Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a large federal protected area in northeastern Alaska that preserves extensive Arctic coastal plain, tundra and mountain ecosystems. The refuge covers on the order of 19 million acres and is one of the largest conservation areas in the United States.

The refuge contains vast tundra plains, braided rivers and rugged mountains that support polar bears, caribou, muskoxen, wolves and millions of migratory birds. Visitors come for backcountry wildlife viewing, remote river trips and guided polar-bear or caribou-watching excursions in summer and for near-pristine Arctic landscapes.

The area was first set aside as the Arctic National Wildlife Range in 1960 and was redesignated and expanded under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) in 1980. Since then it has been at the center of ongoing policy debates over resource development versus conservation, particularly concerning the coastal plain.

The refuge lies along Alaska’s northeastern coast on the Beaufort Sea and extends south into the foothills and mountains of the Brooks Range. Nearest regional population centers include communities in northern Alaska and Fairbanks to the south; much of the refuge is accessible only by small aircraft or long overland travel.

• Size: covers roughly 19 million acres, making it one of the largest protected areas in the United States
• 1002 coastal plain: contains a highly debated coastal plain often referred to as the 1002 area because of its designation in federal law and its importance as caribou calving habitat

What to See#

• Coastal Plain (1002 area): the Coastal Plain is the low-lying eastern portion of the refuge and includes the so-called 1002 area that serves as a critical spring and summer calving ground for the Porcupine caribou herd
• Brooks Range and interior tundra: the Brooks Range section contains mountains, river valleys and tundra that provide habitat for muskoxen, Dall sheep and migratory birds and forms the southern backbone of the refuge

• Plan travel for the brief Arctic summer (roughly June-August) when tundra access, wildlife viewing and daylight are best and transport options (bush planes, boat charters) are most available.
• Most public access to remote parts of the refuge requires a chartered flight or boat; arrange transport and any guided services well in advance and confirm current refuge regulations on the official ANWR website before you go.
• If you intend to visit the coastal plain or areas near communities such as Kaktovik, coordinate logistics with local outfitters and be prepared for primitive conditions-there are no road links that provide routine drop-off service into the refuge.