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Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site - Photo 1
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Photo: 20230713-FS-JC-WrangellPetroglyphs-0005 (53336404809) by Forest Service Alaska Region, USDA (Public domain) License

Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site

State park · Wrangell, Alaska

Cool todayPublic restroomWheelchair accessible entrance

Petroglyph Beach in Wrangell has the highest concentration of petroglyphs - rock art - in Southeast and easily accessible to explore. Petroglyph is a word derived from the Greek "petra" and "glyphe" for rock and carving. The beach area was designated a State Historic Park in 2000. There is an accessible boardwalk to a deck overlooking Petroglyph Beach, the Stikine River and Zimovia Straits. Replicas of several designs are displayed on the deck for visitors to make rubbings on. Access to the beach is provided directly from the deck overlook. Visitors can explore the beach and search for the roughly 40 petroglyphs concentrated in this area. Most are to the right toward a large rock tidal outcropping.

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Weather at Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site

39°F, Overcast · H 46° / L 33° · 18% chance of rain
H: 46° L: 33°
Overcast
Overcast
39°
|
Feels like 36°
Precipitation
18%
Humidity
85%
Wind
4 mph
UV Index
0
12 AM
Partly Cloudy
41°
3 AM
Partly Cloudy
36°
6 AM
Partly Cloudy
35°
9 AM
Cloudy
39°
12 PM
Sunny
46°
3 PM
Overcast
46°
6 PM
Overcast
37°
9 PM
Overcast
36°

Frequently asked questions

Where is Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site?
Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site is a state park in Wrangell, Alaska.
Can you swim at Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site?
There is no fixed answer for Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site: whether it is safe to swim there on a given day depends on the water temperature, recent rainfall, and any advisories posted at Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site in Wrangell, Alaska. Check current water conditions before you go, and follow posted signs and local guidance.
How is Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site rated?
Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site in Wrangell, Alaska has an average visitor rating of 4.6 out of 5, based on 168 reviews.

Location & Contact

Grave St, Wrangell, AK 99929

Wrangell, Alaska 99929

Popular Times
Monday
Morning
6a
7a
8a
9a
10a
11a
Afternoon
12p
1p
2p
3p
4p
5p
Evening
6p
7p
8p
9p
10p
11p
Not busy
Moderate
Busy
💡 Best times & visiting tips
  • ›Weekday mornings (8–10 AM) are typically less crowded
  • ›Check the forecast 2–3 days ahead for best planning
  • ›Avoid holiday weekends for a quieter experience

Features & amenities

People Talk About

💬 petroglyphs💬 walk💬 tide💬 town💬 carvings💬 cruise💬 dock💬 deck💬 etching💬 replicas

Highlights

⭐ Picnics

Accessibility

♿ Wheelchair accessible entrance

Amenities

🚻 Public restroom

Family & Children

👶 Good for kids
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