Boomtowns are built on optimism; ghost towns are what's left when it runs out. Welcome to Katalla. Katalla (pronounced KA-tell-ah, sometimes spelled Catalla) is a ghost town in the Chugach Census Area in the U.S. state of Alaska, 76 km (47 mi) southeast of Cordova. The name of this town was sometimes spelled Catalla.
Chugach Census Area County holds 2 documented ghost towns, including Chenega — Katalla keeps them company on the map.
The story of Katalla
Alaska's ghost towns are the most extreme on the continent — total commitment, total abandonment, everything preserved by the cold.
Katalla (pronounced KA-tell-ah, sometimes spelled Catalla) is a ghost town in the Chugach Census Area in the U.S. state of Alaska, 76 km (47 mi) southeast of Cordova. The name of this town was sometimes spelled Catalla. It is now abandoned.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Katalla is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.
Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.
Getting there
Here's the honest truth: access to Katalla is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Katalla is roughly 60.1950, -144.5211 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.
Good to know
Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.
Survey Map
Approximate position — verify access locally before visiting
Katalla FAQs
01Where is Katalla located?
02What county is Katalla in?
03What is the history of Katalla?
04What remains at Katalla today?
05Can you visit Katalla?
Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Katalla, Alaska”), CC BY-SA.
More in Chugach Census Area County
Chenega
Chugach Census Area Co., Alaska
Read the guideKennecott
Valdez-Cordova Co., Alaska
Read the guideChisana
Valdez-Cordova Co., Alaska
Read the guideKnik
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Co., Alaska
Read the guideIndependence Mine
Matanuska-Susitna Co., Alaska
Read the guideIndependence Mines
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Co., Alaska
Read the guide