Homeland of the Alutiiq Sugpiaq peoples, Kodiak Archipelago is located in the Gulf of Alaska, 30 miles from the nearest mainland coast, across the notoriously temperamental Shelikof Strait. Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge spans almost two million acres and covers more than 2/3rds of Kodiak Island, part of Afognak Island, and all of Ban and Uganik Islands.

Spruce forests blanket lowlands in the northeastern third of Kodiak archipelago, while to the southwest, tundra prevails. A backbone of mountains rising over 4,000 feet runs the length of Kodiak Island. Within Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, you'll never be more than 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Here, Kodiak brown bears gorge on salmon and mountains rise 4,000 feet from craggy coastlines, misty fiords, and deep glacial valleys. Birds are prolific. Kodiak's climate is marine-influenced and characterized by moderately heavy precipitation, cool temperatures, and cloudy days. However, breaks in the weather are stunning.
A large brown bear stands in a river. On-screen text is 9:44:28 AM July 24, 2024. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service logo with text: National Wildlife Refuge System. A non-live video player toolbar shows a pause button, audio mute button, a live indicator, a settings gear icon, and an expand window icon.
Kodiak Refuge Live Web Camera

You can now watch Kodiak brown bear activity live anytime during the summer at this website! 
View the Live Stream

Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge recently installed a new camera and Starlink service along the Dog Salmon River near Frazer Lake at Frazer Fish Pass within the refuge. Bear viewing occurs in this area in the summer. Permitted air transporters fly visitors into Frazer Lake, walk a 1.25-mile trail, and sit with visitors on one of two small grassy wildlife viewing knolls adjacent to and in view of the fish weir where bear activity is concentrated. Anglers also visit the area and enter the river downstream of the bear viewing areas with a commercial guide.

Location and Contact Information

      Kodiak brown bear sitting by the edge of a river.
      Cabin Reservations Available on Recreation.gov

      Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge makes it easy for you to reserve a cabin on recreation.gov. The ten public use cabins are rustic and equipped with basic amenities including bunk beds without mattresses, an oil or wood stove, a table and chairs, and an exterior storage cache for supplies, or fish and game meat storage. Outhouse-style toilets are also provided.

      Recreation.gov logo, bring home a story!
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      Our Species

      Our Library

      Past and present projects and research conducted on Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge.

      a line drawing of a sea otter holding her pup
      Conservation in Color: Alaska's Wildlife
      Download these digital coloring pages created by Alaskan artists to learn more about wildlife and conservation, while creating works of art.
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      Get Involved

      woman kneels next to a huge brown bear paw
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      Kodiak welcomes and relies on volunteers, Friends, and interns to accomplish refuge goals in all aspects of conservation and education!

      Common volunteer opportunities include cabin maintenance, invasive plant control, berry surveys, bird banding, and staffing the visitor center.

      Volunteer opportunities on the Refuge include float plane or boat transportation to the Refuge, as well as meals and lodging, but trips to the Refuge require aviation and bear safety training to be completed in advance so be sure to plan ahead.

      We welcome youth volunteers to assist with several refuge programs. Opportunities include: The Kodiak Refuge Youth Leadership (KRYL) Program, Salmon Camp Aide, Avian Monitoring (bird banding), Visitor Center Guide and assisting our staff with events and environmental education programs.

      Projects and Research

      Diverse island ecosystems, abundant fish and wildlife, and a remote wildland setting serve as an ideal outdoor laboratory. Working jointly, biologists with the Refuge, State of Alaska, and U.S. Geological Survey monitor populations of Kodiak brown bear, bald eagle, salmon and other fish and wildlife and their habitats to estimate trends in abundance, survival, and productivity. The Refuge also sponsors and conducts basic and applied research projects, develops monitoring methods, and evaluates management strategies.

      By designing and implementing appropriate research and monitoring studies, the Refuge will better understand, conserve, and protect its natural and cultural resources for the continuing benefit of the public.