Park Hours (Today)
All Day
Northwest Arctic Heritage Center: Closed
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Plan your Noatak trip
About the Park
As one of North America's largest mountain-ringed river basins with an intact ecosystem, the Noatak River environs feature some of the Arctic's finest arrays of plants and animals. The river is classified as a National Wild and Scenic River. It offers stunning wilderness float-trip opportunities - from deep in the Brooks Range to the tidewater of the Chukchi Sea.
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What to See & Do
Fishing the Noatak
Fishing in the Noatak National Preserve is a dream trip for many enthusiasts.
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.
Float the Noatak
A float trip by canoe on the Noatak River
Self-Guided Tours
Medicinal Garden Tour
Explore the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center's medicinal garden and learn about local plant life, their medicinal uses, and more!
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
Noatak National Preserve is a very remote area. There are no roads that provide access. Commercial airlines provide service from Anchorage to Kotzebue or Fairbanks to Bettles. Once in Kotzebue or Bettles, you must fly to the preserve with various air taxi operators. There are scheduled flights to villages and chartered flights to remote park areas. Summer access may include motorized/non-motorized watercraft, aircraft, or by foot.
Park Amenities
Permits & Reservations
Permits may be required
Some activities in Noatak National Preserve — including backcountry camping, certain trails, and climbing routes — require advance permits. Check the official NPS website for current requirements before your visit.
Operating Hours
Noatak National Preserve
Public access to Noatak National Preserve is open year-round, 24-hours a day.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Photos
green northern lights
Light and shadows on mountains
mountain refection on calm lake
Three multicolored packrafts on the gravel shore of the Kelly river
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
1 day
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Planning Noatak
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.