Get Back Out There: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Sep-2020

Posted By Adam S. On Tuesday, 29 September 2020

Encompassing almost 20,000,000 acres in Northwestern Alaska, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is the largest national wildlife refuge in the country. Arctic Refuge's rich diversity of wildlife includes 42 fish species, 37 land mammals, eight marine mammals, and more than 200 bird species, making it home to some of the most diverse and spectacular wildlife in the arctic.

Spanning five ecological regions from coastal marine to alpine tundra the Artctic Refuge contains vast amounts of remote, complete, and undistributed lands. These untapped lands provide a perfect oppotunity to explore life off the grid and go kayaking, hiking, camping and more in some of the most beautiful landscapes you could imagine.

As part of the Alaska Wildlife Refuge, part of the National Wildlife Refuge created in 1903 by Theodoore Roosevelt, the Artic Refuge was designated in 1960 as a promise to the American people to preserve wildlife, wilderness and recreational values. Open to the public year-round, Arctic Refuge has no roads, developments, or trails. In order to get there visitors must fly, boat or walk. Currently there are a few small scattered Native Settlements currently in the refuge with populations totaling around 500 people living in the refuge!

When you decide to go visit be aware that a good portion of the park does not have cellular service. You will need to have a communications plan. Here are some ultra portable satellite devices that will keep you connected throughout the entire park.