The Quiet Fishing Town In Alaska That Seems Frozen In Time
The isolated little fishing town of Cordova, Alaska is the perfect place to go if you want to escape the crowds and submerge yourself in an area that flourishes with old fashioned charm. The prolific salmon runs from the Copper River will tantalize your taste buds and keep you coming back for more. Yet the majestic panoramic beauty of the mountains will steal your heart in a way that you never dreamed imaginable. There is no place in the world like Cordova – you’d be crazy not to visit.
The incredibly gorgeous town of Cordova is located at the head of Orca Inlet, on the eastern side of Prince William Sound and near the mouth of the Copper River. This community is rich with natural resources, warm hospitality and incredibly kind people. The town itself, however, seems to have been frozen in time. The buildings are old and charming, and everyone likes it just the way it is. No one seems to be too concerned with the 'status quo' and everyone bands together to help each other out when needed. It's one of the most unique places in the entire state of Alaska, and it's sure to hold a special place in your heart after just one visit.
One of the most charming aspects about Cordova is its remote location. Visitors can access the enchanting area via plane or ferry.
The 290 mile long Copper River is known for it's known for its extensive delta ecosystem as well as the incredibly renowned Copper River Salmon. As some of the most prized salmon in the entire world, people flock to this area to take advantage of the prolific salmon run. The freshwater fishing in Cordova is some of the best in the world and it truly makes the community shine with pride.
In addition to the freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing is also very popular in the town. You can go after all five species of salmon, dolly varden, char, steelhead, cutthroat trout, big halibut, lingcod and rockfish.
The town was originally founded as a mining town, most for the Kennecott Copper Mine. Today the mine is no longer in operation but still exists as a popular tourist attraction offering ghost tours.
Don't think you can escape a trip to Cordova without seeing massive Alaska-sized glaciers. There is no quicker way to take your fishing up a notch than to reel in a massive salmon or halibut with abundant views of glaciers in the background. Childs Glacier is a main attraction in the area as it's size has the mere ability to make your jaw drop and completely blow you away. Who really cares if the town is frozen in time if you are surrounded by natural beauty, right?
Now when we say 'frozen in time' we don't mean that literally, although this quaint fishing town does get their fair share of the Alaskan extremes.
The yearly average rainfall is 89 inches with around 125 rainy days out of the year. The snowy months are generally between December and March, with an average of 127 inches of snow per year. The low temps in the winter months average about 15 degrees and the average high temps in the summer months are around 70 degrees.
As you drive down Main Street you'll fall in love with the charming old buildings adorned with towering mountains in the distance.
If you don't like the rush of the city and prefer a simpler way of life, you'll love it here. You'll even be able to count the number of stop lights in the entire town on just your hands alone. This tiny town has an annual population of only 2,200 people.
As you'll see pictured above with Baja Taco, even the restaurants are frozen in time. The old bus is the perfect way to get people to turn their heads and come right inside. On 'Taco Tuesday' there is simply nothing better than tacos made with fresh wild Alaska halibut (or salmon) caught right in town.
Even the "mudhole" airport in town seems to be frozen in time (literally and figuratively - depending on the time of year).
The town may be frozen in time, but the outdoor activities are truly limitless in this isolated area. If you love experiencing breathtaking vistas, hiking with your pups and spending your days getting up close and personal with nature - you'll be in heaven in Cordova. Mt. Eyak ski area operates a single chair ski lift and rope tow or you can go deep into the Chugach Mountains and chase summits with the best of em'.
In an old-fashioned fishing town, the greatest gift from the present that you can ever ask for is a stunning watercolor sunset or a spectacular Northern Lights show dancing over the boat ramp.
Put a visit to this tiny town on your Alaska bucket list STAT. We guarantee that you won't regret it!
If you love fishing towns, you’ll definitely agree that this charming town in Alaska is perfect for a summer day trip. It’s also beautiful in the fall and offers great fishing and outdoor recreation activities!
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