document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Us too! During the spring and fall, the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes are marked with their hoof prints. Kobuk Valley National Park | national park, Alaska, United States Visitors can camp on the tundra, except on archaeological areas and on private property. Apart from all the other things Alaska offers its people, this national park is home to beautiful dunes and amazing scenery. The best backcountry hiking can be found in the mountains, with expansive views and more solid footing than the spongy lowland tundra. The first U.S. Census of the region was conducted in 1900. As a matter of fact, Kobuk Valley is an extremely remote area of northwestern Alaska. Generally, sheefish are more plentiful in the fall while grayling and pike are available year-round. Anglers are required to have a fishing license and follow Alaska state fishing regulations. Twice a year, however, the caribou arrive, pouring across the tundra and down the steep slopes before plunging into the Kobuk River on their biannual migration across the Brooks Range. . Backcountry camping is permitted. It is also home to different species of animals and Arctic culture. Travel Alaska is a registered trademark of Alaska Travel Industry Association. Marketing by LeapUp. The team of archeologists found evidence of coastal people who primarily hunted whales and seals on the Arctic Ocean as well as nomadic hunters who lived among the trees and tundra of Alaskas interior. Since the park is above the Arctic Circle, the sun does not set from June 3 to July 9, and the sun is visible for only .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);clip-path:polygon(0px 0px,0px 0px,0px 0px);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}1+12 hours on the winter solstice, with long periods of twilight on either side of sunrise and sunset. As a retired history teacher and lifelong history buff, I am fascinated by stories which deal with the earliest peoples to inhabit these special places. As is the case over all of northern Alaska, the aurora borealis is often visible on winter nights when solar activity is high. The park is also popular with hunters, who come to hunt caribou, moose, and other game. First aid is not available in the Park but is available in the villages of Ambler and Kiana. . They have done a bit of research and are finding prices like a 7-day backpacking trip in Gates of the Arctic and Kobuk Valley to be over $6,000 or day trips to Katmai for $700 and are experiencing a bit of sticker shock and wondering if those prices are real. How much does it cost to visit the Alaska National Parks? Kobuk Valley National Park in northwestern Alaska is the site of the historic Onion Portage. Its common to see tracks and other signs of their passage in the sand along the edges of the dunes. They can be reached by bush plane from Bettles, AK in the east or Kotzebue, AK from the west. It is over 75 miles (121km) by river to the Chukchi Sea. Kobuk Valley National Park | ALASKA.ORG Anchorage, Alaska 99501. #alaska #publiclands #aknpsphoto #gatesofthearctic #skiing @alaskanps @shwakmagazine, Check out these ice wedges revealed by the eroding coastline. Nice work, boys. General access is via scheduled air service from Fairbanks or Anchorage to Kotzebue and then air taxi from Kotzebue to nearby villages. The state of Alaska claims about 9,500 acres (mostly submerged lands), with the rest divided among several Native Alaskan interests, including NANA Regional Corporation, Ambler Village Corporation and Kiana Corporation. Kobuk National Park is about 26 miles (64.75 square kilometers) north of the Arctic Circle. It is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including caribou, wolves, bears, and many species of birds. The Akunirmiut and Kuuvaum Kangianirmiut cultures from the post-Columbian period eventually settled the valley. Kobuk Valley National Park Tours & Vacations | Arctic Alaska Accessing the Dunes is easiest from Kotzebue. The Great Kobuk, Little Kobuk and Hunt River Sand Dunes offer a desert environment perfect for hiking, camping, even fat biking. Which one is right for you? The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes comprise the largest active Arctic dune field in North America. Acreage: Kobuk Valley National Park covers 1.75 million acres of boreal forest and mountains in northwestern Alaska and includes the Great Kobuk Sand Dunesthe largest active, high-latitude, dune field on Earth. . Kobuk Valley National Park Tours | ALASKA.ORG Kobuk Valley National Park is a 1.7 million acre (2736 miles) national park in Arctic Alaska. If youre planning a visit then our next Kobuk Valley National Park Fact is one that you should pay particular attention to as youll definitely want to see this important landmark. Oolyak, interviewed by Giddings, was one of the last Kobuk Inupiat to reach adulthood prior to sustained Euroamerican contact. Giddings most significant discovery came in the early 1960s at Onion Portage on the Kobuk River, where evidence of humans dates back 12,000 years. #roadtripusa The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. In the 19th century, two Inupiat societies, the Akunirmiut and the Kuuvaum Kangianirmiut, occupied the area now included in the park. To show their respect, after harvesting the meat, the Inupiat return the whales carcass into the sea so that its spirit can tell other whales how well the Inupiat treat their kind. The earliest ancestors of the modern Inupiat People, who still live in the Kobuk River Valley, hunted at Onion Portage, and other groups only visited the site briefly before moving on. "Kobuk" is anInupiaqword meaning "big river.". In the case of Giddings, by collecting wood cores from trees along the Kobuk River, it allowed archeologists to date when people first arrived in North America and the development of the local Inupiaq culture. Kobuk Valley National Park, AK, US iNaturalist For Alaska's day-to-day weather, its best to plan for a bit of everything. Any of the dunes will do, but the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes are the largest (25 square miles) and offer multiple good camping locations adjacent to water sources on the edge of the sand. Some Amazing Wildlife Live On The Dunes, 5. Whaling is an ancient tradition that is not only significant for the food it provides, but also for its spiritual meaning. Kobuk Valley National Park is an excellent place for aurora-viewing in the winter and is a popular spot for activities such as snowmobiling ("snowmachining" to locals), skiing and dog mushing should only be attempted by people with the appropriate equipment and well-tested Arctic survival skills. There are several trails that lead through the park, including the Kobuk Valley Overland Trail, which offers a challenging backcountry route through the parks wilderness. What To Do In Kobuk Valley National Park - Horizon Guides Thousands of caribou migrate through, their tracks crisscrossing sculpted dunes. In addition to its natural beauty and abundant wildlife, Kobuk Valley National Park also has a rich cultural history. Caribou, sand dunes, the Kobuk River, Onion Portage - just some of the facets of Kobuk Valley National Park. I don't blame them. KOBUK VALLEY NATIONAL PARK - 36 Photos - Yelp The Western Arctic caribou herd, one of the the largest in Alaska at about 200,000 animals, travels through the park during its migration from its calving grounds on the northern slopes of theBrooks Rangeto its winter grounds south of the range. During the presidency of Jimmy Carter, Americas most trusted newsman was legendary CBS News Anchor, Walter Cronkite. The Baird and Waring Mountain Ranges surround the park, forming a sort of semi-circle-shaped bowl in which the park sits. Credit - National Park Service Kobuk Valley National Park Contents [ hide] Kobuk Valley National Park It is approximately 280 miles (451 km) long. If you head to the dunes, remember your head net and your water filter. Located in the remote northwest region of Alaska, Kobuk Valley National Park is a 1.7-million-acre park protecting several unique features of Alaska's Arctic. Also included: a two-day, Lifelong resident of the Arctic, Seth Kantner is a writer, wildlife photographer, and commercial fisherman. The park is popular with hikers and backpackers, who come to experience the parks rugged beauty and abundant wildlife. At its northern limit, the boreal forest is open woodland with small trees in a layer of thick tundra. Older, vegetated dunes cover much of the southern portion of the valley. 7/9/2023 One of the hard to get to National parks. . While I taught history, I was also fascinated by geology. Kobuk Valley National Park is named after the Kobuk River valley, which runs through its center. Kobuk Valley National Park is perfect for primitive backcountry experiences, as there are no amenities in the park. The Inupiat show great respect for the land and sea, since the creatures of the earth give themselves to the people, who in turn share with family and friends, shaping relationships that celebrate life. (Helga Eakon). How to Best Explore Kobuk Valley National Park in Alaska The Kobuk River is a magnificent river rich with wildlife and broad vistas. Kobuk Valley National Park in northwestern Alaska is the site of the historic Onion Portage. #ThrowBackThursday #Alaska #Inuit, Simple skies and distant mountains. Caribou migrations are one of the wonders of the subarctic and arctic realms. The Onion Portage site, on the Kobuk River in the eastern side of the park, is one of the most important archeological sites in arctic America. During Bat Week, Oct. 24-31, we aim to protect bat habitat by identifying harmful invasive plant species. There are no roads into the park, which is only accessible by plane, boat, or snowmobile. Visitation: In previous years Kobuk Valley has ranked as the least visited national park in America but such was not the case for 2021. The only sound is the wind rustling in the birch trees that line the steep banks and the occasional commotion from a flock of ducks landing on the river or a bear splashing into the water in search of a salmon. The major economic species are caribou, moose, and fish species such as salmon and sheefish. Alaska National Park Tours | Golden Eagle Outfitters Alaska seasons and regulations apply. #gatesofthearctic #kobukvalley #nationalparkgeek #articcircle #alaskanationalparks #bushplane #greatkobuksanddunes #tundratires #kotzebue #usnationalparks #nationalparksusa #alaskanadventures And now Im sharing some of the incredible stories about these beautiful places with you. For information about the park, visit the National Park Service website for Kobuk Valley National Park: nps.gov/kova Follow the tracks of nearly a half-million caribou who migrate through the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes twice a year. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. The Hunt and Little Kobuk rivers are also in the park. Kobuk Valley National Park is home to the famousOnion Portagearchaeological site, a National Historic Landmark and the cradle of the Arctic Woodland Culture defined by pioneering archaeologist J. Louis Giddings. 8 AMAZING Alaska National Parks Helpful Guide For Visiting, 11 AMAZING Facts About Acadia National Park, 14 AMAZING Facts About Biscayne National Park, 14 AMAZING Facts About Canyonlands National Park, 10 FASCINATING Facts About Denali National Park, 12 AMAZING Facts About Dry Tortugas National Park, 15 AMAZING Facts About Grand Teton National Park, 10 FASCINATING Facts About Great Basin National Park, 25 Bucket List Famous Landmarks In America (MUST-SEE), Jimmy Carter Was The GREATEST Conservation President, Alaska Lands National Interest Conservation Act, 13 Reasons Why Jimmy Carter Is Americas Greenest President, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAZiIc4j-Ps&t=2s, The BEST National Park in America (2021) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAZiIc4j-Ps&t=2s), 8 Amazing Alaska National Parks (Tips for Visiting), 11 Amazing Glacier Bay National Park Facts, 10 Fascinating Facts About Denali National Park, All 63 Best US National Parks Ranked from Best to Worst, Official List of US National Parks (Alphabetical & by State), Visiting 8 EPIC ALASKA National Parks (How to Actually Get There), 15 AMAZING Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park (Helpful Guide+ Photos), 11 BEST National Parks Near San Francisco to Visit (Expert Guide), Kobuk Valley National Park Has Been Home To Humans For As Long As There Have Been People On This Continent, An Arctic Archaeologist Unlocked Our Knowledge Of Northwest Alaska, The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes Are The Largest Active, High-Latitude, Dune Field On Earth, The Onion Portage Is One Of The Most Important Landmarks In The Park, Kubak Valley Is One Of Only Two National Parks That Is North Of The Arctic Circle, Kobuk Valley Is A Great Place To Go Fishing, No Amphibians Or Reptiles Can Be Found In Kobuk Valley, The Sun Does Not Set Between June 3rd & July 9th, The Park Was Designated By Jimmy Carter As Part Of The Largest Single Act Of Conservation In U.S. History. [13], According to the Kppen climate classification system, Kobuk Valley National Park has a Subarctic climate (Dfc) with cool summers and year around precipitation. Studies of these layers have provided valuable information on the progression of the arctic communities living in the Kobuk Valley. This 600-mile journey is one of the last great animal migrations left in the world. What we learned: big goals make rough circumstances so much easier, more purpose-filled and more fun. Black bears, brown bears, beavers, river otters, Canadian lynxes, and Dall sheep exist in the park as well. No trails in either park though the south side of Walker Lake is a decent area to explore (people tend to camp there and float planes can come to shore there. The slow-moving Kobuk River offers extraordinary wilderness float trip opportunities through scenic boreal forests teeming with wildlife. According to the Dictionary of Alaska Placenames (by Donald J. Orth . Kobuk Valley . If you plan on rafting, those trips often begin from the small community of Bettles. Whats so fascinating is that there have been humans in the area which is today Kobuk Valley National Park for as long as there have been people on the North American continent. Getting into the park requires multiple flights, a guide (to do it safely), and thousands of dollars. The Onion Portage has preserved over 10,000 years of human activity, providing valuable archeological resources to help us understand the history and culture of Alaskas aboriginal peoples. Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. RELATED: Jimmy Carter Was The GREATEST Conservation President. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. Most rafters put in at Walker Lake in Gates of the Arctic National Park. It would be a shame to pass so close to the dunes and not get out of the boat and see them, but be prepared for truly unpleasant hiking to get from the river to the dunes that short distance is a brushy, swampy mess. According to the Subsistence Advisory Council, Subsistence is the very blueprint within our souls that describes who we are as a people, and how we depend on our brothers and sisters of earth, air and water. From a very young age, the Inupiat learn the ways of a subsistence lifestyle. The region was apparently deserted for about 2,000 years until people of the Archaic tradition appeared in the valley from the south and east. Only slow moving creeks enter the Kobuk from the south. Kobuk Valley National Park, a unit of the National Park System, is located in a remote area in Kotzebue, AK. Located in the remote northwest region of Alaska, Kobuk Valley National Park is a 1.7-million-acre park protecting several unique features of Alaskas Arctic. Kobuk Valley National Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go About Things to Do If you are looking for a unique and remote landscape in Alaska, Kobuk Valley National Park fulfills both requirements. Park Size: 1,750,716 acres (2,735 sq miles) (7,084 sq km) Location: Northwest Arctic Borough. Swipe left for photos of the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, and be sure to let us know if you have any questions! Cultural Resources of Kobuk Valley National Park. The nearest hospital is Kotzebue. The sun does not set between June 3rd and July 9th. The slow-moving Kobuk River offers adventure seekers extraordinary wilderness float trip opportunities through scenic boreal forests. Gross Area Acres 1,750,736.86. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. When a tree is freshly cut, its growth rings can be matched to an exact year on the modern calendar. For 9000 years, people came to Onion Portage to harvest . It was first declared a national monument by President Jimmy Carter on December 1, 1978 using his authority under the Antiquities Act when Congressional negotiations on the proposed ANILCA bill were stalled. These are the largest active sand dunes found in theArctic. The Salmon River in Kobuk Valley National Park is a designated National Wild and Scenic River. Here, for thousands of years, Native Alaskans have come to hunt the caribou whose footprints continue to paint the landscape of the Kobuk Sand Dunes. Summer temperatures average around 65F (18C), and can reach 85F (29C). CHECK OUT: 10 FASCINATING Facts About Great Basin National Park. Their descendants, the Inupiat, still live in the Kobuk Valley where they hunt the caribou and otherwise continue to practice a subsistence life style. After the historic passage of one of Carters most important environmental actions, called the Alaska Lands National Interest Conservation Act (ANILCA), Cronkite had this to say: President Carter today more than doubled the size of the National Park System by invoking his executive authority to protect 56 millions acres of Alaskan Wilderness. It has more than 70 distinct stratified cultural layers that document a progression of human camps spanning about 12,500 years. In the winter, access to the park is by plane, snowmobile, or dogsled. Thousands of caribou migrate through, their tracks crisscrossing sculpted dunes. Proclaimed a national monument in 1978, it . If I had to select which of the Kobuk Valley National Park Facts were my favorite it would be this one. Kobuk Valley National Park | National Park Foundation Planning a Visit? CHECK OUT: 15 AMAZING Facts About Grand Teton National Park. CHECK OUT: 16+ FASCINATING Grand Canyon Facts. The Kobuk River ( Kuuvak in Iupiaq) (also Kooak, Kowak, Kubuk, Kuvuk, or Putnam ) [2] is a river located in the Arctic region of northwestern Alaska in the United States. The herd migrates annually between their winter breeding grounds, south of the Waring Mountains, and their summer calving grounds, north of the Baird Mountains. Most dramatically, the mighty Western Arctic Caribou Herd passes through Kobuk Valley twice a year on their annual migration to and from their calving grounds north of the Brooks Range. The dunes, accessible by a strenuous hour-long hike along Kavet Creek from the Kobuk River, lie 40 miles above the Arctic Circle, yet summer temperatures can soar to 100 degrees. The 25-square-mileGreat Kobuk Sand Dunes, Little Kobuk Sand Dunes near Onion Portage, and the Hunt River Dunes cover much of the southern Kobuk Valley. > Visit Kobuk Valley National Park, a Sea of Dunes in Northern Alaska May 31, 2022 / Andrea Cuminatto North of the Arctic Circle, in one of America's least accessible areas, there lies a small sand desert surrounded by tundra. Kobuk Valley National Park The Greatest American Road Trip Beautiful scenery and plenty of moments to consider whether or not this sort of thing is for me (it is, but I had my moments of doubt). Kobuk Valley and Gates of the Arctic National Park Trip No part of the park is designated as a national preserve, which would allow sport hunting. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. Collapsible kayaks, collapsiblecanoes, and packrafts are recommended for the river's slow-moving waters. it was, in all likelihood, the most isolated wilderness I would ever see. Kobuk Valley National Park has no campgrounds. Buoyed by air trapped in their fur, the dead animals then float downstream and wash ashore at Onion Portages gravel beach. Hes a columnist for Orion and the Anchorage Daily News, and is the author of the. Unlike many Park Service units in Alaska, Kobuk Valley is entirely national park land, with only subsistence hunting by local residents permitted. More Than Just Parks | National Parks Guides, Article Summary: Kobuk Valley National Park Facts. These plants stabilize the sand and pave the way for a succession of mosses, algae, lichen, shrubs, and eventually aspen, birch, and spruce trees to take root. Kobuk Valley National Park is a 1.7-million-acre park inArcticAlaska that occupies a broad valley where the middle section of the Kobuk River is encircled by the Baird and Waring Mountain ranges. The Pah, Black and Pick rivers are known to be good spots for sheefish. For just as long, humans have been gathering there to hunt them. Other services include a gift shop, a multipurpose conference room, and an exhibit hall that highlights the natural and cultural history of Alaskas northwestern peoples. There is no admission fee. Summer temperatures are usually in the mid 60s F, with 70s to 80 for highs. Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. To get there, one must first fly (1 hour 45 minutes from Anchorage) to the extremely isolated town of Kotzebue. Weve worked with the National Park Service, the Department of Interior, USDA, and the U.S. Forest Service for years creating films on important places and issues. Over time, vegetation has reclaimed all but 16,000 acres of the sand dunes, and continues to slowly encroach on the remaining dunes. The Inupiat rely on the wild creatures and plant life of the valley and on the marine mammals off of Alaskas coast. Boaters can access Salmon River by packing their boats from high mountain airstrips to the river's headwaters. Whether you are dogsledding, snowshoeing or just scanning the skies for the northern lights, you will still be able to relax . If youre planning to visit then you should know that one of Kobuk Valley National Parks most iconic sights is the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. For more information, visit theKobuk Valley National Park website. 2-5 day small ship explorations. New people arrived by about 1200 AD, as documented by the Ahteut site 25 miles (40km) downriver from Onion Portage. That act and the man responsible for it is a fitting way to conclude our list of surprising facts. The only time I broke a significant amount of trail was on the Ambler River on the second-half of the last day of the trip. Copyright © 2023 More Than Just Parks | This post may contain affiliate links - read our Standards, Corrections, & Privacy Policy. Kobuk Valley National Park is enclosed by the Baird and Waring mountains. Boaters can take out at the villages of Kobuk, Shugnak or Ambler, or they can continue downriver into the National Park, past the historic site, Onion Portage, and the sand dunes. Be prepared to bring your own food and supplies like travel first aid kits. Kobuk valley provides important fall and winter range for the western arctic caribou herd. Fly from Fairbanks along the Yukon River to the foothills of Alaska's Brooks Range. If you want to view the northern lights, this family owned lodge offers a remote and exclusive experience north of the Arctic Circle. The Onion Portage Is One Of The Most Important Landmarks In The Park, 6. #igswildlife #animals #wildlifebiologist #wildlife_captures #wildlifetattoo #animal #wildlife_perfection #africanamazing #wildlifeofindia #wildlifefreak #wildlifeowners #wildlifesanctuary #ic_animals #safari #wildlife_supreme #ig_africa #wildlife #wildlifesafari #wildlife_aroundworld, This time last year we had just finished the greatest adventure of our lives (so far! [5] The most visible animals are the 400,000 caribou of the Western Arctic herd. #Wildlife #Nature #RedFox #Kotzebue #Alaska The caribou are followed by hunters. If landing on the Kobuk River be . John McPhee, 'Coming into the Country' 6 Wonders in Kobuk Valley: America's Least Visited National Park Click here to see what we offer for our younger visitors! There are also airport at Kotzebue and Nome, AK. These include 61 Native allotments, and 94 acres of cemetery and historical sites. Rushing clearwater tributaries to the Kobuk have their headwaters in the Baird Mountains. Alaska: Kobuk Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Learn about all the ways to explore Kobuk Valley National Park. At the end of this adventure, we felt that we had truly had an authentic Alaskan experience! Salmon River (Alaska) A Guide to Alaska's Kobuk Valley National Park It's located in a large valley around the middle area where the Kobuk River flows. Some Basic Facts About Kobuk Valley National Park, 1. The Kobuk River, one of the major rivers in Alaska, flows through the heart of the valley.
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