Yukon Kuskokwim River Delta
The Yukon-Kuskokwim River Delta spans from the western edge of Southcentral Alaska to the Bering Sea. The Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers meander through an area encompassing over 50,000 square miles - one of the world’s largest river deltas. The 19.2 million acre Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge protects the nesting habitat of one of the largest congregations of water birds in the world.
Bethel is the largest community in the area and is a commercial center and port on the Kuskokwim River. With 6,400 residents, it is the largest rural community in Alaska and is a hub for 56 Alaska Native villages in the region. Bethel was a Yup’ik trading center in the 1870s and is still a marketplace for Yup’ik ivory carvings, baskets, and other craft items today. The town’s Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center features exhibits and demonstrations of dancing and carving. With daily scheduled air service from Anchorage, Bethel is easily accessible.
Yukon Kuskokwim River Delta: Cities & Towns
Yukon Kuskokwim River Delta: Parks
Local Climate & Weather
For Alaska's day-to-day weather, it’s best to plan for a bit of everything. Learn more about weather in this area.