Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge is a refuge in eastern Interior Alaska established in July 1980 under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. Its northern boundary is the Alaska Highway, so it is the first refuge travellers meet when entering Alaska by road.[1]
| Established | July 1980 (ANILCA) |
|---|---|
| Refuge-managed land | 682,604 acres |
| Boundary | 932,000 acres |
| Set aside | About 730,000 acres |
| Road | Alaska Highway (1,523 miles) |
| Habitats | Mountains, rivers, forest, tundra, wetlands |
Establishment
Congress set aside about 730,000 acres in 1980 under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. The refuge manages 682,604 acres within a boundary of 932,000 acres, because some land inside is state-owned or private.[1]
Habitats and birds
The refuge includes snow-capped mountains, glacier-fed rivers, forests, treeless tundra and abundant wetlands. Thousands of migratory birds pass through each spring and fall.[1]
Visiting
The northern boundary follows the 1,523-mile Alaska Highway, and the refuge offers interpretation and environmental education programs.[1]
Establishment and size
Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1980 and covers about 700,058 acres, making it one of the larger refuges in the United States. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages it, and the nearest communities are Northway, Alaska, and Beaver Creek, Yukon [2].
Landscape
The refuge lies in the upper Tanana River valley, bounded by the Alaska Range, and includes wetlands, forests, tundra, lakes, mountains, and glacial rivers [2].
Birds
The valley is a major migratory route, with migrants arriving from April into early June, and about 116 species breed there in summer [2].
Wildlife
The refuge supports moose, Dall sheep, wolves, grizzly and black bears, Canadian lynx, and members of three caribou herds. Humpback whitefish, Arctic grayling, northern pike, and burbot live in its waters [2].
FAQs
When was Tetlin refuge established? July 1980.
How large is it? 682,604 acres managed, in a 932,000-acre boundary.
Where is it? Eastern Interior Alaska along the Alaska Highway.
How big is Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge? About 700,058 acres [2].
When was it established? 1980 [2].
Sources
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge: About Us
- Wikipedia: Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge
Key facts
- 682,604 managed acres
- Est. July 1980
Quick checkWhich law created Tetlin refuge?Show answer
ANILCA, in 1980
Sources
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge: About Us. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-13)
- Wikipedia. Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-14)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 13, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue