Taku Harbor State Marine Park

Juneau, Alaska (Southeast Alaska parks County)

Let me write this based on what I know about Taku Harbor State Marine Park.

Tucked along the eastern shore of Stephens Passage about 25 miles southeast of Juneau, Taku Harbor State Marine Park is one of Southeast Alaska’s quieter gems — a protected anchorage surrounded by old-growth Tongass rainforest, tidal flats, and the kind of deep silence that makes the Inside Passage legendary.

The park sits at the mouth of Taku Inlet, where the powerful Taku River system feeds glacial meltwater into the sea. This convergence creates rich habitat for wildlife. Harbor seals haul out on nearby rocks, bald eagles circle overhead, and black bears forage along the shoreline. During salmon runs, the surrounding waters come alive with jumping fish and the predators that follow them.

Boaters and kayakers are the primary visitors here — there’s no road access, which keeps crowds nonexistent. A protected float and small dock provide moorage, and a few maintained trails lead through the forest past remnants of a historic cannery that operated in the early 1900s. Beachcombing the gravel shore at low tide reveals sea stars, anemones, and crab.

Camping is primitive and undeveloped, with a couple of basic shelters available on a first-come basis. Pack everything in and out. Drinking water should be treated.

The best window to visit runs from late May through September, when longer daylight hours and milder temperatures make paddling and hiking most comfortable. Even in summer, expect rain, cool air, and layers of mist rolling off the mountains — that’s the magic of it.