Nunivak Wilderness
Off the coast of the delta formed by the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers lies Nunivak Island, managed as part of the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge. The southern half of Nunivak comprises the Nunivak Wilderness. Lava flows and craters found in the interior of the island, some of which hold deep lakes, attest to its volcanic origin. An extensive upland plateau stands 500 to 800 feet above sea level. More than 40 rivers combine to drain the upland, and the area supports a large herd of reindeer. Introduced in 1920, the herd now numbers over 4,000 individuals. The Eskimos of the village of Mekoryuk, the only community on the island, own and manage the reindeer.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| State | Alaska |
| Size | 600,000 acres |
| Designated | 1980, by Congress |
| Center point | 59.97° N, 166.45° W |
| Night sky | About as dark as the ground gets (Black Marble reading 15) |
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.
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 Nunivak Wilderness?
600,000 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Nunivak Wilderness?
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Nunivak Wilderness in?
Alaska.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Nunivak Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1980.
Source: Wilderness Connect
How do I get to Nunivak Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 59.972° N, 166.453° 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.