River Rd., Kodiak, AK
http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/units/kodiak/index.htm

What to See:

Alutiiq Museum
215 Mission Rd., Kodiak, AK
(907) 486-7004
http://www.alutiiqmuseum.org/

The Baranov Museum
101 Marine Way, Kodiak, AK
(907) 486-5920
http://www.baranovmuseum.org/

Restaurants & Bars:

Mill Bay Coffee & Pastries
3833 Rezanof Dr., Kodiak, AK
(907) 486-4411
http://www.millbaycoffee.com/

Henry's Great Alaskan Restaurant
512 Marine Way, Kodiak, AK
(907) 486-8844

Old Powerhouse Restaurant
516 E. Marine Way, Kodiak, AK
(907) 481-1088

Kodiak Buskin River Inn
1395 Airport Way, Kodiak, AK
(907) 487-2700 / (800) 544-2202

Harborside Coffee & Goods
210 Shelikof St. #B, Kodiak, AK
(907) 486-5862

Transportation:

Car Rentals @ Airport:

Budget
(907) 487-2220 / (800) 527-0700
http://www.budget.com/

Avis
(907) 487-2264 / (800) 331-1212
http://www.avis.com/

Ferry Terminal:

Alaska Marine Highway System
100 E Marine Way, Kodiak, AK
(907) 486-3800
http://www.ferryalaska.com/

Airport:

Kodiak Municipal Airport (4 miles SW of downtown)
2410 Mill Bay Rd., Kodiak, AK
(907) 486-8060

Chamber of Commerce:

Kodiak Chamber of Commerce
100 E Marine Way #300, Kodiak, AK
(907) 486-5557
http://www.kodiak.org/

Did You Know?
Eight of the top ten largest bears on record come from Kodiak Island.
The largest weighed over 2,500 pounds and was over 10 feet tall.

AK Employment Service:

Alaska Job Center Network
309 Center St., Kodiak, AK
(907) 486-3105 / (800) 478-3105
Email: Kodiak.jobcenter@alaska.gov

Local Newspaper:

Kodiak Daily Mirror
1419 Selig St., Kodiak, AK
(907) 486-3227
http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/

Hospital:

Providence Kodiak Medical Center
1915 E Rezanof Dr., Kodiak, AK
(907) 486-3281
http://www.providence.org/alaska/kodiak/

Fish & Game:

Alaska Department of Fish & Game
211 Mission Rd., Kodiak, AK
(907) 486-1825
http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/

Internet Access:

Harborside Fly by Coffee
1715 Mill Bay Rd., Kodiak, AK
(907) 486-5864

A.Holmes Johnson Public Library
319 Lower Mill Bay Rd., Kodiak, AK
(907) 486-86876
http://www.city.kodiak.ak.us/library/

 

Today, Kodiak, Alaska is first a commercial fishing center and second a tourist destination for those seeking outdoor adventure. Both fishermen and hunters flock to this wilderness island in search of fun, excitement, and the ultimate hunting and fishing experience. If you're planning to visit, the best way to get there is by air or by the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system.

There is still wilderness that has barely been explored. Kodiak Island is the ultimate destination for any thrill-seeking adventurer.