All about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is located in northeast Alaska. It is the largest national wildlife refuge in the United States.  The refuge was created in 1960 but it was expanded in 1980.  The area protects six different ecozones from the northern coast to the Brooks Mountain range to the mighty Yukon River to boreal forest.  The area is home to polar bears, caribou, wolves, eagles.  During the summer, thousands of migratory birds visit.  The refuge is open to the public and is true wilderness.  There are no roads in the ANWR or any services outside of the small town of Kaktovik.

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Profile

Region	Alaska Region
Park Size	19,286,722 acres (30,135 sq miles) (78051 sq km) About the size of South Carolina
Elevation	Highest point: 8,901 feet (2,713 m) at  the summit of Mount Chamberlin Lowest point: 0 feet (0 m) at the Beaufort Sea
Location	North Slope Borough
Nearby Cities	Kaktovik
Founding Date	Arctic National Wildlife Range – December 6, 1960 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge  – December 2, 1980
Visitors	3,510,000 (in 2017)
Busy Season	July to early October
Visitor Centers	None
Park Hours	Open 365 days (24 hours a day)