Koryak Nature Reserve

Koryak Nature Reserve encompasses over 320,000 hectares across three separate sectors in northern Kamchatka Peninsula. The area includes mountain ranges, river valleys, and coastal stretches along the Bering Sea where salmon spawn and seabirds nest in large numbers.

The reserve was established in December 1995 to protect major breeding colonies of waterfowl and migratory seabirds in the Russian Far East. Its creation reflected growing efforts to safeguard key ecosystems in Kamchatka from human impact and environmental damage.

The territory maintains deep ties to the indigenous Koryak people, who have sustained traditional ways of living in these lands across generations. Their presence here remains connected to hunting and fishing practices that have shaped life in the region for centuries.

Access to the reserve requires advance permits and remains restricted largely to scientific research, with entry points near the village of Tilichiki. Visitors should prepare for remote conditions, harsh weather, and minimal facilities or services.

The reserve contains over 300 plant species with rare specimens shaped by geological isolation over time. The river systems also hold important salmon spawning grounds that draw thousands of migrating fish and support the entire marine food chain.

Location: Kamchatka Krai

Inception: December 26, 1995

Website: http://koryakskigpz.ru

GPS coordinates: 59.80787,166.19577

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:05