National park · United States

Yukon–Charley Rivers National Preserve

Go only if you can commit 5–10 days to a river: float Eagle to Circle on the Yukon (158 mi, 5–7 days) or fly into the Charley headwaters for Class II–III whitewater in June–August. No road reaches the preserve; entry is free.

Not field-verifiedSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

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Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

10,176 km²3,929 sq mi

approximate

Established

1978

Best months

Jun–Aug

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…

North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

At a glance

Country: United States
Area: 10,176 km²3,929 sq mi; About 10,176 km² (2.5 million acres); boundary follows the Yukon River corridor and the Charley basin (check).
Established: 1978
Best months: Jun–Aug
Permits: For some areas

Yukon–Charley Rivers protects 208 km of the Yukon River and the whole Charley River basin along the Canada border in Interior Alaska — a roadless block of boreal forest, bluffs and historic gold dredges. There is no entrance gate, no fee and no road in: you arrive by air taxi, by boat from Eagle or Circle, or on foot in winter. Most visitors float one of the two rivers and camp on gravel bars.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

No UNESCO listing; national park since 1978.

Size and age

10,176 km²3,929 sq mi · national park since 1978

About 10,176 km² (2.5 million acres); boundary follows the Yukon River corridor and the Charley basin (check).

Why go

A 5–7 day wilderness float on the Yukon with no road, no lodge and no cell signal.
The Charley River is a designated National Wild River — clear water, bluffs and Class II–III rapids in a basin with no development.
Historic gold-mining sites at Coal Creek and Slaven's Roadhouse sit right on the riverbank.
Free public-use cabins, first come first served, if you reach them before another party does.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanAvoid
FebAvoid
MarCaution
AprCaution
MayGo
JunBest
JulBest
AugBest
SepGo
OctAvoid
NovAvoid
DecAvoid

Jan−40 °C and below; only serious winter travel−40 °F and below; only serious winter travel
FebYukon Quest dog teams cross the preserve; extreme cold
MarLong daylight returns; snowmachine and ski travel only
AprBreak-up begins late month; ice unsafe
MayYukon floatable from late May; ice-out timing varies
JunCharley runnable; long days, few bugs yet
JulWarmest water and weather; peak mosquitoes
AugCharley float season ends; cooler nights
SepYukon floatable to month end; frost and fewer people
OctFreeze-up; rivers close
NovDark, cold, no river access
DecDeep winter; only guided or expedition travel

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Yukon–Charley Rivers National Preserve
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Chinook, coho and chum salmonJul–Sep · Best fishing on Yukon tributaries or near their mouths, where the water runs clearer than the main stem.	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no
Arctic grayling, northern pike, sheefish, burbot, whitefishJun–Sep	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no
Moose and caribouJun–Sep · Often seen from the river; give them room on gravel bars.	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no
Black bear and wolfMay–Sep · Store food in bear-resistant containers.	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no
Dall's sheepJun–Aug · On the higher ground above the Charley.	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	no

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Fairbanks

Drive the Steese Highway to Circle (162 mi, mostly gravel), then 14 mi upriver by powerboat; or charter an air taxi into the Charley headwaters.

3–4 h drive, then boat or flight

From Eagle

Drive the Taylor Highway from Tetlin Junction (151 mi, gravel, usually mid-April to mid-October), then float downstream 12 mi to the boundary.

4–5 h from the Alaska Highway

From Tok

Air taxi or road to Eagle via the Taylor Highway; Tok is the nearest road hub on the Alaska Highway.

3–4 h by road to Eagle

From Anchorage

Fly or drive to Fairbanks first, then continue by air taxi or the Steese Highway.

1 h flight or 6 h drive to Fairbanks

Open the page →

Zones and sectors

Zones of Yukon–Charley Rivers National Preserve
Zone	What is there	Access
Yukon River corridor	The 208 km of main-stem river inside the preserve, with gravel bars, islands and the Coal Creek mining district.The 129 mi of main-stem river inside the preserve, with gravel bars, islands and the Coal Creek mining district.	Open; float or powerboat, no permit.
Charley River basin	The entire Charley watershed — clear water, bluffs and rapids, no road and no development.	Open; float from the headwaters, usually by air taxi.
Coal Creek and Slaven's Roadhouse	Historic dredge and roadhouse buildings on the Yukon bank.	Open; reachable only by boat or plane.
Eagle and Circle (outside the boundary)	The two road-system towns used as put-in and take-out.	Road access; services and lodging.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Approximate positions for orientation only; the preserve has no road and few surveyed visitor points.

1Fairbanks NPS office · Headquarters≈64.838, -147.716101 Dunkel St, Suite 110 — trip planning and bear containers.Map ↗
2Eagle · Town≈64.786, -141.200Taylor Highway put-in, 12 mi upstream of the boundary.Map ↗
3Circle · Town≈65.834, -144.076Steese Highway take-out, 14 mi downstream of the boundary.Map ↗
4Coal Creek and Slaven's Roadhouse · Village≈65.300, -143.200Approximate; historic mining district on the Yukon bank.Map ↗
5Charley River mouth · Trail≈65.317, -142.783Approximate; where the Charley meets the Yukon.Map ↗
6Preserve centre · Viewpoint≈65.000, -142.800Approximate; Wikiview coordinates for the preserve.Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

Boat tripsModerate5–7 daysYukon River float, Eagle to Circle158 mi (254 km) of moving water, no rapids; most parties average 30 mi a day and camp on gravel bars.

Boat tripsHard5–8 daysCharley River floatMostly Class II, with Class III and occasional Class IV at high water near the bluffs where it meets the Yukon valley.Booking: Air taxi to the headwaters

CultureEasy2–4 hCoal Creek Historic Mining DistrictDredge and buildings on the Yukon bank; Slaven's Roadhouse serves as a bunkhouse in summer.

CultureEasy1 hBiederman's CabinDog-mail carrier's cabin with two fish wheels, near Coal Creek.

TrailsExpertMulti-dayWinter travel and the Yukon Quest routePart of the February dogsled race route crosses the preserve; snowmachine and ski travel need expedition planning.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

USD ranges · check

Fees for Yukon–Charley Rivers National Preserve
Item	Range	Per	Note
Entrance to the preserve	Free	person	No entrance fee and no gate; the preserve is free to enter.
Air taxi, Fairbanks to Charley headwaters	US$1,500–3,000	flight	2026 estimate; depends on aircraft, party size and landing strip.
Air taxi, Fairbanks or Tok to Eagle or Circle	US$400–900	person	2026 estimate; one-way seat or charter.
Public-use cabin	Free	cabin	Free, first come first served; no reservation.

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Entrance no permit

None. There is no gate or fee station.

Cabin stay over 10 days in 30 permit or guide

Apply to the preserve superintendent through the NPS office in Fairbanks.

Commercial river guide permit or guide

Guides and outfitters operating in the preserve hold NPS permits; ask before booking.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

Food storage: Use bear-resistant containers; borrow them from the NPS visitor centres in Fairbanks or Eagle.
Cabins: Public-use cabins are free and first come first served; no reservations. Stays over 10 days in 30 need a superintendent permit.
Fires: Use existing rings and dead wood only; the boreal forest is a fire-dependent ecosystem and summer lightning starts fires.
Historic structures: Do not remove artefacts from the Coal Creek district, Slaven's Roadhouse or Biederman's Cabin.
Drones: Not allowed without NPS permission (check).check

Where to stay

In the park

Public-use cabins

Free rustic cabins in the preserve, first come first served; no beds or bedding.

Near the park

Eagle

Small town at the end of the Taylor Highway with lodging and the Eagle Visitor Center.

Near the park

Circle

Steese Highway town used as the take-out for Yukon floats.

Near the park

Fairbanks

Full services, air taxis and the NPS office at 101 Dunkel St.

Safety

No cell service and no amenities high

Carry a satellite messenger or PLB, and enough food, water and warm clothing for days beyond your plan.

Bears high

Cook away from your tent, store food in bear-resistant containers, and know how to use bear spray.

Cold water and weather swings medium

Interior Alaska runs from −46 °C in winter to 36 °C in summer; wear layers and keep a dry bag for spare clothing.

Remote gravel highways medium

On the Taylor and Steese Highways carry two spare tires and check road condition reports before setting out.

High water on the Charley medium

Class III–IV rapids appear at high water near the bluffs; scout or portage if unsure.

Accessibility

There are no paved paths, boardwalks or accessible facilities in the preserve; access is by boat, plane or on foot.
The Eagle Visitor Center is the closest place to ask about accessible options and current conditions.

Visiting lightly

Pack out everything, including food waste; there is no collection anywhere in the preserve.
Camp on durable gravel bars rather than riverbank vegetation.
Keep group sizes small on the Charley, which has no development and little traffic.
Report bear encounters and any damage to historic structures to the NPS.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Yukon–Charley Rivers National Preserve?

Nothing. There is no entrance fee, no gate and no permit for general entry. Your real costs are transport: an air taxi from Fairbanks to the Charley headwaters runs roughly US$1,500–3,000 per flight (2026 estimate), and a seat to Eagle or Circle around US$400–900 per person.

What are the best hikes in Yukon–Charley Rivers National Preserve?

There are no maintained trails. The two classic routes are river trips, not hikes: the 158 mi (254 km) Yukon float from Eagle to Circle over 5–7 days, and the Charley River float from the headwaters, mostly Class II with Class III–IV at high water. On land, people walk gravel bars and ridges around Coal Creek and Slaven's Roadhouse.

When is the best time to visit Yukon–Charley Rivers National Preserve?

June to August for the Charley, and late May to September for the Yukon. June and July give the longest daylight and warmest weather; September is quieter but frosty. Winter travel is expert-only, with temperatures down to −46 °C.

How do I get to the preserve?

No road enters it. Drive the Taylor Highway to Eagle and float down, drive the Steese Highway to Circle and go 14 mi upriver by powerboat, or charter an air taxi from Fairbanks or Tok into the Charley headwaters.

Can I stay overnight in the preserve?

Yes. Public-use cabins are free and first come first served, with no reservations; stays over 10 days in a 30-day period need a permit from the superintendent. Most floaters camp on gravel bars instead.

Is there cell service or any services in the preserve?

No. There is no cell phone service, no fuel, no food and no amenities. Carry a satellite messenger or personal locator beacon and all supplies you need.

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go