Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife refuge in interior Alaska, United States.

Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area in interior Alaska that encompasses wetlands, boreal forests, and river valleys across an expansive tract of land. The refuge contains diverse habitats and wildlife populations within this remote northern ecosystem.

The federal government established this refuge in 1980 under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to protect critical wildlife habitats in this region. That action was part of a major conservation effort that safeguarded millions of acres across Alaska.

The Koyukon Athabascans have used these lands for generations, continuing hunting, fishing, and gathering practices that remain central to their way of life. Visitors can observe how these traditions shape the relationship between people and the land.

The refuge is accessible only by airplane or river boat, as no road connection exists to this remote location. Plan your visit carefully since services and accommodations are limited in this part of Alaska.

Within the Koyukuk Wilderness, the Nogahabara Sand Dunes cover about 65 km², part of a largely inactive Pleistocene dune field. Individual dunes rise to 200 m and run up to 300 m long, built from glacial sediment carried from the northwest and gathered in the periglacial Koyukuk basin.