Kobuk Valley National Park

Experience an outdoor adventure unlike any other at this National Park in Alaska.

Caribou, sand dunes, the Kobuk River, and Onion Portage are all part of Kobuk Valley National Park. Half a million caribou migrate through the region, as evidenced by their tracks across the sculpted dunes. The Kobuk River is an ancient path for both people and wildlife. For 9,000 years, people came to Onion Portage to harvest caribou as they swam the river. That rich tradition continues to this day. Kobuk Valley encompasses 61 miles of the Kobuk River plus three regions of sand dunes. The Great Kobuk, the Little Kobuk, and the Hunt River Sand Dunes often reach 100 feet high with temperatures up to 100 °F (38 °C). These are the largest dunes in the arctic and are a sight to behold.

Kobuk Valley National Park is open year-round, and the visitor center is inside the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center in the Kotzebue village. Please note that the winter often starts in mid-October, and the first signs of spring don't come until April in this region. The hottest time of year lasts from early June to mid-August, but the average temperature is usually 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Come prepared for any weather conditions no matter when you visit.