Becharof Wilderness
Just where the state begins to slim down into the Alaska Peninsula, Becharof Wilderness extends from the northeast shore of Becharof Lake south to the Pacific Ocean and makes up roughly one-third of the Becharof National Wildlife Refuge. From brushy wetlands to snow-pressed alpine vegetation, Becharof Wilderness provides habitat to many significant wildlife resources, and offers many subsistence and recreational opportunities.When the salmon spawn in the lake, which is just outside the Wilderness boundary, brown bears travel to the area in great numbers. On the coast, Puale Bay provides haul-out beaches for thousands of Steller sea lions and other sea mammals.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| State | Alaska |
| Size | 400,000 acres |
| Designated | 1980, by Congress |
| Center point | 57.87° N, 155.75° W |
| Night sky | About as dark as the ground gets (Black Marble reading 12) |
Boundary map
Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees
The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.
Weather by month
Large units span more than one climate. The station stands in for the center point, and the outer parts of the boundary can be warmer or colder.
Where to camp
No federal campground is within ten miles of the boundary in the Campsite Atlas index. Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from trails and water, with no facilities; the managing agency page has the permit and group-size rules.
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Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Becharof Wilderness?
400,000 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Becharof Wilderness?
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Becharof Wilderness in?
Alaska.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Becharof Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1980.
Source: Wilderness Connect
How do I get to Becharof Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 57.865° N, 155.746° W. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Sources
- Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
- Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
- Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
- Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
- Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.