The Arctic Wildlife Refuge is one of the most untouched ecosystems on the planet. With almost 20 million acres of land in Alaska, it is large and filled with stunning wildlife! It has hundreds of endangered species that count it as critical habitat, and is commonly referred to as “America’s Serengeti!”

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was designated in 1960 to preserve the unique and beautiful wildlife and habitat of this amazing area.
Madhav Pai / Flickr
In 1980, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act was created to specifically conserve the plants and animals. It also fulfills international wildlife treaties and ensures a place for sustainably hunting!
The refuge covers 19,286,722 acres of land and water.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters / Flickr
It's located in northeastern Alaska, in the Arctic Circle, and is the size of South Carolina. It has no road access or campgrounds and is very remote.
There is an incredible amount of wildlife in this space!
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters / Flickr
There are more than 200 species of birds, 37 land mammals, eight marine mammals, and 42 species of fish that live in this area. Moose, shrew, polar bears, and so many more make their home here.

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The Porcupine Caribou has their calving ground on the Coastal Plain of Alaska.
Danielle Brigida / Flickr
There are more than 170,000 caribou in the herd. These caribou migrate more than 400 miles from the Brooks Range to the Coastal Range each year.
A lot of the birds you'll find in the Refuge migrate from the lower 48.
Danielle Brigida / Flickr
They feed all summer long on the incredible abundance that grows in this area! The midnight sun contributes to the incredible biological plant diversity in the area.
The arctic and sub-arctic conditions in the area are home to incredible plants that have adapted to the extreme weather in the area!
Danielle Brigida / Flickr
The long, cold, frozen winters and short summers with 24 hours of intense sunlight offer a unique offering for the wildlife in the area. Plants like the Arctic Poppy swivel their head to follow the sun to gather as much light as possible during the growing season.
If you're interested in learning more about the Arctic Wildlife Refuge, the US Fish and Wildlife Service is a great resource!
Kevan Dee / Flickr
You can volunteer at the Arctic Refuge with the non-profit Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges. They sometimes even have jobs available at the federal level on the website USAJobs.gov.

Have you ever had the chance to visit the Arctic Wildlife Refuge? What did you think about it? Let us know in the comments below!

If you’re looking for another fun place to visit, There’s An Arctic Desert Hiding At This Underrated National Park In Alaska!

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