Population: 799

Klawock is located 23 miles from Clark Bay ferry terminal on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska.

Klawock was originally a Tlingit Indian summer fishing village; a trading post and salmon saltery were established here in 1868. Ten years later, a salmon cannery was built, one of several cannery operations in the area. Over the years, the population of Klawock, like other Southeast communities, grew and then declined with the salmon harvest. The local economy is still dependent on fishing, along with timber harvesting and sawmilling. A fish hatchery is located on Klawock Lake near the site of a former salmon hatchery (1897–1917).

Visitor Information

The Prince of Wales Island Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is located in the Klawock-Heenya Mall; phone 907-755-2626; [email protected]; www.princeofwalescoc.org and www.discoverpowisland.com.

Prince of Wales Island Chamber of Commerce is located in the Klawock-Heenya mall, along with a supermarket/deli, Western Union, liquor store, beauty salon, credit union, the Bread Box Delicatessen and other businesses. Gas, diesel and propane are available. Black Bear Grocery and Tackle is located on Big Salt Lake Road.

Accommodations and family-style dining at Fireweed Lodge, located along the main highway, near the Big Salt Road junction, has a beautiful back deck overlooking their private dock; phone 907-755-2930; website www.fireweedlodge.com. Cabins and full-hookup RV sites at Stryker Bay Adventures; phone 541-901-9674; www.facebook.com/StrykerBayAdventures.

Attractions

A major attraction in Klawock is the Totem Park, which contains 21 masterfully carved replicas of the original totem poles that once stood in Tuxekan, the old winter village of the Keenya Kwaan people. The poles were relocated here in 1938–40 as a Civilian Conservation Corps project. A totem dedicated to U.S. Veterans was erected in 2018. The Long House, named Gaani Ax Adi, is located along the main highway in downtown Klawock near the carving shed.

Recreation here includes good fishing for salmon and steelhead in Klawock River, and some saltwater halibut fishing.