State Parks and National Parks

The Izembek refuge borders the Bering Sea on the tip of the Alaska Peninsula. The landscape includes volcanoes with glacier caps, valleys and tundra uplands that slope into lagoons skirting the Bering Sea.

Izembek Lagoon contains one of the largest eelgrass beds in the world, which provides an estuary haven for migratory birds. The black brant - a small coastal goose - Canada and emperor geese, and other waterfowl congregate in the lagoon to feed on eelgrass before flying south to their wintering areas

Most waterfowl arrive in early September. By early November, a second wave of northern waterfowl, primarily sea ducks, arrives.

The colorful Steller's eider, which nests near Barrow and in Siberia, is the most common wintering duck in the lagoon. Migrated shorebirds congregate in large numbers and raptors can be seen soaring overhead.

There are no established campgrounds, only wilderness camping.

Mountain biking is permitted only on established roadways.

Photo credits in order: Courtesy of Corel. Photo by Glen Smart, courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.