Wood-Tikchik State Park

PO Box 1822
Dillingham, AK 99576
(907) 842-2641

WELCOME to 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

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.

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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