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Since 1900, four huge tidewater glaciers have retreated to form Icy Bay on the coast of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. The protected, blue waters surrounded by spectacular glacial scenery and an abundance of wildlife are ideal for sea kayaking.
Most kayakers access Icy Bay by chartering a small bush plane to drop them off at Kageet Point on the eastern edge of Icy Bay or Pt. Riou, located on Chugach Alaska Native Corporation land southeast of Icy Bay. Before flying into Pt. Riou, visitors should request permission by writing Chugach Alaska Corporation, 560 E. 34th Avenue, Suite 200, Anchorage, Alaska 99503.
Access to Icy Bay is restricted to small bush planes only, so many parties use collapsible kayaks. There are two air taxis in Yakutat who are approved to operate in the park. Alsek Air can be found online at http://www.alsekair.com and Yakutat Coastal Airlines is at http://www.flyyca.com. Both fly planes capable of landing on the bush strip at Kageet Point, which is the most common point of access for Icy Bay kayakers. It's a raised beach strip, and makes for a lovely initial camping spot while you set up your gear.
Icy Bay Lodge offers lodging and Alaska cuisine as well as guided kayaking, hiking, beach combing, wildlife photography, and fly fishing. See http://www.icybayalaska.com/
There are many beach camping opportunities throughout the bay. There are no officially designated camp sites. We ask that you pick areas that seem suitable to your needs, spread your use away from areas that show signs of use, and leave no trace of your camping when you depart.
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