🏆🏆🏆🏆 Alaska Wilderness — Marine park in Prince William Sound — named by Captain Cook in 1778 when he had to “decide” which passage to explore. Accessible only by boat or kayak.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Alaska |
| Access | Check AK State Parks |
About Decision Point
Decision Point State Marine Park in Prince William Sound marks the point where early navigators had to decide which direction to travel through the sound. The park protects a scenic point and beach in one of the most pristine marine environments in North America — still recovering from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.
Decision Point State Marine Park in Prince William Sound protects a sheltered cove accessible only by boat or floatplane — typical of Alaska’s marine parks, where roadless wilderness is the norm. Prince William Sound encompasses 15,000 square miles of fjords, glaciers, and islands — one of the most spectacular coastal landscapes on Earth. The sound’s tidewater glaciers calve icebergs directly into the sea.
Things to Do
Sea kayaking, beach camping, wildlife viewing (sea otters, harbor seals, bald eagles), fishing for salmon and rockfish, and exploring Prince William Sound’s glacial fjords. Access by boat or kayak from Whittier.
Kayaking in the protected cove, wildlife watching for sea otters, harbor seals, and humpback whales, beachcombing, primitive camping, fishing for halibut and rockfish, and experiencing roadless Alaska wilderness.
Insider Tips
Prince William Sound gateway: Decision Point marks where Passage Canal opens into the wider Sound — a dramatic transition from sheltered water to open ocean. Pro tip: Kayakers should assess weather conditions here before committing to open-water crossings. Sea otter central: Rafts of 50+ sea otters are common — they float on their backs cracking shellfish on rocks balanced on their bellies.
Best Time to Visit
June-August: Calmest seas and longest days. May: Gray whale migration through the Sound. September: Fall colors on surrounding mountains. Winter: Not recommended — extreme conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Decision Point?
By kayak or boat from Whittier (accessible by car via the Anton Anderson Tunnel — the longest highway tunnel in North America at 2.5 miles). Water taxis from Whittier serve the area.
More parks nearby: Surprise Cove State Marine Park is a short drive away, while Ziegler Cove State Marine Park lies a short drive away.
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Alaska state parks online at alaskastateparks.reserveamerica.com.
Park Location
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