Aleutian Islands Wilderness
The Aleutian Islands consist of more than 200 islands, which are actually the peaks of 57 submarine volcanoes (27 of which are considered active) rising from near sea level to more than 9,000 feet. On most of these islands you'll find lush green tundra dotted with summer wildflowers and carpeted with grasses, sedges, mosses, lichens, and heath. Cool average temperatures prevent trees from establishing here. Marine mammals include the endangered Steller sea lion, threatened northern sea otter, and harbor seal. Most of the land mammals, including foxes, reindeer, and caribou, have been introduced by humans. The principal marine fish are halibut, cod, rockfish, sablefish, yellowfin sole, pollack, sand lance, herring, and salmon.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| State | Alaska |
| Size | 1.3 million acres |
| Designated | 1980, by Congress |
| Center point | 52.09° N, 173.65° W |
| Night sky | Very dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 36) |
Boundary map
Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees
The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.
Where to camp
No federal campground is within ten miles of the boundary in the Campsite Atlas index. Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from trails and water, with no facilities; the managing agency page has the permit and group-size rules.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- under 0.1 miAttu Battlefield and U.s. Army and Navy Airfields on Attu ↗National Historic Landmark
- 13.8 miSt. Alexander Nevsky Chapel ↗Akutan, AK
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Guidebooks for Alaska
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Aleutian Islands Wilderness?
1.3 million acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Aleutian Islands Wilderness?
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Aleutian Islands Wilderness in?
Alaska.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Aleutian Islands Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1980.
Source: Wilderness Connect
How do I get to Aleutian Islands Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 52.086° N, 173.650° W. Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area is 19 miles away. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Which national parks are near Aleutian Islands Wilderness?
Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area (19 mi). Park Atlas has fees, hours and alerts for each.
Source: Nearby on the other atlases
Are there historic places near Aleutian Islands Wilderness?
The National Register has 2 listings within 15 miles, including Attu Battlefield and U.s. Army and Navy Airfields on Attu and St. Alexander Nevsky Chapel.
Source: Register Atlas
Sources
- Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
- Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
- Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
- Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
- Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.