Togiak National Wildlife Refuge

Togiak National Wildlife Refuge is a vast protected area in southwestern Alaska encompassing tundra, rivers, lakes, and extensive coastline. The terrain stretches from Bristol Bay to the Ahklun Mountains and provides diverse habitats for wildlife.

The refuge was established in 1968 and expanded significantly through the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act in 1980. This expansion transformed it into one of the nation's largest wilderness areas.

Indigenous peoples have lived in this region for millennia, maintaining traditional practices and a deep bond with the land that shapes the area even today. Their presence and way of life remain interwoven with the refuge.

Access is primarily by aircraft since no roads reach the region. Visitors should be prepared for unpredictable weather and limited facilities, and hiring local guides helps ensure safe navigation.

The refuge hosts an extraordinary diversity of wildlife with dozens of mammal species and hundreds of bird species. It also serves as a critical migration corridor for massive traveling herds that pass through seasonally.

Location: Alaska

Inception: December 2, 1980

Website: https://fws.gov/refuge/togiak

GPS coordinates: 59.33330,-160.25100

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:07