Andrew Simons Wilderness Area

Andrew Simons Wilderness Area spans over one million acres of federally protected backcountry in Alaska, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This is unroaded, primitive terrain where motorized travel and mechanized transport are prohibited—a true wilderness experience defined by solitude and self-reliance.

The area welcomes backpacking and hiking as primary ways to explore its remote landscape. Visitors should expect no developed trails, minimal infrastructure, and the physical and mental demands of traveling through undeveloped country. Leave No Trace principles are essential: pack out what you pack in, camp responsibly, and travel lightly on the land.

Access is challenging and typically requires air transport or water travel from nearby communities. The brief Alaska summer—roughly June through September—offers the most stable weather and longest daylight, though conditions remain variable and unpredictable. Winter travel is possible for experienced cold-weather and backcountry travelers, but daylight is extremely limited and temperatures severe. Plan thoroughly, bring proper gear, and be prepared for isolation and self-sufficiency.