Becharof National Wildlife Refuge

Welcome to Becharof National Wildlife Refuge.  

Landscapes and Wildlife: From the rugged coastline to the summit of volcanic Mt. Peulik (An Alaskan native term for smoking mountain), to the glacial rivers and tundra this place is a land of great contrasts. One of the more interesting landmarks of this refuge is the 35 mile long, 15 mile wide, and 600 feet deep Becharof Lake, the second biggest Lake in Alaska and the largest in the National Wildlife Refuge System. This lake boasts the world's second largest run of sockeye salmon and it's estimated that the lake and it's tributaries provide the Bristol Bay fishery up to six million salmon annually. Some of the other wild animals who call this place home include moose, caribou, otters, beavers, wolverines, foxes, harbor seals, whales, and peregrine falcons. Please treat their home with respect.

Refuge History: The Becharof National Wildlife Refuge boasts a unique history. Dinosaur fossils from the late Cretaceous period have been discovered here. Many of the cultures from the Aleutian Islands, Western Alaska, and Kodiak region met here to form new and unique cultures. In the 1920's oil exploration began in this region and in 1959, the Bear Creek Oil well, the deepest in the world at the time, was drilled near the village of Kanatak. None of the wells were successful however. Becharof National Wildlife Refuge was estabished in 1980.  

For the lover of the outdoors Becharof National Wildlife Refuge boasts a giant lake stocked with salmon, trout, and pike, miles of trails, and so much more. Come on out and explore.

This was RecPlanet place of the day on October 14, 2017.