About the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge in Tok, Alaska

If you drive the Alaska Highway the first place you visit (after US customs) is the unequaled Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge in Tok, Alaska. This is your first look at the Alaska wilderness that you have driven so far to see. Other than Denali National Park or a few other places in the state there is nowhere else that comes close to the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge or even Tok, Alaska.

The full contact information for this park is:

Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge
1.3 mile Borealis Avenue
PO Box 779
Tok, AK 99780
Phone Number: 907-883-5312
Online: http://tetlin.fws.gov

Like many others, we made two stops at the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge. These were at different times of day. The two stops were very different from each other. Next time we visit, this park is one in which we plan to stay longer.

To help us do that, there are two campgrounds at the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge. Deadman Lake Campground and Lakeview Campground are less than 10 miles apart on the Alaska Highway. Both offer spots for tents and for RVs.

As with all campgrounds in this state bear safety is an absolute must. Your campground must be kept free of anything that will attract bears. Camp waste must either be taken with you or disposed of in the bear proof bins that are at the park. Brochures are available for free at the park office. The rangers at Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge will be glad to answer any questions that you may have about camp safety.

Cabins are also available for short rental periods. These are extremely difficult to get to. For at least one cabin a float plane is required to access it. If you inquire about cabin rentals know that you are primarily going to be on your own there and that you should plan accordingly in case of emergencies.

Do not plan on having a working cell phone. My husband's cell phone did sometimes work but mine did not. If you are hiking in the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge a Spot GPS unit may be a good idea.