A spiral petroglyph at Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site on Wrangle Island, Alaska.

Petroglyph Beach in Wrangell has the highest concentration of petroglyphs in the southeast region of Alaska. The beach is a little over a mile out of town and became a State Historic Park in 2000. At least 40 petroglyphs have been found in the area. The site itself is about 8000 years old. There is an accessible boardwalk to a deck overlooking Petroglyph Beach, the Stikine River and Zimovia Straits. Replicas of several designs are displayed on the deck for visitors to make rubbings on. Access to the beach is provided directly from the deck overlook.

While you are on Wrangell Island be sure to visit the Wrangell Cooperative Association for insights into modern Tlingit culture. 



A bear of wolf petroglyph and mask petroglyph at Petroglyph State Historic Site in Southeast Alaska.

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An animal face and round eye masks carved onto a rock at Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site on Wrangle Island in Southeast Alaska.

An orca at Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site. The orca is carved in Classic Conventionalized style.
The orca is a clan crest symbol in Tlingit culture.

A raven carved onto a rock at Petroglyph Beach on Wrangell Island in Southeast Alaska.

A blue jay engraved on a rock at Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site on Wrangle Island in Southwest Alaska.

A spiral and mask engraved on a flat rock at Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site on Wrangle Island in Southeast Alaska.

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