Afognak Island State Park

Overview

Brochure InfoAfognak Island State Park, located just north of Kodiak island, encompasses approximately 116,000 acres of the Island. The park is known for its rugged topography, dense old-growth Sitka spruce forests, and natural habitat, but some of the park area is old timber harvest, now allowed to let nature reclaim. The majority of the eastside of the island is State Park, along with most of the northern section.The northwestern region of the island is the US Fish & Wildlife Service's Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge bordered by the state park on the eastern and southern boundary. More than half of the island is privately owned and a permit is required for access to most of the private land. The park is accessible via boat or float plane, but the two public use cabins are on inland lakes and only accessible by float plane. A number of air charters provide service to the park and the public use cabins located at Pillar and Laura Lakes.Brochure Info - OrientationThe 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 a variety of birds and sea birds, including 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 on Laura Lake, both are older restored U.S. Forest Service cabins.Brochure Info - RecreationActivities include hunting, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, photography, marine mammal observing, bird watching, and possible beachcombing.Brochure Info - Facilities and RestrictionsEach rentable public use cabin is equipped with bunks to comfortably sleep 4 people (maximum 6), a table and wood heating stove. Visitors should bring a cook stove and lantern or LED lighting. Some pots, pans and utensils may be available in the cabin. There is a woodshed and outhouse nearby, firewood is generally provided but must be split. Water is available from the lake, but visitors are advised to purify the water before use. The cabins are accessible via floatplane on the lake, which may freeze as early as mid-October and eliminate access in fall and winter. Maximum stay of 7 consecutive nights per month. Activities include hunting, hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing.Key Info Cancellations made within 14 days of arrival WILL NOT be refunded. Cancellations made at least 15 days prior to arrival can receive a refund (does not include transaction/cancellation fees). Weather - Afognak Island is generally cool and moist. Average annual precipitation is about 75 inches and summertime avarage temperatures range from the low 40's to the mid-60's. Poor weather can delay flights to and from the park so all visitors are encouraged to pack extra food and supplies in case they get weathered in. Always be ready for rain and soft wet ground/be prepared to stay dry and warm. Bears - Kodiak brown bear (Ursus arctos) are found on Afognak Island. Be prepared for bear encounters. Respect the bears, give them the right of way and make a lot of noise (some hikers put bells on their packs and carry whistles to alert bears to their presence).Use caution, avoid surprise encounters, and follow all bear safety ettiquette. Do not leave any food items outside of cabins or otherwise accessible to bears. Discard fish and animal entrails in ocean or deep fast moving water. Carry signaling device in case of an emergency (orange cloth/flares/etc.). Carry first aid items, flashlight (particularly in winter), snack and a fire starter. Surface water should be boiled or treated before drinking. Please help protect shorebirds by keeping dogs under control at all times; do not allow dogs to disturb or chase birds or other wildlife. Always tell a friend, relative, or park ranger (486-6339) where you are going and when you expect to return. Fireworks and explosives are prohibited. Disturbing or damaging natural objects prohibited. Important Information for Daily EntranceDirectionRemote Island - float plane or boat access only. A number of air charters provide service to the park and the public use cabins located at Pillar and Laura Lakes.Booking Window Product InfoFee Cancellation DescCancellations: Cancellations cannot be made within 14 calendar days prior to arrival date. Cancellations made at least 15 days prior to arrival can receive a refund (does not include transaction/cancellation fees). Cancellations must be made through www.reserveamerica.com . You must cancel your reservations online, from your account. If you fail to cancel in a timely manner, or fail to use the facility for reasons other than the exceptions listed below, a refund is not available. Changes/Transfers: Changes/Transfers cannot be made within 14 calendar days prior to your scheduled arrival date. All changes that occur at least 15 days prior to the arrival date will incur a $3 change/transfer fee. Changes where the reservation is extended will not have an additional change fee. Refunds: Park Staff are not authorized to give cash refunds. Refunds for canceled reservations online will be made by issuing a credit to the card used for payment. Exceptions: If you were unable to use the facility due to events beyond your control, such as extreme weather/hazardous conditions (as determined by Alaska State Parks), or closure of a road, trail, or facility by the State, you may request a refund. Requests for refunds must be made within three (3) business days of the last date of your reservation to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Public Information Center at 907-269-8400. Please provide your reservation number when you call. Extreme weather in the Northern Region is defined as Minus 30 F for the "Hunt Memorial", "North Fork", and "Chena River" Cabins; Minus 20 F for all other cabins and ice huts. In the event of a natural emergency or sudden campground/site closure, a full refund will be issued. The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation reserves the right to make the final determination of whether a refund will be issued.