Fossil Beach

Kodiak Island


At the end of Pasagshak Rd, the cliffs on each side of this remote beach are lined with bowling-ball-sized concretions (where sand and silt has been cemented in minerals), the fossils of ancient shells and other protuberances from the past. Head out during low tide and you can make your way around the easternmost cliff to spot more fossils entombed in the sandstone. Keep an eye out for the herd of scraggly bison that roam the area.

For a bit of WWII history, make your way up the hillside just to the left from where the road ends. At the top, you'll see a series of bunkers and the remains of a searchlight station on Narrow Cape.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kodiak Island attractions

1. Kodiak Fisheries Research Center

24.55 MILES

Opened in 1998 using funds from the Exxon-Valdez oil spill settlements, the center has an interesting lobby that includes displays about local marine life…

2. St Herman Harbor

24.69 MILES

Kodiak's 'other' harbor is on Near Island (cross the bridge from downtown) and is a great place to look for sea lions and eagles.

3. North End Park

24.89 MILES

Reached as soon as you cross the bridge, this small park is laced with easy, forested trails that converge at a stairway to the shoreline. At low tide you…

4. Baranov Museum

25 MILES

Housed in the oldest Russian structure in Alaska, across the street from the visitor center, the Baranov Museum fills Erskine House, which the Russians…

6. St Paul Boat Harbor

25.05 MILES

The pulse of this city can be found in its two boat harbors. St Paul Boat Harbor is downtown and the larger of the two. Begin with the Harbor Walkway,…

7. Harbor Walkway

25.05 MILES

A series of interesting interpretive displays line the boardwalk above the docks.

8. Holy Resurrection Cathedral

25.07 MILES

Near the Alutiiq Museum on Mission Rd, Holy Resurrection Church serves the oldest Russian Orthodox parish in the New World, established in 1794. The…