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Klawock is a community of around 900 residents located on the west coast of Prince of Wales Island about 56 air miles from Ketchikan, 7 miles from Craig, and 24 miles from Hollis. Klawock has been a village for the Alaska Native Tlingit people for thousands of years and remains a major center of Tlingit culture. Each year the local Alaska Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood sponsor the Elizabeth Peratrovich Celebration in February with ceremonies and a potluck. Klawock's Totem Park has the largest collection of authentic totem poles in Alaska and displays original and replica totems from the old village of Tuxekan. The city also sponsors a week-long summer festival "Celebration by the Sea."
Klawock has historically and continues to be closely tied to the fishing industry, originally with the Tlingit people and later the first cannery in Alaska opened in Klawock in 1878. Besides fishing, the economy is supported by a local sawmill and area logging operations in the adjacent Tongass National Forest. Klawock has a harbor and boat launch for exploration of the bays, inlets, and surrounding islands, as well as an airport for access off the island through Ketchikan.
Many Prince of Wales communities are connected through an extensive road system and island access route (via the Inter-Island Ferry Authority terminal in Hollis). The road connectivity of these communities enables visitors to utilize resources that may be limited in smaller communities, such as medical services.
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General Area Overview and Information Sources:
Birding and Wildlife Resources:
Birding Trail Map for Klawock (click on site names for details).
Sites in Klawock
Balls Lake
Bald eagles are seen year round at this site.
Big Salt Lake
A good spot to look for a variety of waterfowl and shorebirds.
Klawock Inlet
The large number of coho and sockeye salmon attract bears and Bald Eagles.
Staney Creek Mouth
Wildlife abounds in the area near the mouth of Staney Creek.
Birding Photo: Ben Sullender
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