State Parks and National Parks

Unalakleet River

The cold, crystal-clear waters of the Unalakleet National Wild River drop gradually along the river's entire length. There are no waterfalls or rapids, but the scenery is astounding and wildlife abundant.

Given the river's remote location in western Alaska, visitors are less likely to encounter other humans on the Unalakleet River. Boaters seeking solitude can camp along the riverbanks and sleep beneath the Milky Way.

The scenery is a stunning patchwork of gravel bars, cutbanks, oxbows and marshes that often provide expansive views of the valley floor. While the lower reaches are open tundra, vegetation in the upper reaches is dense and can obscure views of the surrounding hills.

Fishing is excellent for chinook, coho, chum and pink salmon. Arctic grayling and arctic char are plentiful.

The 76-mile river trip from Tenmile Creek to the village of Unalakleet takes about six days.

Photo credits in order: Photo by Jake Schlapfer, courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management. Photo by Jake Schlapfer, courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management.