About Izembek National Wildlife Refuge
Homeland of the Unangax̂ peoples, Izembek National Wildlife Refuge is at the tip of the Alaska Peninsula between the highly productive waters of the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska. At the heart of a landscape sculpted by volcanism, glaciation, and marine deposition is Izembek Lagoon, one of the world's largest eelgrass beds. The huge lagoon serves as a resting and feeding area for hundreds of thousands of waterfowl. Virtually the entire population of Pacific black brant, tens of thousands of Taverner's Canada goose, and emperor goose inhabit the lagoon each fall. Thousands of threatened Steller's eiders also molt, rest, and feed at Izembek each autumn.Izembek Lagoon and its associated state-owned tidal lands have been protected by the State of Alaska since 1960 as the Izembek State Game Refuge. Most of the refuge was designated as Wilderness in 1980 under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. This diverse wilderness protects a wide variety of fish and wildlife species including coastal brown bears, all five species of salmon, and the Southern Alaska Peninsula Caribou Herd.In addition to the Lagoon, the most prominent landforms in the refuge include Pavlof Volcano (Pavlof Unit), the heavily-glaciated Shishaldin Volcano (Unimak Island), Frosty Peak and the jagged spires of the Aghileen Pinnacles.
How to Get There
Refuge Headquarters is located in Cold Bay, Alaska approximately one-half mile northeast of the airport terminal. There is limited vehicle access to the refuge itself via five primary gravel or dirt roads, totaling about 40 miles (portions of these require 4-wheel drive). Aircraft or boats are required for access elsewhere within the refuge. For example, Izembek Lagoon can reached from the community of Cold Bay by road through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, and is also accessed by wheel-planes landing on unimproved beaches, and by boat. Off-airport air taxi operators and boat charters are limited. Contact the refuge for the latest information.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Izembek National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Izembek National Wildlife Refuge? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Izembek National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/3923) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Izembek National Wildlife Refuge?
Refuge Headquarters is located in Cold Bay, Alaska approximately one-half mile northeast of the airport terminal. There is limited vehicle access to the refuge itself via five primary gravel or dirt roads, totaling about 40 miles (portions of these require 4-wheel drive). Aircraft or boats are required for access elsewhere within the refuge. For example, Izembek Lagoon can reached from the communi…
How do I contact Izembek National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 907-532-2445 or email: Izembek@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
