Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Admiralty Island National Monument, located in Southeast Alaska, is a pristine expanse of wilderness covering most of Admiralty Island. It is known for its dense rainforests, rugged coastline, and immense biodiversity. With an area encompassing 1,057,693 acres, it offers a remarkable blend of spruce and hemlock forests, wetlands, and alpine tundra. The monument is particularly famous for housing one of the world's highest densities of brown bears, with an estimated 1,600 individuals inhabiting the island. The Tlingit people, who have lived on the island for thousands of years, call it 'Kootznoowoo', meaning 'Fortress of the Bears'. Beyond bear viewing, visitors can engage in kayaking along the tranquil waters, explore numerous trails, or fish in one of the countless rivers and lakes. The monument's historical significance is also underscored by sites like the Windfall Harbor Cannery, which reflect the region’s rich cultural past.
