Kodiak is a rugged, beautiful island on the coast of southwestern Alaska. Established in 1941, the refuge provides habitat for brown bear, salmon and other wildlife. Kodiak's scenery is magnificent with rugged mountains, hundreds of miles of shoreline, lakes, marshes, bogs and meadows. Mountains rise 4,000 feet from the sea accented with fjord-like inlets. Lush vegetation blankets the mountains ranging from sedges, alders and spruce to colorful wildflowers and berries.
The 1.9 million acre refuge roughly encompasses the southwestern two-thirds of Kodiak Island, Uganik Island, the Red Peaks area on northwestern Afognak Island and all of Ban Island. No place on the refuge is more than 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Without roads, the refuge provides a wilderness setting for fish, wildlife and humans alike.
Activities and Attractions
The refuge is home to an estimated 2,300 brown bears, the Kodiak brown bear, and at least 600 nesting pairs of bald eagles. More than 250 species of birds live upon or visit the refuge, while more than 1.5 million seabirds winter in near-shore waters surrounding Kodiak Island. The refuge also provides spawning and rearing habitat for all five species of Pacific salmon. Salmon produced on the refuge make up approximately 65 percent of the total commercial harvest in the Kodiak Archipelago. Kodiak refuge offers superb recreational opportunities including fishing, wildlife observation and photography, kayaking, rafting and camping. The refuge also maintains several remote public-use cabins.
Accessibility
Kodiak Island is accessible by commercial airlines from Anchorage or ferry through the Alaska Marine Highway System. The refuge is accessible only by float plan or boat. Air charters are available in the city of Kodiak. The refuge maintains seven public use cabins, available on a reservation basis by lottery. Visit the Refuge website for more information.
Fees
No visitor fees.
Weather and Climate
The climate of the Kodiak Island is dominated by a strong marine influence. The area is characterized by moderately heavy precipitation, cool temperature and cloudy days with freezing temperatures limited to winter. The humidity is generally high and temperature variation is small. There is a common saying in Kodiak: "Just wait another five minutes and the weather will change." Keep this in mind when visiting. Pack along a raincoat and a pair of waders. You will probably need them. A warm jacket is also a good idea, as the weather can change suddenly and a strong wind causes wind chill effect. It is always cooler when you are along the rivers, on the beach or out in a boat.
Facilities
Headquarters and Visitor Center - 907-487-2600 - Located on Buskin River Road, five miles south of downtown Kodiak or 1/2 mile from the State Airport. (Open year round)
History
Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge was established August 19, 1941.
http://kodiak.fws.gov/index.htm