Basic Information - Activities
Kobuk Valley National Park is encircled by the Baird and Waring mountain ranges. The park povides protection for several important geographic features, including the central portion of the Kobuk River, the 25-sqaure-mile Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, and the Little Kobuk and Hunt River dunes.
Sand created by the grinding action of ancient glaciers has been carried to the Kobuk Valley by both wind and water. Dunes now cover much of the southern portion of the Kobuk Valley, where they are naturally stabilized by vegetation. River bluffs, composed of sand and standing as high as 150 feet, hold permafrost ice wedges and the fossils of Ice Age mammals.
Operating Hours, Seasons
Information Center Use: daily, summer: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; "occasionally", winter: 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Parklands Use: Open all year long. Closed most Federal Holidays.
Getting There
PLANE - Commercial airlines provide service from Anchorage or Fairbanks to Nome and Kotzebue. From either location, visitors may fly with various air taxi operators. There are scheduled flights to villages and chartered flights to specific park areas. Summer access may include motorized/non-motorized watercraft, aircraft, or by foot. Winter access may include snowmobiles, aircraft or by foot.
Weather & Climate
Expect high winds throughout the year and short, mild, cool sunny summers. Experience 24 hours of daylight for one month and a long, severe, harsh, extremely cold winter with about one hour of daylight by December 1. The area recieves 10-12" precipitation annually. For back country hiking/camping, wear plenty of warm clothing, dress in layers, and use rain gear. Wear sturdy hiking boots and waders for wet terrain.
Accessibility
There are no trails or roads within the park.
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Backpacking
Boating
Camping
Cross Country Skiing
Dogmushing
Fishing
Hiking
Wildlife Viewing
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