Petersburg★5.0

How to Get There

From Juneau (120 mi): Take a ferry or regional flight south through the Inside Passage to the island community, arriving at the harbor or small local airport near downtown.

Overview

Petersburg is a fishing town on Mitkof Island in the Alaska Panhandle, settled by Norwegian fishermen and known as "Little Norway." It has a working harbor, a Norwegian heritage (rosemaling, the Sons of Norway Hall, and the Little Norway Festival each May), and a lack of cruise ship crowds. The town is a good base for viewing whales and for the tidewater LeConte Glacier, and the narrow Wrangell Narrows passes the town.

Things to Do

Explore Southeast Alaska's "Little Norway"

Petersburg is a picturesque fishing community located on Mitkof Island in Southeast Alaska. Founded by Norwegian fisherman Peter Buschmann in the late nineteenth century, the town is known for its strong Norwegian heritage, thriving commercial fishing industry, nearby glaciers, and exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. Petersburg serves as a gateway to some of Southeast Alaska's most spectacular wilderness areas.

Visit LeConte Glacier

LeConte Glacier is the southernmost tidewater glacier in North America and one of the area's premier attractions. Guided boat tours take visitors through iceberg-filled waters to view the glacier's towering ice face, providing opportunities to witness active calving and experience the dramatic landscape of Southeast Alaska.

Explore Tongass National Forest

Petersburg is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States. Visitors can enjoy hiking, wildlife viewing, photography, and outdoor recreation among old-growth temperate rainforests, alpine meadows, lakes, and mountain scenery.

Experience Outstanding Wildlife Viewing

The waters and forests surrounding Petersburg support abundant wildlife. Visitors frequently observe humpback whales, orcas, harbor seals, sea lions, sea otters, black bears, Sitka black-tailed deer, and bald eagles. Nearby waterways offer some of the best marine wildlife viewing opportunities in Southeast Alaska.

Visit the Stikine-LeConte Wilderness Area

Petersburg provides access to portions of the Stikine-LeConte Wilderness, a vast protected area of glaciers, fjords, forests, and mountains. Guided excursions allow visitors to explore pristine wilderness habitats while enjoying opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography.

Learn About Norwegian Heritage

The town proudly celebrates its Norwegian roots through community events, architecture, cultural traditions, and local museums. Visitors can learn about the settlers who helped establish Petersburg as one of Alaska's most successful fishing communities.

Explore Harbor and Waterfront Areas

Petersburg's waterfront is the heart of the community. Visitors can stroll the harbor, observe commercial fishing vessels, watch seafood being unloaded, and experience firsthand the maritime culture that has shaped the town for generations.

Go Whale Watching and Marine Touring

Boat tours from Petersburg provide opportunities to explore nearby fjords, channels, and wilderness areas while searching for whales, seals, sea lions, and seabird colonies. The nutrient-rich waters of Frederick Sound are particularly famous for humpback whale activity.

Top Trails

Raven's Roost Trail

Length: Approximately 1 mile round trip
Elevation Gain: Approximately 250 feet
Difficulty: Easy

One of Petersburg's most popular short hikes, Raven's Roost Trail leads to a scenic overlook above town. Visitors are rewarded with excellent views of Petersburg, Wrangell Narrows, nearby islands, and the surrounding mountains.

Kupreanof Island Trail System

Length: Various route options
Elevation Gain: Varies
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Accessible via a short ferry ride from Petersburg, several trails on Kupreanof Island provide opportunities to explore rainforest environments, beaches, streams, and scenic viewpoints while enjoying a quieter wilderness experience.

Papke's Landing Boardwalk Trail

Length: Approximately 0.5 mile round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

This accessible boardwalk route offers visitors a chance to experience Southeast Alaska's temperate rainforest ecosystem while observing native vegetation, birdlife, and wetland habitats near Petersburg.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article and official pages for Travel Alaska - Petersburg, visitpetersburg.comvisit, Petersburg, Alaska, released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.