Visiting the Refuge

The Alaska Peninsula Refuge offers a variety of recreational opportunities including sport fishing and hunting, flightseeing, observing/photographing wildlife, hiking, backpacking, boating and camping. Refuge lands are remote and accessible only by small aircraft, boat or rugged cross country hiking. There are no roads or maintained trails. Be safe in the backcountry since help could be hours or days away should something go wrong.

King Salmon Visitor Center
The King Salmon Visitor Center is a great place to begin your visit to the Refuge. The Center is located at the King Salmon Airport and is open year-round from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Visitor Center has an information/trip planning desk, exhibits and interactive programs, audio-visual room featuring wildlife films, and an outlet of the Alaska Geographic, a store offering educational books and numerous air/sea navigation charts and topographic maps. Information about air charter services and fishing/hunting guides licensed to operate on public lands can be obtained at the Visitor Center.

Commercial Use
All commercial activity on the refuge, including guiding and transporting, requires a Special Use Permit (pdf). Contact the Refuge office for information. Commercial, recreational and subsistence activities are monitored to assure these activities do not significantly impact wildlife populations and their habitats.

Private Land
There are many parcels of private land within the boundaries of the Refuge. Not all owners have marked their land. Most cabin sites are private property. Please respect all private property and get the landowner’s permission before entering.

Weather
The weather on the Alaska Peninsula is characterized by cool temperatures, high winds, prolonged cloud cover and frequent precipitation. Severe storms can occur year-round, often with intense winds known as williwaws. Summer temperatures can range from 32° F to 80°F, with an average in the 50’s. Precipitation varies with elevation and location. The Bristol Bay lowlands usually get less than 20 inches per year, while up to 160 inches fall on the Pacific coast. Most of the rain and fog occurs from July – October.

Leave No Trace
Enjoy and respect the pristine character of refuge lands. The trip will be more enjoyable if you minimize your impact on the land, wildlife and other visitors. Make demands on yourself, not on the environment, and leave little or not trace of your visit. How little impact can YOU have on the backcountry? Use the the following suggestions to help you “Leave No Trace.”