Klawock

Six miles from Craig [1] is the Tlingit village of Klawock (pop. 800), home to the oldest cannery in Alaska (1878), along with a bustling sawmill, a state fish hatchery, and POW [2]’s only airport; all other POW settlements have floatplane service.

Klawock is best known for its 21-pole Totem Park, which dominates the center of town. In the 1930s these brightly painted poles—all originals—were moved from the old abandoned village of Tuxekan (20 miles north) and restored.

The Prince of Wales Hatchery (907/755-2231, www.powhasalmon.org [3], tours Mon.–Sat. 1–5 p.m. summer, free) in Klawock raises coho and sockeye salmon and has a 250-gallon aquarium filled with coho fry. Stan Snider Park is a pleasant picnic spot beneath the trees.

Accommodations and Food

Log Cabin Resort and RV Park (907/755-2205 or 800/544-2205, www.logcabinresortandrvpark.com [4], May–Sept.) has a variety of lodging options, starting with basic cabins ($95 d) that share a bathhouse. Three suites with kitchenettes in the modern main lodge are $160 d, and a separate log house with a full kitchen is $160 d or $190 for five guests. RV sites ($27) are also available, along with canoe and skiff rentals, and charter fishing.

Although primarily geared to weekly fishing packages, Southeast Retreat Lodge (907/755-2994, www.southeastretreat.com [5]) has a furnished apartment with a full kitchen for $275 for up to four people, including use of a 4WD vehicle and a continental breakfast. The lodge sits along Salt Lake.

Fireweed Lodge (907/755-2930, www.fireweedlodge.com [6]) is a full-service fishing lodge in Klawock, and Changing Tides Inn (907/755-2305, www.changingtidesinn.com [7]) provides weekly stays in a waterside location.

B&T’s Cafe (907/755-2986, Tues.–Sat. 11 a.m.–7 p.m.) serves all-American fare, including burgers, steaks, and chicken. There’s always a $10 dinner special available. Get groceries and baked goods from Alaska Commercial Company (907/755-2722, www.alaskacommercial.com [8]).