Popular with locals, this spot offers excellent fishing for Alaska salmon and Arctic grayling., Approximately 44 miles southeast of Fairbanks along the Richardson Highway is the Salcha River State Recreation Site, a popular weekend getaway for residents of Fairbanks and Delta Junction ., THINGS TO DO, In the summer, the 61-acre recreation site provides anglers access to the Salcha River, which is fished for king, chum, and coho salmon as well as Arctic grayling, sheefish, and northern pike. Other popular activities include camping, boating, and picnicking. Snowmobiling and cross-country skiing on the frozen river are popular activities in the winter. Limited camping is available at the small…, WILDLIFE AND LANDSCAPE, The Salcha River is a fast and clear 125-mile tributary of the Tanana River. Accessible by boat or on foot from the road, the river is a popular sportfishing destination due to its rich runs of salmon, northern pike, and Arctic grayling. The river’s surroundings are fairly dense forest, home to moose and caribou., HISTORY, With the onset of the Fairbank’s gold rush of the late 1800s, prospectors utilized the Salcha River in the summer months. A roadhouse, store, and military telegraph office were established at the mouth of the river., FACILITIES AND CAMPING, Salcha River State Recreation Site has a campground with six campsites, a picnic area, and a boat launch. The boat launch is popular and well used throughout the summer. The recreation site also has a public use cabin that is furnished with a wood stove, table, and bunks. The cabin is located near the boat launch and is available to rent year-round., GETTING HERE, Salcha River State Recreation Site is accessible by road at Mile 323.3 of the Richardson Highway, 44 miles southeast of Fairbanks . Explore more things to do in the community of Salcha . For more information, visit the Salcha River State Recreation Site website .
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This dynamic refuge stretches along the “Tetlin Passage,” an important bird migration corridor., Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge is part of the world’s largest contiguous conservation unit, sharing a border with , Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, and Kluane National Park in Canada. The Alaska Highway borders the refuge, providing unique opportunities to access the area. The park is located southeast of the community of Tok ., THINGS TO DO, Thanks to its proximity to the Alaska Highway - the refuge boundary is adjacent to the south side of the highway for almost 65 miles - Tetlin offers a wide range of activities and facilities, including hiking, birding, camping, fishing, and hunting. Birding is best in spring and fall and easily done from pullouts along the Alaska Highway that overlook wetlands, ponds, and lakes. Located along the…, WILDLIFE, The refuge is situated inside the 'Tetlin Passage,' a major migratory route for birds traveling to and from Canada, the Lower 48, and both Central and South America. While many of the birds move on to other breeding grounds, about 117 species remain in Tetlin to nest. Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge also supports a variety of large mammals. Dall sheep dot the higher slopes while moose feed on the…, LANDSCAPE, Located in the upper Tanana River valley, the refuge consists of diverse landscapes including forests, wetlands, tundra, lakes, glacial rivers, and foothills that rise to the snowy peaks of the Alaska Range. Like the rest of Interior Alaska’s boreal forest, the refuge's black spruce forest is an evolving masterpiece, reshaped each year by woodland fires. Plants and animals here have adapted to…, FACILITIES AND CAMPING, The Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is located 8 miles from the Canada border at Mile 1229 of the Alaska Highway. The refuge also has two campgrounds along the Alaska Highway. At Mile 1249.3 is Deadman Lake Campground with 15 campsites in the spruce forest along with fire rings, picnic tables, and a boat ramp. Also at the campground is Taiga Trail, a quarter-mile interpretive…, GETTING HERE, The northern boundary of Tetlin Refuge extends 65 miles along the Alaska Highway, providing foot access from the Canada border at Mile 1221.5 to Mile 1242. The Tetlin Refuge headquarters is located in Tok while the refuge's Visitor Center is located at Mile 1229 on the Alaska Highway, just east of the Canada border. Small boat and canoe access is available at Desper Creek at Mile 1225.4, the…
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When crossing over the U.S.-Canadian border on the Alaska Highway, these state recreation sites offer welcome respite from the road., Located only 92 miles west of the Canada border, Tok serves as the gateway to Alaska for travelers driving the Alaska Highway. The community is often the first Alaska town travelers stop at after that lengthy drive along the Alaska Highway and gives them their first opportunity to explore the Alaska Range. Tok is a 3.5 hour drive from Fairbanks and 6 hour drive from Anchorage . Surrounding…, EAGLE TRAIL STATE RECREATION SITE, Eagle Trail State Recreation Site is the largest site at 280 acres. Located 16 miles south of Tok on the Tok Cut-Off Highway, the park includes portions of the Old Slana Highway, the Washington-Alaska Military Cable and Telephone System, and the Valdez-Eagle Trail. The campground has 35 campsites and is popular with visitors traveling between Tok and Glennallen on the Richardson Highway.…, MOON LAKE STATE RECREATION SITE, Moon Lake State Recreation Site is 15 miles northwest of Tok along the Alaska Highway. The 22-acre park is a popular destination for boating and swimming. Facilities at Moon Lake State Recreation Site include a 15-site campground, picnic areas, and a boat launch., TOK RIVER STATE RECREATION SITE, Tok River State Recreation Site is 4.5 miles east of Tok along the Alaska Highway. Located along the banks of the Tok River, the 38-acre park provides camping, hiking, and access to float trip opportunities. Tok River State Recreation Site features 27 campsites, picnic shelters, a walking trial, and access to Tok River., GETTING HERE, All three recreation sites are accessible by road. Eagle Trail State Recreation Site is at Mile 109.5 of the Tok Cut-Off Highway. Moon Lake State Recreation Site is near Mile 1332 of the Alaska Highway. Tok River State Recreation Site is at Mile 1309 of the Alaska Highway.
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Float the mighty Yukon River or paddle the Charley River in this remote preserve., Straddling the Yukon River in Interior Alaska, Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve includes more than 2.5 million acres along the Canadian border., THINGS TO DO, Floating the Yukon or Charley rivers is one of the most popular activities in the preserve. Camping, hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and exploring historic sites are also popular options. The preserve is a prime breeding ground of the endangered peregrine falcon and calving ground of the Forty-mile caribou herd. The Charley River is a designated National Wild and Scenic River and has been…, WILDLIFE, The Yukon-Charley Rivers are home to the largest nesting habitat of American peregrine falcons in North America. The falcons nest on the bluffs above the rivers, and are evidence of the species’ rebound from the effects of DDT, which was outlawed 1972. In August 1999, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the American peregrine falcon from the list of endangered and threatened species due to…, HISTORY, The national preserve extends between the gold-rush communities of Eagle and Circle , protecting 128 miles of the 1,979-mile Yukon River and the entire length of the 108-mile Charley River. Best known for its rich gold rush history when thousands of hopeful miners floated the Yukon, staked their claims, and searched for gold, the preserve is still home to old mining cabins, roadhouses, and…, FACILITIES AND CAMPING, There are no roads, designated campgrounds, hiking trails, or visitor services in the preserve. Backcountry camping is permitted. Visitors who float the Yukon and Charley Rivers typically camp on gravel/sand bars along the river. The preserve has seven public use cabins that are available on a first come, first served basis. The Nation Bluff, Glenn Creek, Kandik River, Slaven's Roadhouse,…, GETTING HERE, The preserve can be reached from Eagle or Circle , both of which are accessible by road and by air taxi from Fairbanks . Eagle is 170 miles north of Tok on the Taylor Highway near the Canadian border and is accessible by road during the summer. Circle is accessible by road year-round and is located at the end of the Steese Highway, 160 miles north of Fairbanks . Floating the river is…
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This refuge is the third largest conservation area in the National Wildlife Refuge System., Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge is an 11.1 million acre preserve straddling the Arctic Circle in eastern Interior Alaska. This is the land of the midnight sun, with 24 hours of daylight in summer and none in winter, resulting in great seasonal extremes in temperature., THINGS TO DO, The refuge is open to a variety of activities including boating, camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, gold panning, wildlife viewing, and photography. Float trips are one of the most popular ways to explore Yukon Flats. Canoers, kayakers, and rafters can access the refuge via the Yukon River, Porcupine River, Sheenjek River, and Beaver Creek. One of the most common routes is to put in at Upper…, WILDLIFE, The refuge is home to 147 species of migratory and resident birds. Over one million ducks arrive annually from all over the world. There are 13 resident bird species in the refuge, including chickadees, great gray owls, spruce grouse, and three-toed woodpeckers. The refuge’s rivers and lakes are home to 18 species of fish. Chinook, chum, and coho salmon travel 2,000 miles from the sea to their…, LANDSCAPE, About half of the refuge - 6.5 million acres - consists of the Yukon Flats, a vast floodplain bisected by 300 miles of the Yukon River. The basin is made up of tens of thousands of lakes and ponds, sloughs, and meandering streams. The area is characterized by mixed forests dominated by spruce, birch, and aspen. The Yukon Flats has a continental subarctic climate, with great seasonal extremes in…, HISTORY, The area has been home to Alaska Native people for thousands of years. In 1847, the Hudson’s Bay Company established Fort Yukon as a fur trading post to export furs from the area. By the 1920s the outpost had become the most important fur exporter in Alaska. The Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1980 by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to preserve fish…, FACILITIES AND CAMPING, Yukon Flats has no visitor facilities or public use cabins. Backcountry camping is permitted. The Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center in Fairbanks and the Arctic Interagency Visitor Center in Coldfoot provide information on Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge., GETTING HERE, The refuge is located about 100 miles north of Fairbanks but is not accessible by road. Most visitors take commercial flights to one of six villages within the refuge, with Fort Yukon being the largest by far and most centrally located. Charter air services to remote areas of the refuge are available from Fairbanks and Fort Yukon . Boaters can also access the refuge by water via the Yukon…
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Adventurers can kayak or cruise through glacial waters and see marine life in these protected state waters., Enclosed by mountains and glaciers and protected from the high seas by barrier islands, Prince William Sound and Resurrection Bay in Southcentral Alaska are two of Alaska's premier recreation areas for water-based activities. Fjords, bays, coves, lakes, glaciers, mountains, and hundreds of islands provide scenic settings for visitors that arrive on kayaks, small and large cruise ships, and…, ACTIVITIES, The Prince William Sound and Resurrection Bay areas are home to 20 state parks, and the recreational opportunities are vast. Activities in the parks include sports fishing, clamming, island camping, wildlife viewing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Tour operators are easy to find in Whittier , Valdez , Cordova , and Seward for day cruises and kayaking trips to see calving glaciers, rugged…, HISTORY, In 1983, the first marine park opened near Juneau as part of an international system extending from Washington through British Columbia to Alaska. This system provides boat owners and water enthusiasts access to coastal environments with protected anchorages. The marine park system expanded in 1990 to include seven parks in the Prince William Sound and Resurrection Bay areas., FACILITIES AND CAMPING, Alaska state marine parks range in size from 360-acre Entry Cove near Whittier to the 4,560-acre Shoup Bay near Valdez . Most of the parks offer boaters and kayakers protected anchorages and shorelines for safe landing. WHITTIER AREA There are campsites at Ziegler Cove, Surprise Cove , and South Esther Island , and camping and a public use cabin at Decision Point . Ziegler Cove, and Surprise…, GETTING HERE, Access to all of the parks in the state marine park system is by floatplane or boat from Whittier , Seward , Valdez , or Cordova , with the exception of Shoup Bay, which can be reached on foot from Valdez. All four communities offer water taxi service that can provide drop-offs to the state marine parts for camping, public use cabins, and hiking. Learn more about kayaking and day cruises in…
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This jewel in the Kenai Peninsula offers rich sportfishing for anglers all summer long., Anchor River State Recreation Area is one of Alaska's premier fishing destinations on the Kenai Peninsula in Southcentral Alaska. The 213-acre recreation area can be reached from the Sterling Highway, 16 miles north of Homer and 200 miles south of Anchorage . The small town of Anchor Point , where Anchor River State Recreation Area is located, is the most westerly point on the U.S. Highway System., THINGS TO DO, Fishing is the main attraction at this recreational area. Anchor River is Alaska's only major steelhead stream accessible by road, with steelhead runs occurring from late August to November. King salmon are the most popular target on the river, with the run beginning in late May and peaking in the second week in June. Other species include silver salmon that move into the river from the end of…, WILDLIFE, Wildlife abounds around the Anchor River and the shoreline of Cook Inlet. Keep an eye out for moose, beaver, mink, bald eagles, ducks, harbor seals, sea otters, and beluga whales., LANDSCAPE, The Anchor River passes through a mixed spruce-cottonwood forest with a lush riparian zone, then emerges into a broad estuary and marsh filled with salt-tolerant sedges and grasses, offering ideal habitat for the diverse species residing and migrating through the area., FACILITIES AND CAMPING, Overlooking the river are Silver King Campground with 46 campsites, Coho with 36 campsites, Steelhead with 44 campsites, and Slidehole with 30 campsites. Halibut Campground’s 30 sites overlook Cook Inlet Beach, providing campers with a scenic view of Mount Redoubt and Mount Iliamna across the inlet. All campgrounds have picnic areas, drinking water, and day-use parking areas., GETTING HERE, The recreation area is located on the road system on the Kenai Peninsula . At Mile 156.9 of the Sterling Highway, turn onto Old Sterling Highway and continuing over the Anchor River Bridge. Take the first right onto Anchor River Road. Explore more to do on the Kenai Peninsula . For more information, visit the Anchor River State Recreation Area website .
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This scenic wildlife viewing area is a premier birding destination near Anchorage from May through September., The Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge stretches 16 miles between Point Woronzof and Potter Creek. Its extensive tidal flats, marsh, and alder-bog forest are home to more than 130 species of resident and migratory birds. With its raised boardwalk at Potter Marsh and panoramic views of the Turnagain Arm, Chugach Mountains, and surrounding spruce, cottonwoods, and alders, this refuge is one of the…, THINGS TO DO, The most popular area of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge is the Potter Marsh boardwalk, a ½ mile-long elevated boardwalk trail over the marsh with interpretive signs, telescopes, and excellent vantage points for wildlife viewing and photography. In addition to birding, the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge is a great spot to view fish and wildlife including salmon, moose, muskrats, and…, WILDLIFE, Potter Marsh is the premier destination for birders in Anchorage . Large concentrations of birds can be seen during the spring migration from late April through mid-May when waterfowl stop on their way to breeding grounds farther north, and again in late July and August when shorebirds begin to flock up in preparation for their migration to southern wintering grounds. A diversity of birds also…, LANDSCAPE, The majority of the refuge is intertidal floodplains of glacial silt, making it largely inaccessible to the public. The remaining areas consist of coastal wetlands, bogs, and wooded areas., HISTORY, Potter Marsh was created in 1917 during the construction of the , Alaska Railroad, when work crews dammed several streams., FACILITIES, Facilities include parking areas along the Seward Highway and an elevated, 1,500-foot-long boardwalk trail with interpretive signs and telescopes., GETTING HERE, Potter Marsh is reached at Mile 117 of the Seward Highway just south of Anchorage . From the Potter Marsh parking lot, visitors are treated to a stunning view of Turnagain Arm and access to the raised boardwalk. Additional parking areas along the marsh are available just south of the Potter Marsh parking area on the Seward Highway. Explore more things to do in Anchorage . For more information,…
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This majestic park combines history and nature with sweeping backdrops on Resurrection Bay., Caines Head State Recreation Area is a 5,961-acre park located on Caines Head, a headland that juts into the west side of Resurrection Bay, 5.5 miles south of Seward on the Kenai Peninsula . Caines Head is the scenic site of an abandoned World War II fort and includes military ruins and 650-foot headlands that rise above the water for sweeping views of the bay and the surrounding mountains., THINGS TO DO, Caines Head features almost 14 miles of trails, old military roads, and beach and alpine routes that attract both hikers and backpackers. The park is also a favorite with local boaters and kayakers who venture out to spend a day exploring the beaches, trails, and army artifacts. There are three public use cabins and three beach camping areas along the trail system. Spanning from Lowell Point to…, WILDLIFE, Porcupines, brown and black bears, mountain goats, and marmots are just some of the wildlife that inhabits this alpine region. Offshore it is possible to see puffins, sea otters, and seals., LANDSCAPE, The park is a maritime rainforest featuring spruce and fir trees as high as 100 feet tall. In some areas, the forests frame views of cliffs and headlands rising straight up from shale-covered beaches, all with the stunning backdrop of Resurrection Bay and the surrounding mountains., HISTORY, Before the U.S. Army completed the tunnel to Whittier and the Alaska Highway, Seward was the southern terminus of the Alaska Railroad and the only transportation center available during the war. Even before Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, the military was busy building a defense system at Caines Head to protect Seward. At the top of the park’s bluff, the government-built Fort McGilvray was an $8…, FACILITIES AND CAMPING, Campsites, fire pits, outhouses, and picnic shelters are located at North Beach and Tonsina Point. Additional campsites are found at South Beach. There are three public-use cabins at Caines Head that can be reserved in advance: Callisto Canyon Cabin , Derby Cove Cabin , and Tonsina Cabin , which can be reached on foot from the Coastal Trail or by water. A public mooring buoy is available…, GETTING HERE, Access is primarily by boat or foot from Seward . Charter boats in Seward provide shuttle services to and from the park and cabins. The park is also a popular destination for kayakers, and rentals are available in Seward. Hikers and backpackers can reach the park on foot along the Coastal Trail, which begins at Lowell Point. For more information, visit the Caines Head State Recreation Area…
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Discover this lesser-known jewel for outdoor adventures on the Kenai Peninsula ., Just north of the towns of Kenai and Nikiski , Captain Cook State Recreation Area offers a peaceful setting for camping, fishing, and beachcombing., THINGS TO DO, Stormy Lake is popular for boaters and kayakers, and anglers fish for rainbow trout, silver salmon, and arctic char in the lake and river. Other popular activities include beachcombing and agate hunting, birding and wildlife viewing, berry picking, riding ATVs (in designated areas only), hiking, and swimming. In winter, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing are popular activities.…, WILDLIFE, Visitors can see wandering moose or bears, coyotes, beavers, and muskrats. Beluga whales and harbor seals can be seen in the waters of the inlet. Bird species include sandhill cranes, bald eagles, trumpeter swans, golden-eye ducks, thrushes, Pacific and common loons, warblers, and mergansers., HISTORY, The recreation area is named for Captain James Cook, who explored the area in 1778. The Dena’ina Athabascan people were the original inhabitants of the region, harvesting the area’s rich salmon runs and game., FACILITIES AND CAMPING, The Discovery Campground has 53 RV-friendly campsites, restrooms, two picnic shelters, and a boat launch. There are additional tent camping areas accessible by walking or boating., GETTING HERE, Captain Cook State Recreation Area is located 180 miles from Anchorage on the Kenai Peninsula in Southcentral Alaska. From the town of Kenai , drive north 25 miles on the Kenai Spur Highway to Milepost 36. Learn more about things to do in the Kenai Peninsula . For more information, visit the Captain Cook State Recreation Area website .
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