Paddling near Yakutat, AK

Yakutat sits within Tongass National Forest on the Gulf of Alaska coast, its very name derived from an Eyak word meaning "where the canoes rest." Hundreds of miles of waterways — rivers, fjords, estuaries, bays, and open ocean — are accessible by kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, most within a short drive of town. The marquee destination is Russell Fjord Wilderness, a 545-square-mile preserve that includes Hubbard Glacier and draws sea kayakers from around the world.