Woody Island State Recreation Site

Open — Open year-round for primitive camping. Accessible only by boat or float plane from Kodiak, weather permitting.

About

The north end of Woody Island is a 112-acre State Recreation Site located in Chiniak Bay, 2.6 miles east of Kodiak. This undeveloped wilderness area is accessible only by boat or float plane and offers a true backcountry camping experience. The recreation site is bordered on the west by approximately 200 acres of public land owned by the Kodiak Island Borough, while the remainder of the thirteen-mile circumference island is privately owned. Woody Island is a popular destination for kayakers and campers seeking solitude and natural beauty. Visitors should pull kayaks above the tide line. Rainbow trout can be caught in Long Lake, and the island supports a small population of Sitka black-tailed deer. While Kodiak bears are seldom seen on Woody Island, they are still present and visitors should take appropriate precautions. Waterfowl are sometimes abundant in Crab Lagoon and Salt Lake, making the area attractive for wildlife viewing. The island has a fascinating history spanning centuries. Woody Island was home to the Alutiiq people who fished and hunted there long before the Russians established their own agricultural colony. Life resurged in the late 1800s with a Baptist orphanage and small town on the island. During World War II, Woody Island served as a staging ground for military communications. Today, a small Christian summer camp run by the American Baptists operates on the island. Visitors planning to enter private lands adjacent to the State Recreation Site should contact the appropriate native corporation or private landowner in advance for special permits.

Directions

Located in Chiniak Bay, 2.6 miles east of Kodiak. Accessible only by boat or float plane from Kodiak. No road access.

Nearby Campgrounds