Alaska Peninsula

Plan Your Visit

Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge presents a breathtakingly dramatic landscape made up of active volcanoes, towering mountain peaks, rolling tundra and rugged, wave-battered coastlines.

The Bristol Bay side of the refuge consists primarily of tundra, lakes and wetlands. From these coastal lowlands, the land rises to steep glaciated mountains, forming the spine of the refuge, and then plunges to steep cliffs and sandy beaches on the Pacific side. As is the case with most of Alaska's coastal refuges, salmon provide the principal nutrient “engine" for Alaska Peninsula, supporting the people and wildlife that depend on them. When the salmon are running, Ugashik Lakes and the streams that surround them attract brown bears in great numbers.

The refuge offers a variety of recreational opportunities including sport fishing and hunting, observing/photographing wildlife, hiking, backpacking, boating and camping. Refuge lands are remote and accessible only by small aircraft, boat, or rugged cross country hiking. There are no roads or maintained trails and help can be hours away if something goes wrong. Please prepare accordingly.