Speel River

Alaska's ghost towns are the most extreme on the continent — total commitment, total abandonment, everything preserved by the cold.

The Speel River is a river in the southeastern portion of the City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska. It begins at Speel Glacier and flows for 18 kilometers (11 mi) before entering Port Snettisham. It has a drainage area of 226 miles (363.71 km), typically steep and wooded terrain. A pulp mill operated along the Speel River during the 1920s, which produced 40 tons of pulp per day. The Speel Dam was proposed on the river in the 1950s and 1960s.

The on-the-ground condition of Speel River 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.

Here's the honest truth: access to Speel River 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.

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.