At 19 million acres, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is a vast and beautiful wilderness. The majestic Brooks Range, with peaks and glaciers to 9,000 feet, dominates the refuge. These rugged mountains extend east to west in a band 75 miles wide, rising abruptly from a flat, tundra-covered plain. Numerous braided rivers and streams cut through this treeless expanse. South of the continental divide, rivers wind serpentine courses through broad, spruce-covered valleys dotted with lakes and sloughs.
ANWR contains the greatest wildlife diversity of any protected area in the circumpolar north. Nearly 180 species of birds have been seen on the refuge and come from four continents to breed, rest or feed from April to July. These migrating avian share the refuge with owls, golden eagles, hawks and peregrine falcons. August brings thousands of snow geese as they begin the journey south. ANWR is also home to 45 species of mammals, including the Porcupine caribou herd, the second largest herd numbering about 160,000. Dall sheep roam the mountains, moose and musk oxen graze the plains, polar bear hunt along the coast and grizzly and black bear forage for food along rivers and streams.
Activities and Attractions
Remote wilderness, abundant wildlife and adventure draw visitors to ANWR. River floating, hiking and camping, hunting and fishing, and wildlife viewing make up the main activities in the refuge. You can visit the refuge on your own or travel with a guided group. Visiting on your own requires a great deal of planning, preparation and experience in remote areas. Adventure guides offer longer river, hiking and wildlife observation trips and usually provide gear and meals. Day trips are also available throughout the summer. Make your plans or booking well in advance due to the high demand and short season.
Accessibility
ANWR is roadless, so primary access is by air. Most visitors fly scheduled air service from Fairbanks to Fort Yukon, Kaktovik or Deadhorse, then charter to a river gravel bar or tundra landing site.
Fees
There are no visitor fees.
Weather and Climate
Snow usually blankets the ground from September through May, but freezing temperatures can occur any month, especially north of the mountains. Summers last from June through August. Strong winds, cool temperatures, clouds and fog are typical near the coast. Blue skies, variable winds and moderate temperatures are more common inland. Areas south of the mountains have more rainfall, greater temperature extremes and lighter winds.
Facilities
ANWR Headquarters and Information Center - 907-456-0250 - Located at 101 12th Avenue, Room 236, Fairbanks (Open year-round).
History
In 1960, the Eisenhower administration established the 8.9 million acre Arctic National Wildlife Range. In 1980 the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act was established which expanded the Arctic Range to approximately 18 million acres and renamed it the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. In 1983 one million acres were added to the south side of the Refuge when the State of Alaska decided not to retain control of lands it had selected under the Statehood Act. In 1988, Congress added 325,000 acres to the south side of the refuge, bringing the total area to approximately 19.3 million acres.
http://arctic.fws.gov/