Camping, hiking, backpacking, exploration, nature observation, photography, and coastal boating are among many possible activities. Winter offers opportunities for snowmobiling, dog sledding, and some cross-country skiing. Hunting and fishing are permitted under state regulations; Alaska hunting and fishing licenses are required. You can explore remains of the gold-rush era and evidence of ancient Eskimo life. The park and surroundings, including Native villages, offer opportunities to observe and learn about traditional subsistence lifestyles and historic reindeer herding.

Scenery

The park contains extensive lava flows and ash/steam explosion craters now turned to lakes called maars. It also offers dynamic coast and beach environments of barrier islands and low sand dunes. More than 400 species of plants have been listed at the preserve. Many evolved in ancient Beringia and spread into Asia or northern Canada and the United States. Tundra plant communities range from wet tundra on the coast to alpine tundra on mountains in and near the park. Serpentine Hot Springs nestles in a haunting valley marked by imposing granite spires called tors.

Birding

The Seward Peninsula boasts a rich and diverse birdlife — more than 170 known species, including seabirds such as gulls, murres, and kittiwakes; migrating and nesting waterfowl such as ducks, swans, and geese; birds of prey such as hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls; and many songbirds of the tundra and uplands. At the crossroads of the AsiaticNorth American flyway, this area offers rare opportunities to observe several Old World species.

Wildlife Viewing

Mammals in the park include the musk ox, grizzly bear, moose, reindeer, wolf, wolverine, foxes, and smaller species. Once extinct from the Seward Peninsula, musk oxen were reintroduced in 1970 and today are thriving. Reindeer from Siberia were introduced here in 1891 as a meat source to replace native caribou that seem to have disappeared earlier in the century. Reindeer herding and husbandry is a small but thriving industry for Eskimo herdsmen. In winter, polar bears frequent the coastline and may come ashore.

Marine mammals occasionally seen along the coast include several species of seals, walrus, and beluga and bowhead whales.

Fishing

Fish in area rivers, streams, and lakes include several species of salmon, grayling, char, whitefish, and pike.

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