Bering Land Bridge

Bering Land Bridge National Preserve protects 2.7 million acres of the Seward Peninsula in northwestern Alaska, encompassing a remnant of the land bridge that once connected Asia and North America during the last ice age. This vast preserve of tundra, volcanic features, and coastal lagoons represents part of the landscape that humans and animals traversed when first populating the Americas. The preserve contains remarkable geological features including the northernmost volcanic activity in North America and hot springs that remain ice-free year-round in the Arctic. Extremely remote and accessible only by small aircraft or boat, the preserve receives fewer than 3,000 visitors annually.

The preserve supports populations of caribou, muskoxen, moose, grizzly bears, and wolves across its vast tundra expanses. Caribou from the Western Arctic Herd migrate through the area, while a reintroduced muskox population has become established since transplants in the 1970s. Marine mammals including walrus, seals, and whales frequent the coastal waters, with walrus hauling out on beaches during certain seasons. Seabirds nest along the coast in significant numbers, and migratory birds from multiple continents converge on the wetlands during summer. The preserve's position at the narrowest point of the Bering Strait creates a natural wildlife corridor between continents.

Arctic tundra dominates the landscape, with low-growing vegetation adapted to permafrost, harsh winters, and the brief growing season. Dwarf willows, birch, and Labrador tea form the shrub layer, while sedges, grasses, and mosses cover wetter areas. Wildflowers including arctic poppies, lupines, and louseworts bloom spectacularly during the brief summer. Lichens are abundant and provide critical winter forage for caribou and muskoxen. The preserve's western position and maritime influence create slightly milder conditions than interior arctic regions, supporting somewhat greater plant diversity.

The preserve contains remarkable volcanic features including the Espenberg Maars, large explosion craters formed by volcanic eruptions through permafrost. These maars, now filled with lakes, represent some of the northernmost volcanic activity in North America. Devil Mountain Lakes, formed by maar eruptions about 17,500 years ago, are the largest maar lakes on Earth. Serpentine Hot Springs provides a rare geothermal area within the Arctic, with waters emerging at temperatures up to 170 degrees Fahrenheit. The underlying geology reflects the preserve's position at the edge of the Bering Land Bridge, with sediments and features recording sea level changes over thousands of years.

The preserve experiences an arctic maritime climate with long, cold winters and cool, brief summers. Winter temperatures regularly drop to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, while summer highs occasionally reach the 60s during long daylight hours. The preserve receives approximately 10 inches of precipitation annually, qualifying as semi-arid despite the cold conditions. Snow covers the ground from October through May, and permafrost underlies the entire preserve. Weather is highly variable, with fog, wind, and sudden storms common, making air travel unreliable.

The Bering Land Bridge represents one of the most significant landscapes in human history, serving as the route by which humans first reached the Americas during the last ice age. The Inupiat people have inhabited the Seward Peninsula region for thousands of years, developing remarkable adaptations to the arctic environment. Archaeological sites within the preserve document at least 10,000 years of human habitation, with evidence of hunting, fishing, and seasonal settlement patterns. Traditional subsistence activities continue today, with communities harvesting caribou, marine mammals, fish, and plant resources. The village of Shishmaref on the coast faces relocation due to erosion and climate change impacts.

Bering Land Bridge was designated as a National Monument by President Jimmy Carter in 1978 and redesignated as a National Preserve in 1980 to allow continued subsistence and sport hunting. The preserve was established to protect the archaeological, geological, and biological resources of this globally significant landscape. Management focuses on preserving wilderness character while accommodating traditional uses by local communities. The National Park Service operates the preserve from Nome, with a small visitor contact station in town. Research partnerships investigate climate change impacts, archaeological resources, and ecosystem dynamics.

Serpentine Hot Springs offers a unique arctic hot springs experience, with a small bathhouse and cabin accessible by charter aircraft. The Espenberg Maars and Devil Mountain Lakes provide opportunities to explore remarkable volcanic features found nowhere else in the Arctic. Coastal areas along the Chukchi Sea offer wildlife viewing, beachcombing, and the chance to observe marine mammals. Backpacking across the vast tundra provides solitude and wilderness experience in country rarely visited by humans. The preserve's archaeological resources, while protected, add significance to exploration of this ancient landscape.

Access to the preserve is by chartered bush plane from Nome or Kotzebue, both accessible by commercial air service from Anchorage. Serpentine Hot Springs has a small bathhouse and public use cabin available by reservation. No other facilities exist within the preserve, requiring complete self-sufficiency for backcountry travel. The preserve visitor contact station in Nome provides information, maps, and trip planning assistance. Summer is the only practical season for most visitation, with continuous daylight but often challenging weather. Commercial guides offer supported trips for those seeking expert assistance.

Climate change poses severe threats to the preserve, with permafrost thaw, coastal erosion, and ecosystem changes already evident. The village of Shishmaref on the coast faces relocation due to erosion accelerated by reduced sea ice. The preserve works with local communities to document traditional knowledge and incorporate it into resource management. Archaeological site protection is a priority, with rising seas and thawing permafrost exposing and threatening ancient sites. Research partnerships investigate the pace and impacts of environmental change in this sensitive arctic environment.