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Kodiak Refuge offers superb recreational opportunities—an ideal destination for wildlife viewing, hunting, hiking, kayaking, fishing, camping, and other types of outdoor adventures. Getting to the refuge is not as simple as jumping into a car or strapping on a pair of hiking boots. The refuge covers 1.9 million acres on Kodiak, Uganik, Ban, and Afognak islands, areas only accessible by floatplane or boat.
A visitor center, inside the headquarters office building, is located 0.5 mile north of the state airport on the Buskin River Road (5 miles south of downtown Kodiak). This center offers displays, Kodiak videos, a small Alaska Geographic bookstore, and trip planning information. In addition, refuge staff offer interpretive programs for visitors and assistance to schools and other groups interested in outdoor classroom experiences. During the winter, visit weekdays between 8 am and 4:30 pm. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, visit the visitor center Monday-Friday 8 am-7 pm, or 12 pm-4 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge offers a variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation. For more Information see the following:
Sample of Refuge Recreation Opportunities:
* The refuge maintains seven public use cabins, each available on a reservation basis by lottery held four times a year. For more information about these cabins, including location, amenities, and fees, visit our public use cabin application (pdf).
* Sighting bears along the road system is uncommon. To improve chances of seeing a bear, there are a number of options for bear viewing: 1) Extended stays at remote lodges and camps 2) Flight-seeing trips for a half day or full day. For more information go to Kodiak Brown Bear Viewing Primer.
* Popular fishing destinations such as Karluk River and the Ayakulik River offer world-class fishing opportunities. For public access to Koniag Easement Land (pdf) along Karluk River and Karluk Lake, you must obtain a free refuge permit. While unguided visitors can obtain a permit by contacting the refuge at our toll-free number (888)-408-3514, guided visitors can obtain a permit from commercial guiding services authorized to operate on Koniag Easement Land.
Refuge permits are not required for recreational use of lands along the Ayakulik River. Angling use of the area is, however, managed under a system of voluntary guidelines (pdf) during the peak of the King salmon run in June. For detailed hunting and fishing information, including licenses, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website or view our Sport Fishing page.* Hunting is another popular activity on the refuge. With elk, Sitka black-tailed deer, mountain goats, and bears, Kodiak Refuge offers a lot of hunting possibilities. For more information, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website.
Whether visiting Kodiak Refuge to catch a glimpse of a Kodiak bear, fish for abundant salmon, or seek mountain-top vistas, visitors are sure to leave in awe. Kodiak is a unique refuge, something you truly have to see to believe.
