Kodiak Island
Valley Road Emergency Camping Closure
A bear obtained food on the road to the Valley of 10,000 Smokes by opening an improperly secured food canister. The first two miles of the road is closed to camping until at least September 9, 2025.
From Recreation.gov
Update: Blue Fox Bay Cabin is undergoing renovations for the remainder of 2025 through summer 2026. During this time, the ramp to/from the cabin will be under construction.
Small Craft Advisory issued January 19 at 2:31AM AKST until January 20 at 5:00AM AKST by NWS Anchorage AK
Coastal Waters Forecast for the Northern Gulf of Alaska Coast up to 100 nm out including Kodiak Island and Cook Inlet. Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction expected. Sea forecasts represent an average of the highest one-third of the combined wind wave and swell height. .TODAY...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft. .TONIGHT...E wind 25 kt diminishing to 15 kt after midnight. Seas 5 ft subsiding to 3 ft after midnight. .TUE...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 3 ft. .TUE NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. .WED...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. .THU...N wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft. .FRI...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 7 ft.
Small Craft Advisory issued January 18 at 3:36PM AKST until January 19 at 5:00AM AKST by NWS Anchorage AK
Coastal Waters Forecast for Southwest Alaska+Bristol Bay+The Alaska Peninsula Waters and the Aleutian Islands up to 100 nm out. Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction expected. Sea forecasts represent an average of the highest one-third of the combined wind wave and swell height. .TONIGHT...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 8 ft. .MON...SE wind 15 kt. Seas 5 ft. .MON NIGHT...SE wind 15 kt. Seas 7 ft. .TUE...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 9 ft. .TUE NIGHT...E wind 15 kt. Seas 10 ft. .WED THROUGH THU...N wind 15 kt. Seas 9 ft. .FRI...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 8 ft.
Overview
Kodiak Island is Alaska's largest island and home to the 1.9 million-acre Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, accessible only by floatplane or boat—no roads or maintained trails penetrate the refuge interior. The island is open year-round and accessible via commercial flights from Anchorage or the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system. Road system camping is available at two state recreation sites: Buskin River (15 sites along a prime salmon fishery) and Pasagshak River (6 tent sites, 6 RV sites with 40' limit, 7-night maximum stay). The refuge itself offers remote public use cabins bookable through Recreation.gov, all requiring float plane access except Blue Fox Bay, Uganik Island, and Viekoda Bay which are boat-accessible. Winter brings mild, rainy conditions typical of southern Alaska. The Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in downtown reopened in April 2025 after winter closure. Be aware that much land along the road system is owned by Native corporations requiring day-use and camping permits due to past abuse. Weather is notoriously variable—always plan for delays. Recent fishery closures (Gulf of Alaska pollock) have impacted the local economy but don't affect visitor access. The island hosts approximately 13,000 residents, 2,300+ brown bears, and 600+ nesting bald eagle pairs.
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