Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge

With pristine boreal ecosystem and protected wildlife, this refuge delivers the ultimate Alaskan wilderness experience

Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge is a 1.6 million acre preserve south of Bettles in central Alaska that extends over the rolling forested plain of the Kanuti and Koyukuk rivers. The Athabascan translation of Kanuti means "well traveled river by both man and animals.”

History

Along with 15 other refuges in Alaska, the Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1980 with the passage of The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.

Ecosystem

The refuge is a prime example of Alaska's boreal ecosystem, an area dominated by black and white spruce with some white birch and poplars and interspersed by rivers, lakes, ponds wetlands and open spaces. The wetlands and open water provide nesting habitat for large populations of migratory waterfowl, including Alaska's greatest nesting density of white-fronted geese.

Wildlife

Kanuti is also home to 130 species of other birds, including four species of loons, 12 species of raptors ranging from ospreys and bald eagles to Peregrine falcons and 20 species of waterfowl that nest in the area. The refuge also provides space and isolation for moose, wolves, black and brown bears and wolverines while the Western Arctic caribou herd uses part of the refuge as its winter grounds. Seasonally flooded streams and rivers are home to salmon, Arctic grayling and whitefish.

Activities

For many, visiting Kanuti is the ultimate Alaskan wilderness experience as the refuge is an area slightly larger than the state of Delaware totally absence of roads. Visitors have opportunities that include camping, fishing, hunting, river floating, wildlife viewing and photography.

Traveling by river is the most popular way to experience the refuge. The refuge can be accessed by several rivers intersecting the Dalton Highway or by plane. Backpackers can also explore the Kanuti on foot by staying on uplands or on river corridors where firm gravel bars can be found, versus tromping across the vast acres of wetlands, tussocks and lakes. The easiest way to see the refuge and get a sense of its size and remoteness is through a flightseeing tour.