Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge

The Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge is a vast protected area of wetlands and tundra spreading across a broad landscape between two major rivers down to the Bering Sea shore. The terrain consists of open, flat expanses dotted with lakes, lagoons, and river channels.

Protection of these lands began in the early 1900s, though the refuge was formally expanded and reshaped during the 1980s into its current form. This expansion represented a major commitment to safeguarding this fragile ecosystem.

Yup'ik communities throughout the region have sustained their way of life for generations by hunting and fishing in these waters and lands. These practices remain central to daily life in the villages scattered across the delta today.

This remote refuge requires travel by small plane or boat from Bethel, the main gateway community. Summer months offer the most stable weather and highest wildlife activity for visitors.

Millions of waterfowl converge on this landscape during breeding season each year, creating one of the largest bird gatherings on the continent. Few people realize how critical these waters and wetlands are to bird populations across a vast region.

Location: Alaska

Inception: December 2, 1980

Operator: United States Fish and Wildlife Service

Website: http://yukondelta.fws.gov

GPS coordinates: 61.00060,-163.00100

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:44