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Group of people around a Russian cross in tall grass Photo: NPS Photo

Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area

National Historic Area · Alaska

The remote Aleutian Islands, home to the Unangax̂ (Aleut) people for over 8,000 years, became a fiercely contested Pacific battleground in World War II.

Plan your visit Directions
  • LocationUnalaska, AK
  • Entrance No fee listed
  • HoursDaily, 8:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Weather now45°F Light rain
  • Alerts No active alerts

Some Unangax̂ were taken from their homelands as Japanese prisoners of war while the others were evacuated from the islands by the government. Both groups suffered greatly during the war, and some would never return to their villages.

Topics
  • Archeology
  • Arctic
  • Aviation
  • Battlefields
  • Coastal Defenses
  • Coasts, Islands and Atolls
  • Colonization and Settlement
  • Forced Marches
22 more topics
  • Forts
  • Incarceration
  • Indigenous and Native Warrior
  • Maritime
  • Maritime - Military
  • Massacres
  • Military
  • Monuments and Memorials
  • Mountains
  • Native American Heritage
  • Religion and Spirituality
  • Scenic Views
  • Ships and Shipwrecks
  • Tragic Events
  • Tundra
  • US Air Force (Army Air Corps)
  • US Army
  • US Coast Guard
  • US Marines
  • US Navy
  • Wars and Conflicts
  • World War II
People crowd at the railing of a ship
Pribilof villagers, here lining the railing of the USAT Delarof on the day of their departure (June 15, 1942), were evacuated with only a few hours notice and no idea of their ultimate destination. — Photograph courtesy National Archives

Things to Do

7 activities. Pick one to find other parks that offer it.

Six men with guns carry a person on a stretcher in a valley.
U.S. wounded are gathered from the battlefield on Attu Island. The battle on Attu, lasting nearly 20 days, was the second most deadly in the Pacific Theater. — Photo courtesy National Archives

Facilities & Services

Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.

Other Visitor Services

  • Aleutian World War II National Historic Area Visitor Center

    Facility

    The visitor center for Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area is located on Amaknak Island, a nearby island easily accessible from the major town of…

    2716 Airport Beach Road, Unalaska, AK Directions

    Details
    The visitor center for Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area is located on Amaknak Island, a nearby island easily accessible from the major town of Unalaska.

Plan Your Visit

Hours

Daily, 8:00AM - 5:00PM · Summer Hours

Hours details
  • Summer HoursDaily, 8:00AM - 5:00PM
    Monday8:00AM - 5:00PM
    Tuesday8:00AM - 5:00PM
    Wednesday8:00AM - 5:00PM
    Thursday8:00AM - 5:00PM
    Friday8:00AM - 5:00PM
    Saturday8:00AM - 5:00PM
    Sunday8:00AM - 5:00PM

Entrance fees

No entrance fees listed.

Weather

45°F
Light rain · feels like 35°
  • Today 46° 45°
    Light rain
    93% rain
  • Tomorrow 46° 45°
    Light rain shower
    89% rain
  • Saturday 48° 44°
    Sunny
    78% rain

Updated 3 hr ago

WeatherSmall Craft Advisory Details

Small Craft Advisory issued September 30 at 3:09PM AKDT until October 2 at 5:00AM AKDT by NWS Anchorage AK

Coastal Waters Forecast for Southwest Alaska+Bristol Bay+The
Alaska Peninsula Waters and the Aleutian Islands up to 100 nm out.

Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction
expected. Sea forecasts represent an average of the highest
one-third of the combined wind wave and swell height.

.TONIGHT...E wind 10 kt increasing to 20 kt after midnight. Seas
3 ft. Rain.
.THU...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 5 ft. Rain.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Gusts to 40 kt. Seas 8 ft. Rain.
.FRI...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SAT...SW wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN...SW wind 30 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.MON...W wind 35 kt. Seas 5 ft.

WeatherSmall Craft Advisory Details

Small Craft Advisory issued October 1 at 3:43AM AKDT until October 2 at 5:00PM AKDT by NWS Anchorage AK

Coastal Waters Forecast for Southwest Alaska+Bristol Bay+The
Alaska Peninsula Waters and the Aleutian Islands up to 100 nm out.

Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction
expected. Sea forecasts represent an average of the highest
one-third of the combined wind wave and swell height.

.TODAY...E wind 30 kt. Seas 5 ft. Rain.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 10 ft. Rain.
.FRI...NE wind 25 kt diminishing to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas
7 ft. Rain.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SAT...S wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN...SW wind 30 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.MON...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 9 ft.

What to expect by season

The Aleutian Islands are known for unpredictable and stormy weather. Rain, fog, and wind are common. Dress warmly and carry rain gear even in summer. Summer temperatures range from 45 to 65 degrees F.

Contact the park

Photos

  • A uniformed man holds up a broken Russian cross
    The Aleutian campaign brought together Russian, Native Alaskan, Japanese, and Euroamerican cultures. During the war 7 historic churches were damaged or destroyed. Villages were unrecognizable or burned to the ground and personal belonging lost or stolen. — Photo courtesy National Archives

Getting There

Aleutian Islands WWII Visitor Center
Unalaska, AK 99692

The park is located on Amaknak Island in the Aleutian Island chain. The island is located 800 miles west of Anchorage.

Full directions

The island can be reached by ferry or by commercial or charter air flights from Anchorage. If you choose to fly, the Aleutian World War II Visitor Center is conveniently located next to the Unalaska airport.

Get directions NPS directions Official NPS site

Mailing address: Aleutian Islands WWII Visitor Center, Unalaska, AK 99692

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