Nutkwa Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated

Nutkwa Falls is a waterfall in Prince of Wales-Hyder (CA) County, Alaska, about 34 miles southeast of Craig. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Prince of Wales-Hyder (CA) County, AK

Nearest town

Craig (34 mi)

Coordinates

55.11861, -132.53944

USGS topo

Craig A-2 SW quad

Getting there

Nutkwa Falls sits about 34 miles southeast of Craig in Prince of Wales-Hyder (CA) County. Navigate to the coordinates 55.11861, -132.53944, which mark the waterfall itself; the trailhead or parking area may be some distance away.

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Nutkwa Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

Most of Alaska's named falls lie on public land managed by the Tongass and Chugach national forests, the National Park Service, state parks such as Chugach State Park, or the Bureau of Land Management, with some on Native corporation land where permission may be needed. Only a minority are on the road system; elsewhere, access depends on ferries, floatplanes or boats, and weather delays are routine. Bears are present across the state, so carrying bear spray and making noise on brushy trails is standard practice. Glacial meltwater is dangerously cold and silty, which hides depth and footing, and rivers rise quickly on warm afternoons. Near glaciers, ice calving and rockfall make approaching the base of a fall unwise. Rain gear and layers are essential even in July.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Nutkwa Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of Alaska. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 55.11861, -132.53944 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Warm layers. Northern and mountain weather changes quickly; spring and fall mornings can be near freezing.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

Alaska's waterfall season is short and runs roughly from late May into September. Snowmelt drives the strongest flows from late May through June in Southcentral and the Interior, while glacier-fed streams keep running hard through July and August as summer heat melts ice. In Southeast Alaska, rain matters as much as melt: the wettest stretch typically arrives in autumn, so September and October can produce surging falls along with low cloud and short days. Brooks Falls draws visitors in July, when sockeye runs peak, and again in September. Winter brings deep snow, avalanche danger on steep approaches and many frozen falls, though some roadside cascades become ice climbing objectives. Cruise-ship days concentrate crowds at Juneau and Skagway trailheads in midsummer.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

History of the area

According to the U.S. Geological Survey's naming record: Name, possibly Indian, reported in 1951 by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

The federal gazetteer describes it this way: on Prince of Wales I., between Nutkwa Inlet and Nutkwa Lagoon, Alex. Arch.

Nutkwa Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on March 31, 1981, and it appears on the USGS Craig A-2 SW 7.5-minute topographic map.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Nutkwa Lagoon (lake, 1.7 mi).

Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage. The Panhandle holds the largest share of Alaska's named falls. Temperate rainforest of spruce and hemlock covers steep slopes that drop directly to saltwater channels, and creeks fed by rain, snowfields and glaciers pour off them in long white ribbons. Juneau is the hub: Nugget Falls tumbles beside the Mendenhall Glacier at the end of a popular walk, while Ebner Falls sits above the Last Chance Basin just outside town, close to the city's old mining country. Skagway's Reid Falls is reached on a forest trail at the edge of town, and the Pitchfork Falls area above Goat Lake shows how far some of these streams drop. Many other falls here are seen only from boats and ferries.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Nutkwa Falls about 34 miles southeast of Craig is a documented waterfall in the federal gazetteer. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Nutkwa Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.