You don't stumble onto Unga by accident. That's rather the point. Unga Island (Uĝnaasaqax̂ in Aleut) is the largest of the Shumagin Islands off the Alaska Peninsula in southwestern Alaska, United States. The island has a land area of 170.73 sq mi (442.
Aleutians East Borough County holds 2 documented ghost towns, including Belkofski — Unga keeps them company on the map.
The story of Unga
Alaska's ghost towns are the most extreme on the continent — total commitment, total abandonment, everything preserved by the cold.
Unga Island (Uĝnaasaqax̂ in Aleut) is the largest of the Shumagin Islands off the Alaska Peninsula in southwestern Alaska, United States. The island has a land area of 170.73 sq mi (442.188 km2), making it the 36th largest island in the United States. As of the 2000 census, it had a permanent population of one. Unga Island was formerly named Grekodelarovskoe (Greek Delarov) for Greek explorer Evstratii Ivanovich Delarov Greek: (Ευστράτιος Ντελάρωφ) who explored the area in the late 18th century on behalf of the Russian-American Company.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Unga 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 Unga 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 Unga is roughly 55.2606, -160.6950 — 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
Unga FAQs
01Where is Unga located?
02What county is Unga in?
03What is the history of Unga?
04What remains at Unga today?
05Can you visit Unga?
Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Unga Island”), CC BY-SA.
More in Aleutians East Borough County
Belkofski
Aleutians East Borough Co., Alaska
Read the guideMakushin
Aleutians West Census Area Co., Alaska
Read the guidePortage
Anchorage Co., Alaska
Read the guideKashega
Aleutians West Census Area Co., Alaska
Read the guideThree Saints Bay
Kodiak Island Borough Co., Alaska
Read the guideKatmai
Kodiak Island Borough Co., Alaska
Read the guide