Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve - Planning a Visit

Introduction
One of the many things that sets Alaska off from the rest of the United States is its lack of roads. Although the state encompasses roughly 20% of the landmass of the US, most major US cities have more miles of roads than exist in the entire state of Alaska. This is reflected in the fact that many of Alaska"s national parks and preserves have no road access. Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve is one of those places that "you can"t drive there from here." Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve is one of those famous places that "you can"t drive there from here." But you can get close. Two highways serve towns near the preserve boundaries. Driving to Eagle, Alaska along the 161-mile Taylor Highway begins at Tetlin Junction on the Alaska Highway and ends on the bank of the Yukon River, 10 miles upstream from the preserve. It is usually open from mid-April to mid-October and is suitable for cars, trucks and RVs. The Steese Highway begins in Fairbanks and travels 162 miles to Circle, 14 miles downstream from the preserve boundary. It is open year round. In good weather, during the summer, it takes about five hours to drive either of these gravel roads.

Check locally about road conditions before setting out and always bring sufficient emergency gear with you. It is recommended that you carry warm clothing, a first aid kit, food, water and two spare tires, just in case. No emergency kit is complete without the Alaskan"s favorite fix-all, a roll of duct tape. Both Eagle and Circle are located on the Yukon River. The river is also accessible from Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada, approximately 100 river miles upstream from Eagle. The Yukon flows through the Preserve and is the best way to visit the area. The river is suitable for rafts, canoes, and motorboats. The lower portions of major sidestreams are accessible to motorized canoes and small boats. There are FAA approved airstrips at Eagle and Circle. There is one airstrip inside the park at Coal Creek. For current information regarding these airstrips it is suggested that you consult the most recent Alaska Supplement to the Airman"s Information Manual published by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Recreation
Historically the Yukon River has been used as a major transportation route in both summer and winter. Today, rafting, kayaking and canoeing are popular on the Yukon River. Many people start in Eagle and end in Circle, either arranging to be picked up, or to be flown back to Eagle. Longer trips, from Dawson or Whitehorse to the lower Yukon or even the Bering Sea, are also popular ways of traveling the Yukon through the preserve. Rafters should be aware that they can encounter all sorts of weather from hot sun to snow along the river. Be sure to bring appropriate protective equipment, including sunscreen, for your trip. Rafting or kayaking the Charley River is also an excellent way to visit Yukon-Charley.

The entire 1.1 million acre watershed of the Charley River is protected inside preserve boundaries. Please see our site bulletin before considering or planning a float trip on the Charley. The river itself is a National Wild River. There are landing strips at Gelvin"s and Three Finger Rapids. Air-chartered drop off and pick up, or continuation to Circle, must be arranged for a trip on the Charley. The Fortymile River, although not within Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, is part of the National Wild and Scenic River System. The river is well-known for excellent whitewater boating opportunities and good road access. The Fortymile and its many branches run across land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), through the Yukon Territory and into the Yukon River upstream from Eagle. Popular trips begin at any of the Fortymile crossings of the Taylor Highway and end at Eagle.

Fishing
Fishing is relatively poor on the Yukon due to the very silty water. Tributaries, which are much clearer, are good sources for arctic grayling. The sloughs where these tributaries flow into the Yukon are home to pike, burbot and sheefish. Fishing regulations may be found in the Alaskan state guide to fishing. Copies are available at any business selling Alaska State hunting and fishing licenses as well as the park headquarters in Eagle and Fairbanks. For more information on fishing in Yukon-Charley, please check out our fishing page available here .
Hunting
Hunting is another popular activity in Yukon-Charley. Moose hunters travel in the Yukon corridor or tributary valleys in the fall in pursuit of Alaska"s largest member of the deer family. Some hunters fly into the high country of the Charley River to hunt Dall sheep, as well. All hunting in Yukon-Charley is subject to state and federal regulations. All plans should be made well in advance. It is also advisable to keep in touch with the preserve staff or BLM for current updates on water and weather conditions in the area you will be visiting. If you are in Eagle, please drop by our visitor center for more information on Yukon-Charley Rivers and its opportunities. For more information on hunting in Yukon-Charley, please check out our hunting page available here .

Hiking
There are no maintained trails in the preserve. Game trails and some old mining trails provide limited hiking opportunities. Most people find summer hiking best above timberline (3000" - 3500") because of fewer insects, less brush, imporved vistas and less chance of surprising bears.

 Camping
Backcountry camping is permitted on any federally owned land within the preserve. Gravel bars are recommended as campsites because they are breezy, discouraging insects and also provide a good view of potential animal encounters such as bears. Please practice low impact camping techniques and leave camping sites free of refuse. Pack everything out and leave NO garbage. The National Park Service maintains a number of public-use cabins located on the Yukon. These can be found at Nation Bluff, Glenn Creek, Washington Creek, the Kandik River and Coal Creek. The land on either side of the Yukon River between Calico Bluff, near Eagle, and just below the mouth of the Tatonduk River is privately owned. Hungwitchin Native Corporation asks that visitors refrain from camping along this 16 mile section of their lands. Campgrounds and waysides operated by the Bureau of Land Management are located along the Taylor and Steese Highways. Both Eagle and Circle have small campgrounds located in or near the community.

Maps
The 1:250,000 series U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps for Eagle, Charley River, Circle, and Big Delta cover the preserve. Although the 1:63,360 series offer greater detail. The two (1:250,000) maps for Eagle and Charley River cover 95% of the preserve. Maps cost $7 each and are available from the Alaska Natural History Assciation, c/o NPS, P.O. Box 167, Eagle, AK 99738 as well as the USGS map office in the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks.

Access
Recreation in the preserve is limited primarily by difficulty of access. There are no roads into the preserve and most trails are used only in the winter. Hiking in the summer is generally restricted to higher ridges where the ground is dry and vegetation tends to be sparse. In general access is via aircraft or boat during the summer months and aircraft, dog team or for the real adventurous types cross-country skiing in the winter.