NOWITNA NWR
Expect to hear only the cackling of geese and other waterfowl at Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge. This remote roadless refuge some 150 miles west of Fairbanks is one of the least visited reserves in the national wildlife refuge system. But its two million acres of river lowlands, marshes, lakes and streams provide important nesting habitat for waterfowl, including the threatened trumpeter swan.
Ducks nesting on the refuge include mallards, pintails, green-winged teal, northern shovelers, American wigeons and greater and lesser scaup. But the refuge isn't only for the birds. With luck, you may also see black and grizzly bears, moose, red fox, beaver and wolves. More secretive lynx are also present, as are wolverines.
WHAT TO SEE:
Seven miles of hundred foot bluffs known as "The Boneyards." Here you may see fossils of Pleistocene mammals, including the giant mammoth.
WHAT TO DO:
Kayak, canoe or float the Nowitna and Yukon Rivers. Fish fornorthern pike, Arctic grayling, burbot, sheefish and several species of whitefish.
WHERE TO STAY:
Camping is allowed at the refuge but don't expect designated campsites or facilities. There is a public campground in the village of Ruby, and the town of Galena, some 55 miles downriver, offers travelers the option of bed and breakfasts.
DIRECTIONS:
You can fly from Fairbanks or Anchorage to Galena and charter a small plane to the refuge from there. It's also possible to reach the refuge by boating down the Yukon River from the Dalton Bridge Highway or the Tanumu River bridge at Nenana.
BEST TIMES TO VISIT:
Late May to early June.
August and September.
Ducks nesting on the refuge include mallards, pintails, green-winged teal, northern shovelers, American wigeons and greater and lesser scaup. But the refuge isn't only for the birds. With luck, you may also see black and grizzly bears, moose, red fox, beaver and wolves. More secretive lynx are also present, as are wolverines.
WHAT TO SEE:
Seven miles of hundred foot bluffs known as "The Boneyards." Here you may see fossils of Pleistocene mammals, including the giant mammoth.
WHAT TO DO:
Kayak, canoe or float the Nowitna and Yukon Rivers. Fish fornorthern pike, Arctic grayling, burbot, sheefish and several species of whitefish.
WHERE TO STAY:
Camping is allowed at the refuge but don't expect designated campsites or facilities. There is a public campground in the village of Ruby, and the town of Galena, some 55 miles downriver, offers travelers the option of bed and breakfasts.
DIRECTIONS:
You can fly from Fairbanks or Anchorage to Galena and charter a small plane to the refuge from there. It's also possible to reach the refuge by boating down the Yukon River from the Dalton Bridge Highway or the Tanumu River bridge at Nenana.
BEST TIMES TO VISIT:
Late May to early June.
August and September.
