Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Alaska offers pristine tundra, caribou migrations, and remote wilderness. It is a critical habitat for polar bears and muskoxen, and provides opportunities for long-distance snowmachine travel and backcountry hiking. Access is limited and permits are required for most activities.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Alaska |
| Subregion | Arctic |
| Country | USA |
| State | Alaska |
| County | North Slope Borough |
| District | Arctic National Wildlife Refuge |
| Timezone | AmericaAnchorage |
| Latitude | 70 |
| Longitude | -147.5 |
| Maps |
5:15 PM LOCAL TIMEArctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is a vast federal protected area in northeastern Alaska, encompassing over 87,000 km². Its landscape is dominated by alpine tundra, sprawling coastal plains, and glacial rivers. The refuge is globally renowned for large-scale caribou (Rangifer tarandus) migrations, as well as predators like polar bears Ursus maritimus, muskoxen Ovibos moschatus, and bluenose phalaropes. While much of the area is extremely remote and difficult to access, visitors who venture here can experience long-distance snowmachine (snowmobile) travel, backcountry hiking, and seasonal hunting and fishing — typically under strict federal regulations. Permits are required for most activities, and access is often weather-dependent and controlled for conservation and safety. The North Slope Borough manages some transportation services, but exploring ANWR is generally a multi-day undertaking that calls for careful planning, respect for subsistence users, and an understanding of extreme Arctic conditions.
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