Tinayguk River

Tinayguk River
Tinayguk River from Gray Mountain
Location of the mouth of the Tinayguk River in Alaska
Location
CountryUnited States
StateAlaska
Census AreaYukonKoyukuk
Physical characteristics
SourceBrooks Range
  locationEndicott Mountains
  coordinates67°57′04″N 151°00′34″W / 67.95111°N 151.00944°W / 67.95111; -151.00944
  elevation4,619 ft (1,408 m)
MouthNorth Fork Koyukuk River
  location
27 miles (43 km) northwest of Wiseman
  coordinates
67°34′08″N 151°02′30″W / 67.56889°N 151.04167°W / 67.56889; -151.04167
  elevation
1,161 ft (354 m)
Length44 mi (71 km)
TypeWild
DesignatedDecember 2, 1980

The Tinayguk River is a 44-mile (71 km) tributary of the North Fork Koyukuk River in the U.S. state of Alaska. Heading in the Endicott Mountains of the Brooks Range, the river flows generally west then south to meet the larger river about 80 miles (130 km) north of Bettles.

In 1980, the entire river was designated "wild" and added to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The designation means that the Tinayguk is unpolluted, free-flowing and generally inaccessible except by trail and that its watershed is essentially primitive.

The river's name means Moose in Inupiat. In 1930, forester Robert "Bob" Marshall recommended it as an alternative to West Fork, a local name that Marshall considered over-used.