Snettisham

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

The Snettisham hydroelectric power plant is a 78 MW power plant located 28 miles south of central Juneau, Alaska and accessible only by boat or seaplane. The power plant is fed by two lakes that are tapped from below, negating the need for a traditional dam. As of 2020 it supplies 65% of the electricity for Alaska Electric Light & Power. It is connected to Juneau by a 44-mile transmission line. It was completed in 1973.

The on-the-ground condition of Snettisham 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 Snettisham 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.