Wood-Tikchik State Park
The largest state park
in the nation, at 1.6 million acres, Wood-Tikchik State Park was created
in 1978 for the purpose of protecting the area's fish and wildlife breeding
and support systems and preserving continued subsistence and recreational
activities. The management philosophy is one of non-development and maintenance
of the area's wilderness character.
Park facilities are rustic and few, with great emphasis placed upon
low impact camping and "pack it in, pack it out" practices.
Natural Environment
Named for its two separate systems of large, interconnected, clear water
lakes, the park is characterized by its water based ecosystems. Bordered
by the Nushagak lowlands on the east and the Wood River Mountains to
the west, the lake systems span a variety of terrain and vegetative
zones renowned for their diverse beauty.
Spired peaks, high alpine valleys, and deep v-shaped arms give the
lakes' western reaches a spectacular fjord-like appearance. The eastern
edges of the lakes look out upon islands, gravel beaches, and the expansive
tundra of the Nushagak lowlands. The lakes, varying in length from 15
to 45 miles, are deep and temperate, with water temperatures ranging
from 40°F to 60°F throughout the summer season.
The park lies in a biological transition zone between coniferous forest
and tundra. In general, white spruce and mixed spruce-birch forest,
as well as muskeg and willow-alder thickets exist up to approximately
the 900-foot elevation. Above this are bare rock, heath tundra, and
alpine meadow. At the lowest elevations, wet tundra and marshlands are
common.
Climate
The climate varies from the humid, maritime influence of Bristol Bay in the south to the cooler, dryer continental influence of the interior
to the north. The weather is generally cool and moist with daily July
high/low temperatures averaging 65°F and 46°F, respectively. Precipitation
is most prevalent in the summer, occurring about 27% of the time in
August along the coast. Total precipitation averages 25 inches annually
at Dillingham, with fairly large local variations experienced within
the area.
Annual snowfall averages 60 to 70 inches at Dillingham and may reach
more than 160 inches at Lake Nerka. Winds are usually moderate (0-30
mph), prevailing from the southeast/southwest in summer and from the
north and east in winter.
Although the weather during the period from late May to early October
permits outdoor recreational activities almost daily, flying, boating,
and alpine activities are occasionally hampered or unsafe. Be prepared
to delay your activities until conditions allow safe travel.
Fish and Wildlife
All five species of Pacific salmon - king, sockeye (red), pink, silver,
and chum - spawn in the Wood River and Tikchik systems. Sockeyes are
the most important commercially. Freshwater sport fish are generally
prolific throughout the area. Rainbow trout, grayling, lake trout, arctic
char, dolly varden, and northern pike abound. Whitefish are an important
subsistence species in the Tikchik Lakes.
Moose, caribou, and brown bear can be seen throughout the park. Black
bear populations are limited, generally, to the northern and eastern
areas. Common small game and fur bearers include beaver, muskrat, otter,
fox, wolverine, mink, and porcupine. Ground squirrels and marmots are
abundant.
Birds nesting in the area include a wide variety of waterfowl, gulls,
bald eagle, golden eagle, arctic tern, various loons, spotted and least
sandpipers, semi-palmated plover, willow ptarmigan, and spruce grouse.
Numerous transients pass through as well.
For information regarding fish and game
bag and possession limits, seasons, and methods of take, please refer
to the appropriate Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulation booklet.
Target shooting is not permitted within the park.
Camping
The entire park is open to camping. However, several locations in the
Upper Tikchik Lakes require a permit.
Nishlik, Slate, Upnuk and Chikuminuk Lakes, in addition to Tikchik River
float trips require a permit prior to camping or floating. Camping and
river float trip permits are limited and require a $100 fee. Please
call the Dillingham Parks Office, Alekangik Ranger Station (907) 842-2641
for additional information and current permit availability. Permit applications
are available on-line
or by emailing the Dillingham State Parks office at: alison.eskelin@alaska.gov
State Park regulations require anyone engaged in commercial activities
on park lands and waters to obtain a commercial use permit. Permit applications
are available on line or at the Dillingham State Parks office.
Camping at a specific location in the park is limited to 10 consecutive
days, after which the camp must be relocated a minimum of one mile distant
from that location. Campfires are restricted to beaches, gravel bars,
or State Park provided firepits.
Chikuminuk Lake is closed to the use of motorized watercraft, but is
accessible by aircraft. All other lakes in the park are open to motorized
boats.
Numerous privately-owned parcels exist throughout Wood-Tikchik State
Park. Most are undeveloped, but are signed in some way. Please respect
private property and do not trespass. If you have questions regarding
private property, please contact the State Park office in Dillingham.
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Safety Considerations
The park offers a remote wilderness experience. Park visitor self-reliance
and accident prevention practices are key ingredients to a successful
and pleasurable trip. Some tips include:
File
a trip plan. Leave it with a friend, your air taxi, the Wood-Tikchik
State Park office, or someone else reliable. Be sure to close it when
your trip is complete.
Avoid
the bears. View bears from a distance. Keep a very clean camp.
Do not bury trash; haul it out. Avoid camping in the vicinity of salmon
spawning streams and other spawning areas when salmon are present. The
bears will be there!
Protect
your equipment. Bears and porcupines love to disable rafts and
skinned kayaks. Protect them. You're a long way from the road head.
Giardiasis.
The intestinal parasite Giardia Lamblia is prevalent in many
lakes and streams in Alaska. Giardiasis may be contracted by drinking
untreated water in areas of beaver and other water mammal activity.
The symptoms are diarrhea and severe cramping, and may appear up to
two weeks after exposure. Treat water by boiling, using chemical tablets
or biological filter.
Beware
of weather. Wind on the open lakes can quickly create dangerous
whitecap conditions. Always wear a personal flotation device and travel
close to shore during transitional weather patterns. Immersion in cold
water will result in exhaustion or unconsciousness within 30 to 60 minutes.
Use effective rainwear and keep a lighter or waterproofed matches available.
Fires.
Open fires are permitted only on gravel beaches and bars. Use dead and
down wood only. Extinguish fully and bury completely before leaving
the site. The use of portable campstoves is permitted throughout the
park and is encouraged. Live tree cutting is not permitted.
Insects.
Although not regarded a safety hazard, mosquitoes and biting flies can
diminish an otherwise wonderful trip. Pack your favorite repellent.
Food
and fuel. Weather and other unforeseen variables can often extend
a trip unexpectedly. Carry extra food and fuel, just in case.
Access
Daily commercial airline service is available from Anchorage to Dillingham.
Air charter by float-equipped and amphibious aircraft into the park
is available from Dillingham. The entire park is currently open to private
aircraft landings.
Water access to the Wood River Lakes is from Dillingham via the Wood
River or from the village of Aleknagik, 24 miles north of Dillingham
by road. The Wood River Lakes are interconnected by shallow, swift moving
rivers which generally require jet-equipped watercraft. Most parties
fly in and boat out.
Access to the Tikchik Lakes is primarily by aircraft. Parties exit
the Tikchik Lakes by air, or float and/or paddle, to any one of several
native villages on the Nushagak River, where air charter is available
for transport back to Dillingham. Extreme caution is recommended when
approaching the upper Nuyakuk River rapids and falls, just below Tikchik
Lake outlet. Portage is advised. The Allen River, which drains Chikuminuk
Lake into Lake Chauekuktuli requires several portages around Class V+
rapids.
Accommodations and Services
Five commercial sportfishing lodges are located on private property
within the boundaries of the park. These lodges operate on a reservation
basis only, do not cater to drop-in visitation, and do not provide ancillary
services to those other than guests. Additionally, several privately
owned cabins are found throughout the park. Please
respect private property.
For a complete list of commercial operators authorized to conduct
business within the park, write to the address below.
Dillingham
Ranger Station
Wood-Tikchik State Park
PO Box 1822
Dillingham, AK 99576
(907) 842-2641
Email:
bill.berkhahn@alaska.gov
Wood-Tikchik State Park Maps
Wood-Tikchik Land-Use Zoning Fact Sheet
For more information on the park, see the
Management Plan
for Wood-Tikchik State Park.
Wood-Tikchik State Park Brochure
