Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area

The Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area is a vast administrative region in Alaska encompassing diverse landscapes, river systems, and communities scattered across the terrain. The territory's character is defined by its waterways, which serve as the main routes connecting the scattered settlements.

Native peoples, particularly Athabaskan groups, were the first to settle along the river valleys of the region. European traders and explorers later arrived, which transformed how the territory developed and was used.

The region's communities rely on hunting, fishing, and gathering as ways of life that shape daily routines and connect people to the land. These practices remain central to how residents understand their place in this vast territory.

Getting around this vast territory depends mainly on rivers and limited roads, with seasons changing what is passable. Planning a visit requires flexibility and realistic expectations about travel conditions.

Large portions of two national parks and a major wildlife refuge sit within this census area, providing habitat for wild animals with few settlements. These protected lands define much of the territory's character and draw visitors interested in remote wilderness.

Location: Unorganized Borough

Inception: 1980

Shares border with: North Slope Borough, Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Denali Borough, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Bethel Census Area, Kusilvak Census Area, Nome Census Area, Northwest Arctic Borough, Yukon

GPS coordinates: 65.29000,-151.65000

Latest update: December 13, 2025 19:50