There are no maintained trails here, just a few game trails and miners' paths, and scant facilities. Self-sufficiency in all respects must be your guiding rule for wilderness travel here. The Yukon River is the major artery through the preserve and the principal means of travel in the region. The river is broad and flat with no rapids, making it an ideal destination for a variety of watercraft. The journey from Eagle to Circle is 158 miles long, a five-day journey for most paddlers.
Quiet visitors are likely to catch glimpses of moose, black bear, and fox along the banks.
Paddlers will also encounter some historic ghost towns, remnants of the region's mining days. For a more rugged paddling experience, the Charley is a steep, spectacular plunge from 4,000 feet at its source to 700 feet above sea level, where it empties into the Yukon 100 miles downriver. The entire Charley River watershed is protected within the boundaries of the Yukon-Charley, offering a rare glimpse into a truly pristine ecosystem. Howl with the Wolves Recent studies suggest that anywhere from 42 to 86 wolves roam within the boundaries of the Yukon-Charley. The large populations of caribou and moose with which they share the preserve are their primary large prey, along with the occasional Dall sheep captured at higher altitudes.