Adak, Alaska

Adak is a city on Adak Island in the Aleutian Islands, described as the westernmost city in the United States and the southernmost in Alaska. About 450 miles west of Dutch Harbor, it was a major military base in World War II and the Cold War era and now has about 200 residents.[1]

History

Japan attacked Dutch Harbor on 3 June 1942 and occupied Attu and Kiska islands days later. By 1943 around 90,000 troops were stationed on Adak. The Adak Naval Station closed in 1997, and in 2004 more than 47,000 acres were transferred to the Aleut Corporation.[1]

Land and wildlife

Over half the island lies in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, and the Aleut Corporation owns much of the rest, so visitors need a land use permit for recreation on its lands. The military introduced caribou in the 1950s and the herd is now about 3,000. Clam Lagoon is a popular place to see seals, sea otters, sea lions and birds, including rare migratory species not found elsewhere in the United States.[1]

Visiting

Adak is about a three-hour flight from Anchorage, with two Alaska Airlines flights a week. Activities include hiking and backcountry camping with few designated trails, saltwater and freshwater fishing, and visiting World War II sites. Services are limited: the Adak Island Inn has 40 townhouse units, and the town has one restaurant and bar, a post office, a gas station and a small grocery store.[1]

FAQs

Where is Adak? On Adak Island in the Aleutian Islands.

When did the naval station close? 1997.

How do you get there? By scheduled flight from Anchorage, about three hours.

Sources

1. Alaska Travel Industry Association: Adak

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 13, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue