Wildlife viewers find a paradise at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as the opportunities of seeing unparalleled wildlife are enormous. Caribou gather in large herds, numbering in the tens of thousands. The southern portion of the refuge is the heartland for the Porcupine Herd which includes about 150,000 caribou. Imagine the sun beginning to set as you look across the vast tundra, dotted with thousands of caribou, the sound of their hooves echoing with beauty against the silence of this remote wilderness. Your best bet to view this amazing sight is from June to early July at either the Beaufort Sea Coast or from the northern slopes of Brooks Range.

All three species of North American bears are also found in the refuge. Polar bears inhabit the Beaufort Sea Coast, preying on bearded and ringed seals. Grizzly bears can be found in the inland mountainous regions, and black bears can be found in the southern portions of the refuge.

Birders also find a paradise at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge with over 160 migratory bird species. You might even catch sight of the northernmost breeding population of golden eagles on the continent.