Cape St. Elias Light
Alaska
Perched on windswept Kayak Island off Alaska’s southern coast, Cape St. Elias Light has guided mariners through treacherous Gulf of Alaska waters since 1916. The reinforced-concrete tower replaced earlier navigational aids in a region notorious for fierce storms and heavy fog. It remains an active aid to navigation, automated by the Coast Guard, and is not open to public climbing or interior access.
The lighthouse is best photographed during Alaska’s long summer daylight hours, from June through August, when conditions allow boat or floatplane access to Kayak Island. Nearby attractions include the Bering Glacier, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, and the fishing town of Cordova, which serves as the closest gateway community.
Explore Nearby
- Ziegler Cove State Marine Park — State Park in Alaska
- Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site — State Park in Alaska
- Tongass National Forest — National Forest in Alaska
- Chugach National Forest — National Forest in Alaska
- Seward Highway — Scenic Byway in Alaska
Nearby Discoveries
1 places to explore within 30 miles
