The Kodiak Crab Festival
2025 marks the 67th annual Kodiak Crab Festival. Although the full lineup of activities isn't yet posted, the event's tagline of "It's Otter Chaos" shows that the organizers possess a bit of whimsy. As usual, the lineup will consist of performers not only that the festival organizers hire but also groups and individuals who apply to be part of the show. So, if you and some friends have a band, then you can apply to perform at Kodiak Crab Festival! Most of the other activities, at least tangentially, involve crabbing in one way or another.
ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT
The Kodiak Crab Festival website only lists the Grand Parade that takes place on May 24. Other than that, there is no information regarding any of the other activities that will happen during the festival. Keep checking the website regularly for updates.
ON-SITE AMENITIES
On the website, there is no map nor any list of the amenities that are on the grounds where the festival takes place. There will be updates to the website as they become available, so check it regularly.
LOCATION
There is no address listed on the website other than "Kodiak, Alaska." The island is famous for its wildlife, relatively warm climate, and abundant fishing and hunting opportunities.
LINEUP
The lineup for the 2025 Kodiak Crab Festival isn't set yet. Stay tuned for updates as they happen by visiting the official website.
RVING AT THE EVENT
The Kodiak Crab Festival doesn't provide RV accommodations. However, the RV campground at the Buskin River State Recreation Area is an excellent choice for RV camping on Kodiak Island. The 15 campsites are dry and have a 40-foot RV limit. The site is similar to those administered by the Bureau of Land Management on the mainland, having a limit of 14 days within every 28. The campground has a picnic shelter and other picnic sites, chemical toilets, and communal water. Some of the sites comply with the regulations of the Americans With Disabilities Act. The Pasagshak State Recreational Site also provides RV camping. It's similar to that of the Buskin River State Recreation Area: dry camping with the same amenities and a maximum RV length of 40 feet. However, the stay limit is just seven days. In addition to the campgrounds, there are numerous areas where you're allowed to boondock on Kodiak Island. Depending on various weather patterns and/or wildlife migrations, certain areas of the island are off limits at different times. Alaska 511 has most of the information on these closures. Otherwise, you can boondock almost anywhere on Kodiak Island. When boondocking, be sure to keep all food in a bear-proof container, preferably inside your RV. The Kodiak Brown Bear is the largest land predator in the world, and one of them can visit at any time. Be "bear aware" at all times, and practice bear safety. The preceding safety tips are for hunters, but the general rules therein are good for anyone camping on Kodiak Island and can save your life. You may not know it, but there are RV rentals available on Kodiak Island itself and not just on the Alaskan mainland. Passage on the ferry to the island is less without a vehicle than it is with one, so you have that option. Should you not want to take the ferry, then you can fly. See the "How to Get There" section for further details. When the time comes to return your RV to its owner there are nine steps you should follow. Because of warm currents from the Pacific Ocean that flow through the Gulf of Alaska, Kodiak Island is much warmer than almost all of the rest of Alaska. The average temperature in May is around freezing. You'll still need to protect yourself from the cold, but you won't experience bitter temperatures. The "rules" can be summed up by the acronym COLD: • Keep it "C"lean • Keep it "O"pen • Keep it "L"ayered • Keep it "D"ry
WHERE TO STAY
If RV camping isn't your thing, then you can stay in one of the hotels on Kodiak Island. The Best Western Kodiak Inn is a good option. So is the Kodiak Compass Suites. Each of these hotels provides the kind of amenities you would expect: fitness centers, business centers, free breakfast, complimentary Wi-Fi, and terrific views. The Compass Suites even gives you access to large freezers so that you can store any meat that you've gotten from hunting.
HOW TO GET THERE
You can't drive directly to the island because it's 136 miles out to sea, which is too long for a bridge. The only ways to get there are to fly or to take the ferry. The ferry terminal is in Homer, Alaska. To get there, simply follow Route 1 from Anchorage. It's a 4.5-hour trip in good weather. From Homer, it's about a 10-hour ferry ride to the island. The ferry is large enough to accommodate RVs up to 48 feet in length. If you have a fifth wheel or other towed RV, then if the combined length of your RV and tow vehicle is greater than 48 feet, you'll have to pay for the passage of two vehicles. Alternatively, you can choose to fly to Kodiak Island from Anchorage and then rent your RV once you're there.
PARKING
The Kodiak Crab Festival doesn't have parking. You'll have to choose one of the municipal parking lots in town. It would be wise to check with the lots before you arrive on the island because some of them cannot accommodate RVs at all, let alone big ones. The airport offers parking, but it's generally for long-term customers. Along the roads that parallel the beaches outside of town, you may find parking lots that can accommodate RVs, but you'll then have to arrange transport into town. Always secure your RV and keep all food inside a bear-proof container no matter where you park. Otherwise, one of your furry friends might break in to find something to eat.
TICKETS & PRICING
Most of the events at the Kodiak Crab Festival are free. For those that do require tickets, no information is yet posted.
WRAP UP
The festival will have a homey feel because of the local performers and crab-themed activities, and you can enjoy the spectacular scenery and recreation on Kodiak Island when you're not actually at the festival. You can read all the latest discussion about the Kodiak Crab Festival on its Facebook profile. Have a safe trip!
Please note, this is not the official source of the event information. While we try to be as comprehensive as possible, some details may have changed since the time this article was written. Please confirm final details with the official event page.
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