Unalakleet River

The Unalakleet River flows southwest 90 miles from the Kaltag Mountains through the rolling Nulato Hills to Norton Sound of the Bering Sea.

During the 1830s, the Russian-American Company established trading posts at St. Michael and Unalakleet, leading to Lieutenant Lavrenty Zagoskin's first non-native documentation of the region.

The river's name originates from the Inupiat language, meaning 'place where the east wind blows', reflecting the long-standing presence of native communities in the area.

The river supports extensive fishing opportunities, with seasonal runs of Chinook, coho, pink, and chum salmon, alongside Arctic grayling, Arctic char, and whitefish populations.

The upper 80 miles received designation as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 1980, preserving its natural characteristics for future generations.

GPS coordinates: 63.98938,-159.93799

Latest update: October 29, 2025 18:35