Park Hours (Today)
All Day
Northwest Arctic Heritage Center: Closed
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Plan your Kobuk Valley trip
About the Park
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.
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What to See & Do
Visit the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes
The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes are the northern most sand dune complex in North America with an abundance of arctic wildlife.
Float the Kobuk River
Want a nice mild float on a wild river? The Kobuk River may be a great option for wilderness adventure and zen-like floating in Kobuk Valley National Park.
Visit the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center
Trying to figure out where to go and what to do in Northwest Alaska? The Northwest Arctic Heritage Center is a great place to meet rangers and acquire information on Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Kobuk Valley National Park, and Noatak National Preserve.
Visitor Centers
Northwest Arctic Heritage Center
Large, half-dome shaped, blue and grey building with just over 11,000 square feet of space. The museum space is just over 1,800 square feet and contains animal displays, soundscapes, tactile exhibits and more. The Heritage Center also contains a bookstore, restroom, art gallery, and sitting area. The Northwest Arctic Heritage Center serves as the visitor centers for the Western Arctic National Parklands: Kobuk Valley National Park, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, and Noatak National Preserve.
Getting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
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.
Park Amenities
Permits & Reservations
Permits may be required
Some activities in Kobuk Valley National Park — including backcountry camping, certain trails, and climbing routes — require advance permits. Check the official NPS website for current requirements before your visit.
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.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Photos
A green pack canoe sits on the bank of the Kobuk River. Clouds are mirrored on the water's surface.
aerial view of snow capped mountains
The Jade Mountains reflected in the Kobuk River
Caribou bone sitting in the sand
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Best Time
May-September
Trip Length
2-4 days
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Planning Kobuk Valley
These common questions go deeper into logistics and planning. For real-time updates on road closures and current conditions, always check the Alerts section above.