Ghost TownUSA

Ghost Town · Alaska

Unga

A ghost town of unknown status in Aleutians East Borough County, Alaska.

By the Ghost Town USA research team Last reviewed September 2026

Unga ghost town, Alaska
Plate I — Unga, AlaskaPhoto: Carrite (CC-BY-SA-3.0) via Wikimedia Commons

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Survey Map

Approximate position — verify access locally before visiting

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Unga FAQs

01Where is Unga located?
Unga is in Aleutians East Borough County, Alaska, mapped near 55.2606, -160.6950.
02What county is Unga in?
Unga sits in Aleutians East Borough County, Alaska. See our full guide to ghost towns in Aleutians East Borough County for its neighbors.
03What is the history of Unga?
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.
04What remains at Unga 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.
05Can you visit Unga?
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.

Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Unga Island”), CC BY-SA.

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More in Aleutians East Borough County

All 2 ghost towns in Aleutians East Borough County →