This preserve protects the largest undisturbed river system remaining in the United States., The remote and vast lands of Noatak National Preserve are located far above the Arctic Circle in a wilderness area bordered almost entirely by the Brooks Range . This 6.6 million acre preserve is the nation’s fourth largest wilderness area and protects the largest undisturbed watershed in North America – the 400 mile long Noatak River. Located northeast of Kotzebue , the preserve borders Gates of…, THINGS TO DO, Noatak National Preserve is a remote jewel in Alaska’s parklands: no roads enter the preserve, and access is only by air, boat, or dogsled/snowmachine in winter. The preserve is home to the the Noatak River, a designated Wild and Scenic River. As one of the least disturbed ecosystems in the world, it provides a unique opportunity for canoe and kayak trips. Although this wilderness river can be…, WILDLIFE, The vast and open terrain along the Noatak River provides ample opportunities for viewing the preserve's wildlife. The Western Arctic caribou herd, numbering around 200,000 animals, migrates through the preserve on their spring and fall migrations. Other mammals include brown bears, moose, Arctic fox, wolves, lynx, musk ox, and Dall’s sheep. A variety of birds also call the preserve home,…, LANDSCAPE, The Noatak River travels through the broad valley of the preserve, bordered by the Baird Mountains to the north and the and De Long Mountains to the south. The river, from its source in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve to its confluence with the Kelly River in the preserve, is part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The Noatak River passes through six regions on its…, HISTORY, Archaeological research has revealed the Noatak National Preserve has been home to the Iñupiat people for over 11,000 years. The area became a national monument in 1978 and a national preserve in 1980 when President Jimmy Carter signed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA)., FACILITIES AND CAMPING, The Noatak National Preserve is one of the finest wilderness areas in the world and has no roads, trails, designative camping areas, visitor facilities, or administrative offices within the preserve. Backcountry camping is permitted. The Northwest Arctic Heritage Center in Kotzebue provides information on Noatak National Preserve and can provide suggestions for float trips and backcountry camping…, GETTING HERE, Access to the preserve is from Bettles or Kotzebue . In the summer, visitors may access the park by chartered flight or boat. In the winter, access is by plane, snowmachine, or dogsled. There is no road access to Noatak National Preserve. In the summer, scheduled air service is available from Anchorage to Kotzebue and Fairbanks to Bettles . Learn more about nearby Gates of the Arctic…
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Encompassing a transition zone, this refuge weaves together boreal forest, Arctic tundra, wetlands, and hot springs., Selawik National Wildlife Refuge is situated in remote northwestern Alaska on the Arctic Circle to the east of Kotzebue Sound. The 2.15-million-acre refuge encompasses an Arctic landscape rich in cultural heritage and natural beauty. The refuge is an awe-inspiring land of vast tundra, spruce forest, and birch and alder-lined foothills. Its sweeping waterways and wetlands give shelter and provide…, THINGS TO DO, The Selawik Wilderness Area has no trails or public facilities. Summer access is difficult due to the area’s remoteness and rough topography. The nearest town is Kotzebue , where visitors can arrange transportation by charter air service to remote locations in the refuge for hunting, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, photography, and other backcountry activities. The refuge's Wilderness adjoins…, WILDLIFE, One of the main reasons the refuge was created was for the protection of the Western Arctic caribou herd, the largest herd in Alaska at about 500,000 animals. The Western Arctic caribou migrate through the refuge on their way from calving to wintering grounds. Other large mammals on the refuge include moose, which began using the refuge in the 1940s, and occasionally muskoxen. Both black and…, LANDSCAPE, The refuge covers a transition zone, where the northernmost boreal forest gives way to Arctic tundra, lakes, wetlands, and meadows. Selawik's landscape is so diverse it even includes a set of rolling, vegetated sand dunes that were formed by the last glacial recession. These dunes are the remnant of a much larger system that once included the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes to the north. Most of this…, HISTORY, Northwest Alaska has played a key role in North American history as a travel route, a home for northern peoples, a trapping ground, and as a reindeer herding area. Historically, the Kobuk and Selawik Rivers served as important travel corridors from the coast to the more mountainous areas to the east. This is still true today, as locals access these lands via waterways by boat in the summer and by…, FACILITIES AND CAMPING, There are no roads, maintained trails, campgrounds, or visitor facilities in Selawik National Wildlife Refuge. The exception is the hot springs at the headwaters of the Selawik River, where there are two rustic public cabins and a bathhouse. The Upper Kobuk Elders’ Council and the City Council of Huslia hold a special use permit for these facilities, but the public is welcome to use the cabins if…, GETTING HERE, Selawik National Wildlife Refuge is not accessible by road. Most visitors access the refuge by chartered air service from Kotzebue . Daily flights are available from Anchorage to Kotzebue . In winter, visitors can access the refuge by dogsleds or snowmobiles. Explore more things to do in Kotzebue . For more information, visit the Selawik National Wildlife Refuge website .
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Experience the golden history this epic quest for fortune the 19th century., The glacially carved valleys, streams, and stunning views that make up Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park's physical landscape provide a compelling stage for its gold rush story. Commemorating the Gold Rush of 1897-98, this 13,191-acre park encompasses a six-block historical district in the town of Skagway , the nearby ghost town of Dyea, and the famous Chilkoot and White Pass Trails., THING TO DO, Today, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is a cruise ship favorite, making it the most popular park in Alaska with 850,000 visitors annually. The park offers a unique balance of history and outdoor adventure. The streets of Skagway are lined with dozens of historic stores, saloons, and public buildings, many of which have been restored by the National Park Service. Park Rangers lead…, White Pass & Yukon Railroad, , where visitors book passage for a spectacular tour into the mountains aboard the historic railway - one of the most popular activities in Skagway . In the neighboring ghost town of Dyea , visitors can learn how a town once the size of Skagway disappeared in the years following the gold rush. Today, the ghost town still serves as the starting point for hikes on the famous 33-mile Chilkoot…, HISTORY, The park commemorates the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897 – 1898. When gold was discovered in 1896 in Bonanza Creek, near Dawson City in the Yukon Territory, Skagway and Dyea became the starting places for more than 40,000 gold rush stampeders making their way to Canada’s Yukon goldfields by way of the Chilkoot Trail. The miners were required to have a year’s worth of supplies, causing them to make…, FACILITIES AND CAMPING, The National Park Service operates a 22-site campground in the Dyea area at the start of the Chilkoot Trail. The site is open for both tent and RV campers. Nine developed campgrounds are located along the Chilkoot Trail for backpackers. Campground-specific permits are required for backcountry campgrounds along the Chilkoot Trail., GETTING HERE, Skagway is 96 miles north of Juneau and reached by scheduled air service or the , Alaska Marine Highway System, ferries. Skagway can also be reached by road, via the South Klondike Highway. The town is 110 miles south of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, where bus service is also available. Explore more things to do in the Skagway area. For more information, visit the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park website .
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This 4,000-acre wildlife refuge provides protected habitat for land and marine life., Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge stretches nine miles along the shores of Gastineau Channel adjacent to downtown Juneau and the airport. The wetlands provide a vital feeding and resting area for both resident and migrating birds traveling to and from their Arctic breeding grounds., THINGS TO DO, The refuge offers year-round recreation. Popular activities include birding, photography, boating, hunting, sightseeing, and fishing for Coho salmon, sockeye salmon, cutthroat trout, and Dolly Varden. Several pull-offs on the north side of the Gastineau Channel and the south side on Douglas Island offer scenic viewpoints, interpretive signs, boat ramps, and beach access. Airport Dike Trail is a…, WILDLIFE, Seventeen freshwater streams flow into Mendenhall Wetlands, creating estuaries that are important habitat for over 140 species of resident and migratory birds, along with fish, mammals, and other marine life. The best time to view migratory birds is in the spring and fall, when waterfowl and shorebirds stop and feed in the wetlands on their way to and from their summer nesting grounds in the …, LANDSCAPE, The wetlands are made up of estuaries formed by seventeen streams that flow into Gastineau Channel. Freshwater from the streams mixes with the saltwater of the channel to form an important wetland habitat for resident and migrating birds, fish, mammals, and marine life., HISTORY, During the 1960s, local citizens observed accelerated environmental change in this important habitat that threatened native plants and wildlife. The construction of the Egan Expressway on the north side of Gastineau Channel in the early 1970s accelerated the need to preserve the area. In 1976, the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge was established., FACILITIES, The refuge's most popular area is a scenic turnout at Mile 6 of Egan Drive with a viewing platform and interpretive signs. Multiple refuge access points are located on the north and south sides of Gastineau Channel, including scenic pullouts and beach access. There is also a public boat launch on Cove Creek at Mile 9.5 of North Douglas Highway on Douglas Island., GETTING HERE, The Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge is located along the Gastineau Channel, situated between the city of Juneau and Douglas Island. The refuge is accessible from several access points along the northern side of Gastineau Channel and the southern side on Douglas Island. Explore more things to do in Juneau . For more information, visit the Mendenall Wetlands State Game Refuge website.
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With a surplus of year-round activities, adventurers of all skill levels delight in this state park close to Alaska’s state capital., Juneau 's only state park is Point Bridget State Park, a 2850-acre unit overlooking Berners Bay and Lynn Canal, 39 miles north of downtown., THINGS TO DO, The park is a popular destination for birding, beachcombing, wildlife viewing, boating, and hiking. Salmon fishing is excellent off the Berners Bay beaches and in Cowee Creek. The area features several miles of trails that showcase views of meadows, cliffs, and beaches, leading to three public use cabins . In the winter, the meadows and forest are popular for cross country skiing and…, WILDLIFE AND LANDSCAPE, Point Bridget is offers a scenic combination of meadows, rocky shoreline, cliffs, and streams. Wildlife is plentiful in the area. In the spring, black bears feed on sedges in the meadow, and in late July they feast on the salmon runs in Cowee Creek. Sea lions and harbor seals are frequently seen frolicking along the shore. From April through September, humpbacks feed in the area and it's not…, HISTORY, The park stands on land once occupied by the Auks, a group of Tlingit Alaska Natives, who built summer homes and harvested the area's natural resources. Point Bridget was named by Captain George Vancouver in 1794, presumably after his mother, Bridget Berners. Cowee Creek is named after the Auk Chief who guided Joe Juneau and Dick Harris to the gold in Silver Bow Basin in 1888, which led to the…, FACILITIES AND CAMPING, There is no campground at Point Bridget but there are three public use cabins located along the trail system. All are accessible on foot in the summer and on skis or snowshoes in the winter. Two of the cabins are along the beach and also accessible by kayak or canoe. Blue Mussel Cabin is the most popular due to its location along the ocean and opportunities to view marine wildlife., GETTING HERE, Point Bridget State Park is accessible by road from Juneau . The park is near the northern terminus of the Juneau road system, located at mile 39 of Glacier Highway. Explore more things to do in the Juneau area . For more information, visit the Point Bridget State Park website .
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This wildlife sanctuary near Juneau is renowned for exceptional brown bear viewing at Pack Creek., Flowing down from the high mountains on Admiralty Island's east side, Pack Creek spills into Seymour Canal at an area of extensive tidal flats 30 miles south of Juneau . Pack Creek's healthy salmon runs during the summer attract a large number of brown bears to the mouth of the creek, making the spot one of the best bear viewing areas in the Inside Passage ., THINGS TO DO, Brown bears are the main attraction to the Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area in Stan Price State Wildlife Sanctuary. Visitors can only access the sanctuary on a guided trip or by applying for a permit , available between June 1 and September 10. The sanctuary is located on Admiralty Island and is only accessible by chartered flight or boat from Juneau . Upon arrival, visitors receive an orientation…, WILDLIFE, In addition to brown bears, visitors might also spot Sitka black tailed deer that inhabit the old growth spruce and hemlock forests that surround Pack Creek. Other wildlife that may be spotted includes river otters, minks, martens, and harbor seals. Occasionally, orcas and humpback whales are spotted offshore. Admiralty Island also supports the highest concentration of nesting bald eagles in the…, HISTORY, Stan Price State Wildlife Sanctuary was named for an Alaskan woodsman who lived on a float house in the area for almost 40 years. The sanctuary includes an area that has been closed to hunting since the mid-1930s., FACILITIES AND CAMPING, There are no facilities or visitor services at Pack Creek or in the Stan Price State Wildlife Sanctuary. Camping is not allowed at Pack Creek, but a camping is allowed on nearby islands that are less than a mile away. Visitors who wish to camp must bring their own boats to travel back and forth between the islands and the bear viewing area., GETTING HERE, The Stan Prince State Wildlife Sanctuary and Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area are accessible only by boat or plane. Most visitors arrive as part of a one-day guided floatplane tour departing from Juneau . For more information, visit the Stan Price Wildlife Sanctuary and Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area websites.
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Get immersed in nature, art, and history through totems, skillfully carved by Tlingit and Haida artists of Alaska's Inside Passage ., Ten miles north of Ketchikan is Totem Bight State Historical Park, an 11-acre park that is packed with restored and re-carved totems as well as a colorful Clan House. Providing a stunning backdrop to the totems is park's lush rainforest setting and the rocky coastline along Tongass Narrows., THINGS TO DO, The Clan House is the central attraction at the park, offering an inside look at Alaska Native culture and history. The stunning structure, with its intricate carvings and vibrant artwork, is an example of living quarters that would have been shared by 30 to 50 family members of the same lineage, led by a house chief. Inside the house is one large room with a central fireplace surrounded by a…, LANDSCAPE AND WILDLIFE, Totem Bight State Historical Park is nestled in dense temperate rainforest. The vast majority of Alaska’s coastal temperate rainforests are old growth, consisting primarily of western hemlock, Sitka spruce, mountain hemlock, and Alaska yellow cedar. Mature coastal temperate rainforests are extraordinarily complex and stable habitats. Wildlife in the area includes brown bears, black bears, wolves…, HISTORY, When many of Alaska's indigenous peoples left villages to seek work in the early 1900s, the villages and totem poles they left behind were soon overgrown by forests and eroded by weather. In 1938, the U.S. Forest Service began a program designed to salvage these large cedar monuments by hiring skilled Tlingit and Haida carvers to restore or replicate them. The project grew into the construction…, FACILITIES AND CAMPING, There is no camping at Totem Bight State Historical Park. Visitor facilities include interpretive displays, a bookshop, and a viewing deck overlooking the Tongass Narrows., GETTING HERE, Totem Bight is ten miles northwest of Ketchikan along North Tongass Highway. The Blue Line city bus connects downtown Ketchikan to Totem Bight State Historical Park. Explore more things to do in Ketchikan . For more information, visit the Totem Bight State Historical Park website .
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Experience the history of Alaska's territorial days at the House of Wickersham in Juneau ., Explore the first large Victorian home built on Juneau’s “Chicken Ridge,” home to one of the most influential Alaskans of the early 1900s., THINGS TO DO, Chicken Ridge is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Juneau , perched on a hill overlooking downtown. Today, the Chicken Ridge Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to some of the oldest homes in Juneau, including the House of Wickersham. Visitors can step back in time as they tour the House of Wickersham, which displays historical photographs, Alaska relics…, Alaska Railroad, , the University of Alaska, and , Denali National Park and Preserve, ., HISTORY, With the gold discoveries of the Klondike and Nome , hordes of prospectors arrived, and corruption was rampant and claim jumping increased. By 1900, new criminal and civil codes, as well as the expansion of the U.S. District Court system brought the first law and order to the Interior. The 3rd Judicial Division, comprised of 300,000 square miles, was the responsibility of the new District Court…, Denali National Park and Preserve, . In 1903, District Court headquarters were moved to the new hub of Fairbanks and Wickersham moved with it. He rounded out his career as a delegate to Congress from 1909-1920 and from 1931-1933. Judge Wickersham finally settled in Juneau and purchased the Wickersham house in 1928. The house was built on the ridge overlooking downtown Juneau in 1898 and the judge lived in it with his wife…, GETTING HERE, House of Wickersham is located on 213 7th Street in downtown Juneau . For those walking from downtown, the house is accessible by a ten minute walk that includes walking up a moderate hill and ascending the Seward Street Stairs. Explore more things to do in Juneau . For more information, visit the Wickersham State Historic Site website .
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Only an hour’s drive north of Fairbanks , rafting and fishing adventures abound in the Chatanika State Recreation Areas., Winding through the historic mining country of the Fairbanks gold strikes and then crossing over Cleary Summit, the Steese Highway drops down to the Chatanika River valley. Lower Chatanika State Recreation Area consists of 570 acres along the Elliott Highway, and farther north on the Steese Highway is the 73-acre Upper Chatanika State Recreation Site., THINGS TO DO, Visitors to this area enjoy boating, camping, hiking, and picnicking. Fishing is also excellent in the summer. The grayling population is optimal all summer, and the river has a modest run of king, silver, and chum salmon in late July through October. For overnight stays, visitors can camp at campgrounds in both the Upper and Lower Recreation Areas. The Chatanika River is best suited to small…, WILDLIFE, The clearwater stream is rich with fish, such as grayling, lamprey, burbot, humpback whitefish, northern pike, and sheefish. The river also has a modest run of king, silver, and chum salmon in late July through October. Land animals in the area include black and brown bears, moose, wolves, river otters, and beavers., LANDSCAPE, With headwaters flowing from the rolling hills north of Fairbanks , the Chatanika River weaves through 128 miles of spruce and birch forest to its convergence with the Tolovana River. The lower river traverses Minto Flats, an area of mostly open wetlands renowned for its waterfowl nesting and staging habitats, drawing in protected species of ducks, geese, and swans., HISTORY, During the Fairbanks gold rush in the early 20th century, the Chatanika River was used to support the area’s booming gold mining industry, where its flow was used to operate gold dredges. In an effort to divert water to mining operations, dams were also built on the river to support the nearby mining operations. In 2002, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game removed several of these structures…, FACILITIES AND CAMPING, Lower Chatanika State Recreation Area features two campgrounds. Whitefish Campground , on the north side of the Chatanika River Bridge, has 25 campsites, a picnic shelter, outhouses, drinking water, and fishing access. There is also a boat ramp for people floating the Chatanika River. The Olnes Pond Campground has 15 campsites, a picnic area, drinking water, outhouses, and a public use cabin…, GETTING HERE, Lower Chatanika State Recreation Area is reached at Mile 11 of the Elliott Highway, 20 miles north of Fairbanks . Upper Chatanika State Recreation Site is located at Mile 39 of the Steese Highway. For more information, visit the Lower Chanatika State Recreation Area website and the Upper Chanatika State Recreation Area website .
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This recreation area offers year-round outdoor adventures only 30 minutes from Fairbanks ., A mere half-hour drive from Fairbanks , Chena River State Recreation Area is a popular destination for those seeking adventure within a short distance of Alaska's second largest city. From Mile 26 to Mile 51, the paved Chena Hot Springs Road winds through the middle of Chena River State Recreation Area, allowing locals and visitors alike easy access to the 254,080-acre preserve., THINGS TO DO, Summertime in the Chena River State Recreation Area provides ample outdoor adventures, including hiking, fishing, backpacking, canoeing, hunting, rock climbing, and wildlife viewing. In the winter, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling , northern lights viewing , and dog mushing are popular activities. The clear-running Chena River is popular with paddlers to float in canoes, kayaks,…, WILDLIFE, The recreation area is home to a variety of wildlife, from small animals like squirrel, willow grouse, and beaver, to large animals like bear and moose. Eagles can be sighted soaring overhead. Moose are frequently spotted near beaver ponds and sloughs where they feed on shrubs and aquatic plants. Black and brown bears also inhabit the area – backpackers occasionally encounter grizzlies feeding on…, LANDSCAPE, The Chena River is a clear flowing, class I-II river ideal for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing for abundant arctic grayling. Its valley is populated with spruce and birch forest and dotted with wetlands and marshes. The backdrop of rolling hills and tundra uplands provide rich habitat for resident wildlife. The recreation area is accessed by Chena Hot Springs Road, which parallels the river,…, FACILITIES AND CAMPING, Chena River State Recreation Area has three campgrounds that accommodate both tent campers and RVs. Rosehip Campground with 37 campsites is located at Milepost 27, Granite Tors Trail Campground with 24 campsites at Milepost 39, and Red Squirrel Campground with and Picnic Area with 5 campsites at Milepost 43. There are also eight public use cabins located throughout the park that are…, GETTING HERE, Chena River State Recreation Area is 26 miles east of Fairbanks , between Mile 26 and Mile 51 of the Chena Hot Springs Road. Learn more about the Chena Hot Springs area . For more information, visit the Chena River State Recreation Area website .
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