Steese National Conservation Area, National Conservation Area in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska.

The Steese National Conservation Area is a protected region northeast of Fairbanks that features mountain ranges, flowing rivers, and dense forests across its expanses. The territory is divided into two distinct units, each offering different terrain and ecosystems to explore.

The area was designated as protected land in 1980 through federal legislation aimed at preserving Alaska's natural spaces. This designation came to safeguard the wilderness and its wildlife for future generations.

The name Steese comes from the Steese Highway, the road that divides the area into North and South Units. Birch Creek National Wild River, within the conservation area, is one of its special values. The land is managed so that scenic, scientific and cultural resources are protected alongside uses such as hunting and mining.

The Steese Highway provides the main entry route with several starting points for hiking and camping in the region. Visitors should prepare for seasonal conditions and travel with proper gear and adequate supplies.

The Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail runs along the edge of the North Unit, one of the two units separated by the Steese Highway. The trail crosses open tundra ridges where Dall sheep live on the slopes and where caribou calve and range. The 1.2-million-acre area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.