Sandwiched between Becharof National Wildlife Refuge to the north and Izembek National Wildlife Refuge to the south, 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 refuge contains many unique geologic and scenic features resulting from the interplay of volcanic activity with shoreline erosion and glacial scour.
In addition to its scenic value, the spectacularly rugged Pacific coast with its cliffs, bays, fjords and streams support a diversity of fish and wildlife. Here you will find nesting bald eagles, puffins, cormorants, emperor geese and countless other birds. Harbor seals, sea otters and Stellar sea lion haul out along the coast and gray whales past through on their spring migration. Brown bear forage in coastal meadows in spring and feast on spawning salmon in summer and fall. More than a thousand caribou summer in the coastal drainages and mountains.
Activities and Attractions
The Alaska Peninsula Refuge offers a variety of recreational opportunities including sport fishing, flightseeing, wildlife viewing and photography, hiking, backpacking, boating and camping. Ugashik Lakes and the streams that surround them attract brown bears in great numbers, providing opportunity to observe these bruins in the wild. Several of the refuge’s volcanoes have been active in the recent past. Mt. Chiginigak last erupted in 1971 and continues to vent gases and steam. Mt. Veniaminoff last erupted in 1995 and is massive. The summit crater is about 5.2 miles in diameter and contains a 25-square mile cupped ice field, the most extensive crater glacier in North American. It is the only known glacier on the continent with an active volcanic vent it its center.
Accessibility
Refuge lands are remote and accessible only by small aircraft, boat or rugged cross-country hiking. There are no roads or maintained trails. The King Salmon Visitor Center is a great place to begin your visit to the refuge providing information and trip planning, exhibits and interactive programs as well as information about air charter services and fishing/hunting guides. Regularly scheduled commercial flights are available between King Salmon and Anchorage.
Fees
No fees
Weather and Climate
Cool temperatures, high winds, prolonged cloud cover and frequent precipitation characterize the weather on the Alaska Peninsula. Summer temperatures can range from 32°F to 80°F, with an average in the 50’s. Precipitation varies with elevation and location. The Bristol Bay lowlands usually get less than 20 inches per year, while up to 160 inches fall on the Pacific coast. Most of the rain and fog occurs from July to October.
Facilities
King Salmon Visitor Center – 907-246-4250 – Located 1/8 mile from the King Salmon Airport (open year-round, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.)
History
The Alaska National Interest Land Conservation Act (ANILCA) established the Becharof National Wildlife Refuge in 1980.
http://www.r7.fws.gov/nwr/akpen/index.htm