Kodiak Area State Parks (Kodiak)

Afognak Island State Park
Identified in 1892 as one of the nation's first conservation areas, Afognak Island was originally designated as the Afognak Forest and Fish Culture Reserve because of its outstanding wildlife and salmon habitat value. In 1908 it was reclassified as part of the Chugach National Forest, then transferred in 1980 to native corporations through the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. In 1994, 41,549 acres were sold to the state for parklands to protect and restore habitat lost as a result of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (EVOS). In 2001 an additional 33,498 acres were purchased through EVOS funding for habitat protection, to include areas adjacent to the park lands. Afognak Island State Park now incorporates much of the east and north sides of the island, totaling over 75,000 acres. Most of this park is undeveloped and pristine except for an area south of Seal Bay that was partly logged in the early 1990s.

The park is known for its rugged topography, dense old-growth Sitka spruce forests, and salmon spawning habitat. Kodiak brown bear, Sitka black-tailed deer, Roosevelt elk, and the endangered marbled murrelet inhabit the park. Visitors can fish, hunt, hike, or just enjoy the pristine environment. There are two public use cabins in the park. One is on the south shore of Pillar Lake and the other is at Laura Lake, east of Perenosa Bay on the northern end of Afognak Island. Both are restored U.S. Forest Service cabins.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game operates several weirs on Afognak Island, including sites at Pauls Bay and Little Waterfall Creeks.

Notice: Private (native corporation) lands adjacent to the park may require special permits to access. If you plan to enter these areas, contact the appropriate native corporation in advance. Permit requirements are strictly enforced.

Pillar Lake Cabin
The Pillar Lake cabin is located on the strip of land between Izhut Bay and Pillar Lake in the southeast corner of the island. It takes approximately 20 minutes by floatplane to reach the cabin from the city of Kodiak.

Pillar Lake may freeze as early as November 1, making the cabin inaccessible during winter months. Access by boat is not recommended since the Izhut Bay beach is shallow and subject to heavy surf.

There are no developed trails in the area. However, you can reach alpine areas from Pillar Lake by hiking for a couple of hours through the Sitka spruce forest east of the lake. (Photo taken above trail from Edge Mountain, Pillar Lake on right.) An outstanding mile-long beach on the ocean is a short walk from the cabin. There are no salmon streams near the cabin, but visitors can fish for Dolly Varden in the lake. Driftwood on the ocean beaches may be used for firewood.

Laura Lake Cabin
Laura Lake is located on the northern end of Afognak Island roughly 2 1/2 miles from the head of Pauls Bay. The cabin can be reached in 35 minutes by floatplane from the city of Kodiak. Access is via floatplane only, since there are no developed trails from Pauls Bay to the cabin. (Densely forested Sitka spruce and rugged terrain make any cross-country travel in this area challenging.)

The 3-mile long freshwater lake is part of the highly productive Pauls and Laura lakes salmon spawning system. Red salmon enter Pauls Lake in mid-June and silvers enter during August. These fish must journey two miles through Pauls Lake and up a cascading creek before entering Laura Lake. Because Laura Lake is two miles from saltwater and is at an elevation of 160 feet, salmon struggling to enter the lake are beginning to deteriorate; they are no longer bright in color.

Bears may be encountered at any place during any season. Avoid surprising them and become familiar with precautions to take while in bear country, particularly in this densely forested terrain.

Since there are no developed trails near Laura Lake, visitors may want bring a kayak or inflatable water craft. The lake has extensive fingers making shoreline walking arduous.

In case of emergency, an EPIRB (emergency position indicating radio beacon) is recommended since radio and cell phone communication is not generally possible from Laura Lake.

Both cabins are 12' x 14' panabode structures that sleep up to six people. The charge for either cabin is $35/night. Visitors can stay in the cabin for up to seven consecutive nights per month.

Source: Alaska State Parks.

For more information on Alaska State Parks, visit the Alaska State Parks web site.

Alaska National Parks
Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, Lake Clark National Park, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Alaska State Parks by Region
Anchorage, Interior Alaska, Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak,
Mat-Su Valley, Prince William Sound, Southeast Alaska, Southwest Alaska

Alaska State Parks by Name
Anchor River State Recreation Area and Stariski SRS, Birch Lake State Recreation Site, Caines Head State Recreation Area and Resurrection Bay State Marine Parks, Captain Cook State Recreation Area, Chena River State Recreation Area, Chena River State Recreation Site, Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, Chugach State Park, Clam Gulch State Recreation Area, Deep Creek State Recreation Area, Delta Junction Area State Parks, Denali State Park, Haines Area State Parks, Harding Lake State Recreation Area, Independence Mine State Historical Park, Kachemak Bay State Park and State Wilderness Park, Kasilof Area State Parks, Kenai River Special Management Area, Kodiak Area State Parks, Nancy Lake State Recreation Area, Ninilchik State Recreation Area, Point Bridget State Park, Salcha River State Recreation Site, Sitka Area State Parks, State Marine Parks in Prince William Sound and Resurrection Bay, Summit Lake State Recreation Site, Tok Area Parks, Totem Bight State Historical Park, Upper Chatanika State Recreation Site, Wickersham State Historic Site, Wood-Tikchik State Park