kobuk-valley | AK | Find park

The setting sun casts shadows of black spruce on the dunes and colors the water of Ahnewetut Creek a deep blue.

The peaks of the Baird Mountains stretch far into the distance and are so remote that many of them have not been named.

Caribou migrate across the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, heading north in the summer and south in the fall. Some survive and some don't, which is a reality of life

A single caribou of the 240,000+ strong Western Arctic herd on its fall migration south across Kobuk Valley National Park.

Oxytropis kobukensis (Kobuk Locoweed) is a member of the pea family and adds a splash of pink to the sand dunes. The blossoms have that typical pea/ bean flower shape that many gardeners know.

Physical Address:

171 3rd Ave

Kotzebue, AK 99752

Mailing Address:

PO Box 1029

Kotzebue, AK 99752

contact-details

Phone Number: 9074423890 Voice
Phone Number: 9074428316 Fax

Email Address: wear_webmail@nps.gov
Description:

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance Passes

Caribou, sand dunes, the Kobuk River, Onion Portage - just some of the facets of Kobuk Valley National Park. Thousands of caribou migrate through, their tracks crisscrossing sculpted dunes. The Kobuk River is an ancient and current corridor for people and wildlife. For 9000 years, people came to Onion Portage to harvest caribou as they swam the river. Even today, that rich tradition continues.

park designation:National Park

Directions:

Kobuk Valley National Park is very remote. There are no roads to provide access, so planes take care of most transportation needs. Commercial airlines provide service from Anchorage to Kotzebue, or from Fairbanks to Bettles. Once in Kotzebue or Bettles, you must fly to the park with authorized air taxis.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

Kobuk Valley National Park

The Northwest Arctic Heritage Center is the visitor center for Kobuk Valley National Park. Since there are no roads in to Kobuk Valley, the visitor center is located in Kotzebue, AK. From Kotzebue, visitors will charter an air taxi to transport them into the actual national park which is open 24/7 every day of the year.

Weather Information:

Snow, rain, and freezing temperatures can occur any time of the year. Always travel with good quality rain gear and warm layers. Be especially careful to stay dry. Hypothermia can set in on a windy, wet day, even when it doesn't feel that cold.