Kake is located on the northwest coast of Kupreanof Island, between the Keku Strait and Frederick Sound. It is a traditional Tlingit settlement and home to one of the world’s largest totem poles, towering over the village at 132 feet. Its name was derived from the Tlingit term “keix,” which means “opening of daylight.” For thousands of years, the Tlingit have lived in the Kake area, protecting their territory from neighboring tribes by controlling the trade routes surrounding Kuiu and Kupreonof islands.
To see whales in their natural habitat, Kake is the place to go. Kake is a popular whale-watching and fishing hotspot because of the abundance of halibut and salmon in the area’s seas. There are a lot of whales that pass through the Kake area every year.
The black bear population in Kake is substantial, as are those of moose, black-tail deer, wolves, bald eagles, sea otters, and seals.
Kake is also a fantastic location for catching salmon and halibut. Trout, steelhead, and salmon thrive in freshwater streams during their respective seasons.
Other popular pastimes include cycling, hiking, and kayaking, and visitors should not miss the yearly Kake Dog Salmon Festival. More than 120 miles of logging road lead inland from the settlement, allowing visitors to hike or mountain bike around Kupreonof Island. Big John Bay Trail, Goose Lake Trail, and Cathedral Falls Trail are all trails that may be accessed from the road. Silver Spike Road Bridge and Gunnuck Creek Hatchery are great places to see bears since they attract a lot of chum salmon during the summer.
