State Parks and National Parks

Becharof National Wildlife Refuge

The Becharof National Wildlife Refuge sits between the Katmai National Park and Preserve and the Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge.

The refuge is dominated by Becharof Lake, the second largest lake in Alaska. The lake covers one-fourth of the refuge and is surrounded by low rolling hills, tundra wetlands and volcanic peaks.

The salmon spawning streams attract one of the largest concentrations of brown bears in Alaska.

Moose inhabit the refuge and caribou move through during migrations. Other mammals include wolves, wolverines, river otters, red foxes and beavers.

In addition, thousands of marine mammals such as sea otters, sea lions, harbor seals and migratory whales inhabit the shore waters.

Becharof Lake, measuring 300,000 acres, is home to salmon, arctic char and grayling. Waterfowl as well as nesting eagles, peregrine falcons and thousands of sea birds inhabit the sea cliffs and islands.

Becharof offers outstanding hunting and fishing opportunities.

Photo credits in order: Courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.