Discover one of Alaska's most remarkable and accessible archaeological treasures — a tidal beach scattered with 3,000-year-old Native petroglyphs carved directly into coastal boulders, framed by old-growth Tongass rainforest. Ancient, atmospheric, and utterly unique.
What to expect
The walk begins just 25 minutes from the pier and follows a gentle boardwalk path through dense coastal rainforest before opening onto the dramatic tidal beach. Your guide crouches alongside you to trace the spiral, human, and animal carvings that emerge from the dark basalt, sharing the theories and traditions surrounding their creation. The forest return route passes towering Sitka spruce and nurse logs thick with ferns, concluding with a broader natural history of the Tongass — the world's largest temperate rainforest.
Good to know
Petroglyph Beach is a State Historic Site; no rubbings or touching of carvings permitted (replicas are available at the nearby interpretive shelter). Best visited at or near low tide when the most carvings are exposed — your guide will time this perfectly. The walk is easy to moderate, about 1.5–2 hours total. Rubber-soled, waterproof footwear is strongly advised.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Wrangell — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.
More to do in Wrangell
- Anan Creek Bear Observatory: Up-Close Brown & Black Bears
- Stikine River Glacier Lake Jet Boat Wilderness Expedition
- Wrangell E-Bike & Rainbow Falls Hike: Forest, Coast & Cascade
- Wrangell Local History & Culture Walking Tour: Totems, Tribes & Tales
- Wrangell Marine Wildlife Sightseeing & Sea Kayaking Cruise