Dry Spruce Island

Dry Spruce Island is a pristine and secluded island located in the Kupreanof Strait, located between Raspberry Island and the Kupreanof Peninsula of Kodiak Island in southern Alaska. Part of the rugged Kodiak Archipelago, this small, forested island remains untouched by development and modern infrastructure, offering an authentic glimpse of Alaska’s raw, coastal wilderness. Its unique status as a Native Allotment—federally protected land held in trust for an Alaska Native and their heirs—underscores its cultural importance and ensures its preservation for future generations.

The island lies within the traditional territory of the Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) people, whose deep connection to the land and sea has shaped life in the archipelago for thousands of years. Covered in dense stands of Sitka spruce and edged by rocky, weather-beaten shorelines, Dry Spruce Island is a sanctuary of natural beauty and ecological diversity. The island supports a range of wildlife, from bald eagles and sea otters to coastal brown bears. The surrounding waters teem with salmon, halibut, and other marine life vital to local subsistence and cultural practices.

Access to Dry Spruce Island is limited to boat or floatplane, which has helped shield it from tourism and development pressures. This isolation provides a rare opportunity for solitude and reflection, where visitors can engage in low-impact activities such as kayaking, wildlife observation, or simply experiencing the serenity of untouched nature.

As a symbol of Alaska’s enduring wilderness and Indigenous stewardship, Dry Spruce Island represents more than just a remote parcel of land—it is a living link to the cultural and natural heritage of the Kodiak Archipelago. With its unspoiled landscapes and protected status, the island stands as a rare treasure in a rapidly changing world.