Yukon–Charley Rivers National Preserve is located in Alaska, spanning over 2.5 million acres of diverse wilderness. It is situated in the eastern interior region of the state, north of the Yukon River and south of the Arctic Circle. The preserve was established in 1978 to protect and preserve the natural and cultural resources found in the area.
The historical background of Yukon–Charley Rivers National Preserve is rich and intertwined with the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 19th century. During this period, the rivers in the preserve, including the Yukon and Charley Rivers, served as key transportation routes for gold prospectors heading towards the Klondike goldfields in the Yukon Territory, Canada. The area also saw an influx of miners and settlers establishing homesteads along the rivers during this time.
Today, there are numerous things to do and explore in the preserve. Visitors can embark on river trips, allowing them to experience the pristine beauty of the Yukon and Charley Rivers, which still retain their wild and untouched characteristics. Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy angling for salmon, arctic grayling, and other fish species in the rivers.
Hiking and backpacking opportunities are abundant within the preserve, offering visitors the chance to explore its remote landscapes and encounter wildlife such as moose, caribou, and bears. The preserve also contains historic sites, including remnants of old cabins, mining equipment, and other artifacts from the gold rush era.
Nearby attractions include the Eagle Historic District, located across the Yukon River from the preserve, which offers a glimpse into the town's gold rush past. Another nearby attraction is the Kandik River, which became famous during the gold rush and is known for its pristine and scenic beauty.
Overall, Yukon–Charley Rivers National Preserve provides a unique and immersive experience for visitors, allowing them to step back in time and appreciate the vast wilderness of Alaska while exploring its rich historical significance.
Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve is nestled within the vast wilderness of Alaska, making it an integral part of the state's diverse and majestic landscape. Situated in the eastern interior region of Alaska, the preserve stretches across 2.5 million acres of rugged terrain, encompassing spectacular river valleys, vast plateaus, and towering mountains. Located about 100 miles east of Fairbanks, this national preserve is sandwiched between the Yukon River to the south and the Charley River to the north. Its remote location and vast expanse of wilderness create a sanctuary for wildlife, offering visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in an untouched natural wonderland where the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness reigns supreme.
101 Dunkel StSuite 110Fairbanks, AK 99701Driving DirectionsPhone: 907-459-3730Web: Link
The best time to visit Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve for pleasant weather and outdoor activities is during the summer months from June to August. During this time, the average maximum temperatures range from 64.9°F to 71.9°F, and the average minimum temperatures range from 39.3°F to 45.8°F. The monthly precipitation averages around 2.7 inches during this period. These warmer and more moderate weather conditions make it ideal for exploring the preserve and engaging in various outdoor activities.
Some of the activities you can do in Yukon–Charley Rivers National Preserve are: Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Camping Backcountry Camping Hiking Boating Motorized Boating Canoe or Kayak Camping Dog Sledding Fishing Backcountry Hiking Hunting and Gathering Hunting Paddling Canoeing Kayaking Whitewater Rafting Skiing Cross-Country Skiing Snowmobiling
Learn about these topics at Yukon–Charley Rivers National Preserve: Animals Birds Geology Night Sky Archeology Industry Native American Heritage Tragic Events Floods Westward Expansion Fire Trails Water Trails Wilderness Colonization and Settlement Explorers and Expeditions Mining Military US Army The Gold Rush Wolves Arctic Tundra Aurora Borealis Watersheds
Explore world-class exhibits, watch a free informative movie, and receive assistance on your trip planning needs while at the Alaska Public Lands Information Center, located inside of the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center in Fairbanks, Alaska.
The following locations have passport stamps for your "Passport to Your National Parks" booklet: Fairbanks Alaska Public Lands Information Center.
This park doesn't have any campsites within its boundaries (or we haven't found them yet)).
| Date issued | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025-05-27 | New Wildland Fire Found in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve A wildland fire was discovered May 25 in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, across the Yukon River from Kathul Mountain, east of Washington Creek. On Tuesday May 27, the smokejumpers completed their work and demobilized, leaving the fire in monitor status. More |
| 2024-11-21 | Slaven's Public Use Cabin Permit Application Open for Public Comment The National Park Service (NPS) has received a Special Use Permit application under 36 CFR 13.160 (“Use of cabins for subsistence purposes”) from a federally qualified local subsistence user for non-exclusive use of the Slaven’s Public Use Cabin (65.35045, -143.12267) for subsistence purposes from October 1 through February 1 of the 2025 and 2026 winter seasons. As required under 36 CFR 13.110 (“Notice and comment on proposed permit”), the NPS is hereby providing public notice and initiating a 60-day public comment period. The public is invited to comment on the proposed activity. DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: January 21, 2025 by 5:00 pm More |
| 2024-06-27 | Historic Coal Creek Camp Mess Hall Lost in Structural Fire On Monday, June 24th, Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve personnel working at Coal Creek Camp observed the Coal Creek Camp Mess Hall fully engulfed in fire. More |
| 2024-03-27 | Pile Burning for Fuels Reduction and Reduced Fire Risk Fire Management staff plans to burn piles of woody debris not suitable for firewood from Sunday, March 31, through Wednesday, April 3, 2024. The piles are located on NPS lands surrounding two allotments near Nation Bluff, below the confluence of the Nation and Yukon Rivers, approximately 53 miles downstream of Eagle along the Yukon River. Fire staff will ignite approximately 30 piles and monitor them over multiple days, until no heat remains. As this is a planned ignition, please do not report smoke from this prescribed burn as a wildfire. More |
| 2023-11-01 | Smith Public Use Cabin Closure The Superintendent issued a closure of the Smith/40-Mile Public Use Cabin due to being unsafe for public occupancy as a result of structural damage caused by the 2023 Yukon River break-up and flooding. More |
| 2023-10-31 | Update to Closure of Damaged Public Use Cabins The Superintendent is continuing a closure issued on July 25, 2023, of the Smith/40-Mile Public Use Cabin and rescinding the previous closure of the Kandik Public Use Cabin. More |