Island community with views of a glacier, wildlife
Separated from Downtown Juneau by the Gastineau Channel, North Douglas is an island community with wilderness access. “It’s more isolated, and tourists don’t really come up here,” says Jay Urquhart, who lives in the neighborhood and works at Window, Quilt and Blinds of Alaska. “You get beautiful views of the Mendenhall Glacier if you’re in the right spot. When the tide comes in and the salmon are spawning, you can see them jumping in the channel. Sitting here right now, there are eagles in the tree next to me.” This north side of Douglas Island is mostly forest, but it has about 400 homes along the coast. Residents are just south of Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge, and they’re close to many trailheads. With that said, this community is about 7 miles south of downtown via the Douglas Highway. It can also get over 300 inches of snow.
North Douglas is a picturesque island community surrounded by wildlife and natural beauty.
Black bears and other wildlife frequently roam through the North Douglas neighborhood.
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Eaglecrest Ski Area, trails in Tongass National Forest
Eaglecrest Ski Area, toward the center of the island, is about 5 miles south of most homes. This area has over 600 acres of slopes, and routes cater to all experience levels. It also hosts the Winter Fireworks Spectacular in February; in addition to fireworks, this event includes a bonfire and a torchlight parade. Trails weave through this mountainous area, and several are accessible along the Douglas Highway. The Fish Creek Trail is one such trail, and it’s a 4-mile out-and-back along a creek. The Treadwell Ditch Trail is another option with views of the eastern coast, and it runs for just under 15 miles. On the western side of the island, Pioneer Road is a gravel path known for wildlife viewing, and it’s about 7 miles long. The Tongass National Forest covers about 17 million acres, and it protects Douglas Island and most of the Alexander Archipelago. Camping, hunting and fishing are common activities throughout, and kayaking is permitted in neighboring waterways. The Mendenhall Glacier is over 15 miles away by car, but as Urquhart says, it can be seen from the island's northern shore. The ice feeds into Mendenhall Lake, and trails follow the water.
Eaglecrest Ski Area is in North Douglas, offering ski slopes to enjoy during the winter months.
Enjoy outdoor activities at Mendenhall Glacier, located just 15 miles from North Douglas.
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Going into town: Juneau shops and restaurants
South on the Douglas Highway and across the Juneau-Douglas Bridge, Downtown Juneau is the commercial center for this region. It attracts more than a million tourists each year, but locals also frequent its bars, restaurants and shops. The Hangar On the Wharf is a popular spot with views of the water, and Tracy’s King Crab Shack is next to one of the town’s piers. Sandpiper Café specializes in breakfast and lunch, and Deckhand Dave’s has an outdoor space for fish tacos. Mt. Juneau Trading Post and Chilkat River Trading sell masks and other Alaska Native goods, and clothing boutiques cater to any budget. Rainbow Foods sells organic products on the north side of town, and Foodland IGA has groceries closer to the bridge.
Shop a diverse selection of clothing and jewelry at Trove, located near North Douglas.
The Hangar On The Wharf is a popular restaurant near North Douglas that serves delicious food.
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Year-round events near downtown Juneau
The Alaskan Hotel and Bar, in addition to the Crystal Saloon, hosts frequent karaoke nights, and live music is common throughout the downtown district. Capital City Brewfest is a beer sampling event that supports the local Rotary Club, and it’s been a September staple since 2010. Along with the Frank Maier Marathon through downtown, Douglas Island hosts a half-marathon in July. It’s an out-and-back that starts and ends at Sandy Beach, on the island's south side. Auke Bay is about 10 miles north of town, and it hosts the Golden North Salmon Derby every summer. This competition has been going on since 1947.
Grab a seat at the bar and enjoy a beer at Louie's Douglas Inn, located near North Douglas.
A life-sized whale sculpture emerging from an infinity pool is situated near North Douglas.
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Private homes tucked into the pines
Most homes are near the northernmost point of the island, just off the Douglas Highway. They’re typically custom-built, so each home is different than the next. Some have a cabin aesthetic with wood paneling and earth-colored paint; others are more barn-like with arched roofs and lots of windows. They’re typically above 1,500 square feet and set back on sizeable lots, accessible via lengthy gravel driveways. Secluded lots are covered in pines, except for the area where the house was built. On the south side of the Douglas Highway, the land slopes, and homes are closer to the island’s mountains. On the north side, the land flattens, and homes are closer to the wetlands. Either case provides privacy from neighbors, minus the big furry kind. Bears and other wildlife often wander into front yards: garbage should be hidden away, and pets should be looked after. Lots are available for about $150,000. The typical home is between $500,000 and $700,000, but bigger estates are closer to a million.
North Douglas homes feature earth-toned siding and were built in the late 20th century.
North Douglas homes offer a sense of seclusion while still being within reach of amenities.
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High marks for Juneau-Borough Schools
Students on Douglas Island attend Sayéik: Gastineau Community School, serving kindergarten through sixth grade. From the island’s northernmost point, it’s about 7 miles down the coast and into the town of Douglas. It gets a B-minus from Niche and has about 200 students. From the same point, Thunder Mountain Middle is roughly a 10-mile drive through Downtown Juneau and into the Mendenhall Valley. This used to be a high school, but due to funding changes in 2024, all the area’s middle schools were merged to this location. Niche gave this public school an A and ranked it as the third-best in Alaska. Now the main option is Juneau-Douglas High, about 7 miles from the northernmost point. This downtown school gets an A-minus and ranks No. 16 for Alaska, ahead of 117 others. Juneau Community Charter School is nearby, and it provides an alternative for kindergarten through eighth grade. It gets another A-minus.
North Douglas students attend Thunder Mountain Middle School for 7th and 8th grades.
Gastineau Elementary School serves North Douglas students in kindergarten through 6th grade.
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Roads into town, ferries to explore southeast Alaska
Since most homes are about 7 miles north of downtown, residents probably need a car. Snow tires and four-wheel drive are recommended, as roads can get icy in winter. The Douglas Highway has several offshoots with residential, but the other main thoroughfare is Fish Creek Road. It goes about 5 miles south to Eaglecrest Ski Area and the center of the island. Most trips, though, are along the Douglas Highway into Downtown Juneau. After crossing the Juneau-Douglas Bridge, drivers can continue 8 miles north on the Glacier Highway and visit the Mendenhall Valley. North Douglas is just south of this town, but because of the Mendenhall Wetlands in between, the valley is mostly accessible by car. Another option is to drop into Fritz Cove, using North Douglas’ boat ramp, and go up the Mendenhall River. Juneau International Airport is in this valley, and it has flights to the Lower 48 or other towns in Alaska. Ferries go all around the archipelago; this Alaskan Marine Highway connects over 30 communities and 3,500 miles. The ferry terminal is about 15 miles north of Downtown Juneau in Auke Bay, and Capital Transit operates a bus route through here. Glacier Bay National Park is accessible by ferry or seaplane, and it’s about 110 miles northwest.
Catch a ferry in North Douglas to travel around the Juneau area or to other parts of Alaska.
Surrounded by dense forests and abundant wildlife, North Douglas is a tranquil island community.
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Escape to your own private sanctuary with this rare opportunity to own two homes nestled on an almost 2-acre wooded lot. Surrounded by towering trees and the sounds of nature, this one-of-a-kind property offers peace and privacy—yet is just minutes from downtown Douglas and Juneau, Eaglecrest Ski Lodge, numerous hiking trails, the boat harbor, and more. The upper lot home is a charming
If you’ve been looking for an alternative to the standard townhome in Juneau, this brand-new listing in Bonnie Brae could be the one for you! A home with unique features is hard to come by - you’ll appreciate the thoughtful built-ins throughout this home, as well as custom counters and new flooring. But let’s begin at the beginning: the classy curb appeal and forested setting will greet you
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,036
Median Age
44
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
21.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$133,928
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$158,116
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.6%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
48.6%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
19.2%
% Population in Labor Force
70.8%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
67''
Average Winter Low Temperature
24°F
Average Summer High Temperature
64°F
Annual Snowfall
84''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
9/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
2/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
