Viewing Guides and Checklists
Guidebooks

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has published the following guides to help you enjoy Alaska's wildlife. Whether you're a lifelong Alaskan or you're planning your first visit, these guides will provide valuable information on the best places to explore.

Alaska's Nome Area Wildlife Viewing Guide

Alaska's Nome Area Wildlife Viewing Guide explores wildlife viewing along the three main roads that lead out of Nome crossing rivers, tundra, coastal byways, mountain passes, and northern forest. The guide also contains profiles of wildlife, including select birds and land and marine mammals; descriptions of various habitats that provide food and shelter for area wildlife; a milepost section; and tips on safety and wildlife viewing.

Download the low-res PDF (PDF 5,529 kB) 156 pages, spiral bound
Out of print

Alaska's South Coastal Wildlife Viewing Guide

Alaska's South Coastal Wildlife Viewing Guide explores the northern Alaska Marine Highway System ferry routes from Cordova to Dutch Harbor/Unalaska. Aching to see auklets? Bursting to find brown bears? The guide describes where and when to look for the region's spectacular wildlife both from the ferry and around six Featured Stopover communities. The guide also includes habitat descriptions from tidepools to tundra, and helpful wildlife viewing and safety tips. 112 pages, spiral bound
Contact ADF&G for a complimentary copy riley.woodford@alaska.gov

Alaska's Inside Passage Wildlife Viewing Guide

Alaska's Inside Passage Wildlife Viewing Guide follows a unique trail - the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry routes and other Southeast Alaska waterways. Route narratives from Ketchikan to Skagway describe prime viewing areas along the way and what wildlife you may spot on your journey. The guide includes habitat descriptions from alpine to ocean and animal and bird profiles from killer whales to kittiwakes so you know where to look for wildlife. 82 pages
Contact ADF&G for a complimentary copy

Alaska's Kenai Peninsula Wildlife Viewing Trail Guide

Alaska's Kenai Peninsula Wildlife Viewing Trail Guide showcases 65 wildlife viewing sites on the Kenai. What time of year do owls start hooting? When are the caribou hanging around? This guide offers a calendar of wildlife activity, in-depth information on what birds and animals you might find at each site, bear safety tips, habitat descriptions, a bird checklist, and cultural tidbits. It also provides directions to each site and lists what amenities are available. ADF&G does not handle sales of this guide, see contact information below.

Download the PDF (PDF 6,844 kB) 120 pages
Retail price $8.95. To buy a copy, call the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, 907-262-9814

The Fairbanks Area Wildlife Viewing Guide

The Fairbanks Area Wildlife Viewing Guide details wildlife viewing opportunities in the immediate vicinity of Fairbanks and within a few hours' drive. Road-accessible areas are featured, and the most accessible float trips and trails are highlighted. Maps, photographs, tracks and tips make this guide an excellent companion for locals and visitors to Alaska's Interior. 32 pages
Retail price $5.95

Anchorage Wildlife Viewing Hot Spots

Anchorage Wildlife Viewing Hot Spots is a 52-page color guide that highlights areas in and near Alaska's largest city. Learn where you have the best chance of seeing magnificent moose or how to find a red fox family right in town. 52 pages
Out of print

Common Marine Birds of Southeast Alaska

This small booklet is a marine bird identification guide for boaters and beachcombers in Southeast. It features illustrations and ID tips for 20 birds most commonly seen on the water. Contact ADF&G for a complimentary copy.

Download the PDF (PDF 1,608 kB) 25 pages

The Alaska Wildlife Viewing Guide

The Alaska Wildlife Viewing Guide is currently out of print, but information for some of the sites is available online at this link. Check out the regional guides for the best local sites to find Alaska's amazing wildlife. 82 pages
(Out of print)