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Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge is, at 1.6 million acres, about the size of Delaware. One-third of the refuge sits atop the Arctic Circle, with two-thirds below. The refuge is a prime example of Alaska's boreal ecosystem, dominated by black and white spruce with some white birch and poplars.
The refuge protects the Kanuti Flats, an interior basin formed by the rolling plains of the Kanuti and Koyukuk rivers. The basin is interspersed with boreal forest, lakes, ponds and marshes.
The refuge was created to preserve and protect this rich waterfowl breeding area. Waterfowl from all the major North American flyways come to breed at the refuge. Waterfowl banded in the Alaska interior have been recovered in 45 of 50 states in the United States, seven Canadian provinces and 17 other countries.
The refuge supports 16 species of fish including whitefish, northern pike, grayling and salmon. King, silver and chum salmon swim hundreds of miles to spawn in the refuge. Fishing for northern pike and grayling is good.
Other wildlife includes moose, black and grizzly bears, wolves and wolverines.
Most refuge visitors are Koyukon Athabaskan Indians who rely on the area for harvests of plants and animals, as they have for generations.
Because of its remote location, the Kanuti refuge offers a true wilderness experience. Most visitors travel through the community of Bettles, which is 150 air miles northwest of Fairbanks. From Bettles, air charters are available for drop-offs at lakes, rivers and gravel bars. Visitors can then access the refuge on foot or by boat.
This is a very wet area with no developed foot trails, many of the refuge's upland areas are not ideal for hiking.
In winter, the refuge can be reached from the Dalton Highway using non-motorized transportation, such as skis or dog teams. Snow machine access is also authorized for some activities. Contact the refuge office for more information.
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