Kobuk Valley National Park- Alaska
- The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, Little Kobuk Sand Dunes, and the Hunt River Dunes are the remains of the dune fields that covered the ground after the last ice age.
- This park is accessible by air taxi from Nome and Kotzebue. It is one of the least visited in the national park system.
- The Kobuk River winds along the Brooks Range. It is surrounded by mountains, wildlife, and stunning scenery. This area is open year around and is only accessible by plane and float trips, snow machines, and dog sleds.
- Kobuk Valley was proclaimed a national monument in 1978 and a national park in 1980. A national monument is a protected area that a president can declare without the approval of congress. Land areas are chosen for their historical or archeological significance. A national park is approved by congress.
- The national historic landmark on the Kobuk River is Onion Portage where you can step back in time and be a part of the centuries old seasonal caribou migration. People have gathered for centuries to harvest caribou. (Reindeer is a domesticated caribou)
- Activities in this area include hiking, wildlife viewing, kayak, backpacking camping, and dog sledding . The park is open year round. Most visitors arrive during June through September.
- In the summer the days never really gets dark; between late May and July there are some parts of Alaska where the sun never sets during that time of year. They usually have around 82 days of daylight. Winter nights usually lasts 65 days.
- It’s the perfect place and time to visit the Northern Lights and see the Aurora Borealis rippling across the sky.
Photo Credits:
Kobuk Valley National Park: Alaska National Park Service
Dredge: Kristen Kemmerling
Reindeer Herd: Kristen Kemmerlin
Native boy with husky puppy: Kristen Kemmerling
Beach with flowers: Michael DeYoung
Native girl: Kristen Kemmerling
Onion portage: Alaska National Park Service
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