Simeonof Wilderness
One of 30 named islands in the Shumagin Group, Simeonof Island was established as a refuge for sea otters in 1958. It became a Wilderness in 1976. Protected "lands" include the water, shoals, and kelp beds within a mile of the island where at least 17 species of whales have been identified (minke whales are the most common), but where surprisingly few sea otters still live. With shores that slope easily to the sea and wide beaches, Simeonof attracts relatively few seabirds. Three streams support salmon. Cattle and fox ranchers used the island between 1890 and 1930, but they eventually abandoned their ranches.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| State | Alaska |
| Size | 25,855 acres |
| Designated | 1976, by Congress |
| Center point | 54.91° N, 159.27° W |
| Night sky | About as dark as the ground gets (Black Marble reading 10) |
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.
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Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Simeonof Wilderness?
25,855 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Simeonof Wilderness?
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Simeonof Wilderness in?
Alaska.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Simeonof Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1976.
Source: Wilderness Connect
How do I get to Simeonof Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 54.905° N, 159.270° W. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
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.