Wrangell County, Alaska Map

About Wrangell County, Alaska

Wrangell Borough sprawls across a vast expanse of Southeast Alaska, a realm where granite peaks, softened by the subarctic light, plunge into the gray, glacial waters of the Inside Passage. Its terrain is a dramatic confluence of old-growth temperate rainforest, taiga, and alpine tundra, a landscape sculpted by the immense forces of ice and water. Salmon-bright rivers, like veins of liquid silver, cut through the dense emerald wilderness, their courses dictated by the ancient pathways of glaciers. To the north and west, the borough is defined by the formidable natural borders of Stephens Passage and Clarence Strait, while to the south and east, it yields to the rugged immensity of the Tongass National Forest, a boundless wilderness that shelters both the raven and the grizzly. This is a land of fjord-cut coastlines, where the air itself seems to hum with the immensity of scale, dwarfing human endeavors against the backdrop of colossal natural grandeur.

The human story of Wrangell Borough is as deeply etched into its land as the glacial striations on its mountains. The borough was organized in 1964, a formal recognition of the long-standing ties and shared experiences of its scattered communities. For centuries prior, Indigenous peoples, particularly the Tlingit, thrived in this bountiful environment, their lives intimately connected to the rhythms of the sea and the forest. Russian traders arrived in the 18th century, followed by American settlers, each leaving their imprint on the region. The borough seat, the city of Wrangell, claims its heritage as one of Alaska's oldest continuously inhabited settlements, a testament to its strategic location on Wrangell Island at the mouth of the Stikine River. The very air in Wrangell carries the salt spray of the sea and the faint, sweet scent of cedar, a constant reminder of its enduring connection to the natural world and the generations who have navigated its challenging beauty.

The economy of Wrangell Borough is as varied as its terrain, a resilient blend of traditional industries and modern enterprise. Fishing, both commercial and sport, remains a vital thread in the borough’s economic fabric, drawing sustenance from the incredibly rich marine ecosystems. Timber, though managed with increasing care, still plays a role, as does the burgeoning tourism sector, drawn to the raw, untamed beauty of the region. Bush planes are a common sight, connecting remote villages and providing essential links in this geographically dispersed borough. The character of Wrangell Borough is one of quiet self-reliance, a deep respect for the power of nature, and a profound sense of community forged by shared isolation and interdependence. Notable places abound, from the dramatic waterfalls cascading down sheer rock faces to the intimate harbors where fishing boats bob gently, their colorful hulls a vibrant contrast against the often-somber hues of the surrounding wilderness. The quality of the light at dusk, a prolonged, ethereal glow that paints the sky in shades of rose and lavender, is a moment of profound, quiet beauty that defines the felt character of this extraordinary corner of Alaska.

About This Wrangell County Map Page

This page provides an interactive map of Wrangell County, Alaska alongside links to detailed street maps for 1 cities and towns. The county seat is Wrangell. Each city and town map page includes live weather, local news and precise GPS coordinates.

Location data is sourced from the USGS GNIS database and verified by coordinates, not name matching alone.