Meshik (MEH-shick) is the traditional Aleut name place for the community of Port Heiden. During WW II, Port Heiden was a strategic military location that played a pivotal role in the defense of the Western United States from the invading Japanese.
Today, Port Heiden is the doorstep to some of the Alaska Peninsula’s most stunning scenery and geographic ranges, which include the Aniakchak Crater and volcano. Port Heiden provides strategic access to some of the most unspoiled sport fish and trophy hunting Alaska has to offer. Also known by the Sugpiaq traditional name place “Meshik”, Port Heiden is located 424 miles southwest of Anchorage at the mouth of the Meshik River on the north side of Alaska Peninsula.
In 1942, the United States Army constructed Fort Morrow Army Airfield in the wake of the Japanese invasion of the Aleutian Islands. A garrison of approximately 1,400 troops populated the station during the wartime effort. In 1969, advancements in technology led to the military suspension of the airfield for strategic purposes, at which time the field transitioned primarily to civilian use.
APC owns a total of 63,387 acres around Port Heiden. The village is composed of a total of 51.4 square miles- of that, 50.7 square miles is land and 0.7 square miles is inland water.
Walrus haul out on a beach near Port Heiden.
To learn more about Port Heiden, purchasing a land use permit or connecting with our partner recreational vendors, contact Lands and Resources management at (907)274-2433.