Description
Hoonah is a historic coastal village on Chichagof Island in Alaska, serving as the world’s largest community of the Indigenous Tlingit people. Located along the Inside Passage, it blends vibrant native culture with rugged wilderness, featuring hand carved totem poles and a restored 1912 salmon cannery at the native owned Icy Strait Point cruise port. The surrounding region is a haven for wildlife lovers, boasting one of the highest concentrations of coastal brown bears on Earth and world famous waters where humpback whales and sea otters gather to feed.
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Things to do
Ride on the Ziprider
Riding the ZipRider at Icy Strait Point is a thrilling rush on one of the world's longest and highest ziplines. The adventure begins with a scenic mountain drive to a launch tower standing 1,300 feet above sea level. Once strapped into a secure, hands free chair, riders launch simultaneously down a 5,330 foot cable, hitting speeds up to 60 miles per hour. Flying high above the temperate rainforest canopy, the ride delivers jaw dropping views of Hoonah, Port Frederick, and the icy waters of the Inside Passage before a smooth landing on the beach below.
Experience Tlingit Culture
Experiencing Tlingit culture in Hoonah connects you deeply with the living heritage of the region’s Indigenous people, who have inhabited these lands for millennia. At the Native Heritage Center, you can watch master carvers transform massive cedar logs into intricate totem poles and traditional canoes. Tribal members bring their history to life through vibrant dance performances, rhythmic drumming, and oral storytelling passed down through generations. Walking through the village reveals towering totem poles that display family crests and ancestral legends, showing how the artistic traditions and enduring spirit of the Tlingit people thrive today.
Spot Coastal Brown Bears
Spotting coastal brown bears in Hoonah offers a thrilling entry into one of the densest predator habitats on Earth. Chichagof Island boasts an incredible concentration of these massive animals, outnumbering human residents three to one. Guided excursions lead visitors along remote logging roads and tidal flats to hidden viewing platforms overlooking salmon-rich rivers like the Spasski River. Watching these powerful creatures splash through the currents, forage for berries, or teach their cubs to fish in the pristine rainforest provides an authentic look at the Alaskan wilderness.