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Hydaburg
While in Hydaburg experience SEAtrails; take off hiking, canoeing and kayaking, within alpine, old growth forest, muskeg and marine/coastal ecosystems, fish ladders, river corridors, and lake environments. Enjoy fishing and camping; visit the Civilian Conservation Corps totem park, and other cultural and historical sites in the area.
Overview
Hydaburg is a community of 398 residents located on the west coast of Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska, 45 miles northwest of Ketchikan. It lies 36 road miles west of Hollis, site of the IFA docks. The site was named in 1886 by Lieutenant Commander A.S. Snow, USN, for Lieutenant Dewitt Coffman, a member of his party.
During the mid to late 1700s, Haida Indians migrated to Prince of Wales Island, a predominantly Tlingit area, from Graham Island in the Queen Charlotte Islands, Canada. In 1911, three Haida villages combined at the present site (Sukkwan, Howkan and Klinkwan) for their children to attend school; it was designated as the Hydaburg Indian Reservation in 1912. The new village established a trading company, store and sawmill. However, the villagers were never comfortable with the arrangement, and at their request in 1926, the land was restored to its former status as part of the Tongass National Forest. 189 acres of the land were reserved for the school and town site.
Hydaburg was incorporated as a City in 1927; three years after its people had become citizens of the United States. The first fish processing plant opened in 1927, and three other canneries operated through the 1930s. When the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) was amended in 1936 to include Alaska Natives, Hydaburg became the first village in Alaska to form an IRA Council.
Hydaburg is located in the Tongass National Forest and is part of the Craig Ranger District. The US Forest Service Office for the Craig Ranger District is located at 900 9t Street, Craig.
Transportation
Prince of Wales Island is accessible via the Inter-Island Ferry Authority (IFA)’s daily service from Ketchikan. Travelers on Alaska’s Marine Highway System (AMHS) simply need to transfer at the docks in Ketchikan and purchase a separate ticket. The IFA ferry takes passengers to the Island community of Hollis, which is 32 miles from Hydaburg on the Prince of Wales Island road system. Visitors can bring their own vehicles to Prince of Wales on the ferry, or there are car rental services on the Island. Contact the Prince of Wales Chamber of Commerce (POWCC), or the City of Hydaburg for more information.
Currently there is no public transportation system on Prince of Wales, but a private shuttle company meets each ferry and offers transportation to the City of Craig. If you do not have your own transportation, arrangements SHOULD BE MADE AHEAD OF TIME!
Alaska Airlines services the community of Ketchikan and from there it is possible to connect with a small air carrier to Prince of Wales. There are several air carriers that offer services to the island communities. Each community has regular air service, but some communities only have once a week service. The following air taxi companies offer regular or charter float plane service to Hydaburg:
Additionally LAB Air offers wheeled plane service to the airstrip in Klawock from the Ketchikan Airport.
Services
Hydaburg has limited services and is geared towards the self-sufficient visitor. Hydaburg has a grocery store and a hardware store but no laundry facilities, banks, fishing/hunting licenses or guide services. A boarding house and campground complete its list of accommodations.
Weather
Hydaburg is dominated by a cool maritime climate. Summer temperatures range from 46 to 70F with winter temperatures ranging from 32 to 42F.
Local Contacts
For information about Coffman Cove contact the Prince of Wales Chamber of Commerce at PO Box 490, Klawock, AK 99925-0490, or 907-755-2626. A Guide to Prince of Wales Island is available by . It provides information about all 11 communities on Prince of Wales Island, a basic road map, services available, trail info, business directory, lodging and charter charts, harbor info, and more.
You can also contact the Hydaburg City Hall at PO Box 49, Hydaburg, AK 99922, or (907) 285-3761.