Becharof National Wildlife Refuge
Park Vast coastal refuge protecting wetlands and brown bears
Becharof National Wildlife Refuge on the Alaska Peninsula protects wetlands, rivers and coastline that support brown bears, salmon runs and migratory birds; visitors join guided bear-viewing, sportfishing trips and remote wildlife photography outings.
Becharof National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area on the Alaska Peninsula established to conserve coastal, lake and riverine habitats and the fish and wildlife populations they support.
The refuge was created as part of broader conservation measures for Alaska to protect important fish and wildlife habitat on the peninsula and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Located on the Alaska Peninsula, the refuge encompasses coastal lowlands, lakes and river systems and lies west of the Alaska mainland across the peninsula’s interior.
- Key habitats: The refuge includes extensive coastal lagoons, tundra and the large freshwater body **Becharof Lake**, providing critical habitat for migratory birds, salmon and brown bears.
How to Get to Becharof National Wildlife Refuge #
Most access to the refuge is by air (floatplane) from King Salmon or communities on the Alaska Peninsula; some coastal areas are reachable by boat. There is no single public visitor center on-site; consult the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Becharof NWR web page for contact and current access advisories.
Tips for Visiting Becharof National Wildlife Refuge #
- Check the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Becharof Refuge web page before travel for alerts and seasonal access notes.
- If camping or boating, prepare for remote conditions: plan fuel, food caches, and bear-aware campsites.
- Use a tide/shoreline chart if traveling the coastal reaches; weather can change quickly and remoteness magnifies small mistakes.
Best Time to Visit Becharof National Wildlife Refuge #
Best visited in summer for access and wildlife viewing; shoulder seasons offer solitude but more challenging weather.
Weather & Climate near Becharof National Wildlife Refuge #
Becharof National Wildlife Refuge's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -10°C to 16°C. Moderate rainfall (659 mm/year).
January
January is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -9°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm).
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February
February is the coldest month with highs of -2°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm).
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March
March is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm).
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May
May is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm).
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June
June is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm).
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July
July is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm).
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September
September is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with 90 mm of rain.
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October
October is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm).
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November
November is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm).
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December
December is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm).
