Cape Krusenstern National Monument and Archeological District
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Approximately 70 miles north of the Arctic Circle, the Cape Krusenstern National Monument and Archeological District is a magical area for many reasons. The area contains more than 114 beach ridges that have been important to the Iñupiat heritage for at least 5,000 years. Sustenance living, especially the hunting of large marine animals, is still the norm. Trucks regularly haul lead and zinc from mines near Kotzebue, Alaska, across this monument's northern part. Additionally, many birds come to these waters from as far away as South America to lay their eggs and raise their young. Only the brave person who prepares well for a journey to this isolated spot should attempt to visit this location about 550 miles northwest of Nome, where the sun almost does not set in the summer and darkness persists for days during the winter months.
Things To Do Near Cape Krusenstern National Monument and Archeological District
Most people who choose to come to Cape Krusenstern National Monument and Archeological District arrange to do so on a flightseeing expedition from Kotzebue or Bettles. It can be challenging to reach this remote location. If you choose to land, you can see up to 150 bird species at the crossroads of the Asiatic-North American flyways. Others choose to spend time backpacking at this location where there are no roads or specialized maps. A great way to learn more about the area before you arrive is to stop at the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center in Kotzebue.
Hiking Trails
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Great Kobuk Valley Sand Dunes
You will need to start your Great Kobuk Valley Sand Dunes adventure by floating down the Kobuk River. Then, make a trail through the forest to the Great Kobuk Valley Sand Dunes. Choose to hike this location in the summer, and 100-degree weather may greet you, so be sure to dress accordingly for this hike that takes about four hours. In the fall, you are likely to see the caribou migration.
Location
Kobuk River, Kobuk Valley National Park, Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
Length
4 miles
Intensity
Difficult
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Onion Portage
The Kobuk River makes a broad curve in Kobuk Valley National Park to form the Onion Portage. You can take a floatplane to land on the river and make your own trails along it. A great time to take this hike is during the biannual caribou migration. This will give you the opportunity to watch the animals move from their calving and summering grounds on the tundra near the Arctic Ocean to their wintering grounds in the boreal forest in the Brooks Range. In the fall, native hunters use this location for hunting caribou as they cross the river.
Location
Kobuk River, Kobuk Valley National Park, Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
Length
Varies
Intensity
Moderate to Strenuous
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Savage River Trail Loop
Start this hike at the Savage River Check Station at Denali National Park by riding the free park shuttle. Follow the Savage River for about one mile until you come to a bridge across it. The marked trail rises on cliffs above the river in some spots, so be sure to watch your footing. After the bridge, the path returns to its starting point on the other side of the river.
Location
Savage River Check Station, Denali National Park, Park Road, Healy, Alaska 99743
Length
1.7 miles
Intensity
Moderate
Sightseeing
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Noatak National Preserve
The Noatak National Preserve protects the last complete river system in the United States not altered by human activity. This preserve covers 5,765,427 acres. Hunting and float trips are popular activities within this preserve.
Location
Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
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Bering Land Bridge National Preserve
The Bering Land Bridge National Preserve protects the area above sea level where the first people may have traveled from Asia to the Americas. This can be a great place to see grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and wolves on hikes, and you can often see a variety of seasonal and resident birds. The coastline at this location is a fantastic place for walrus and seal watching. One of the most visited areas of this preserve is Serpentine Hot Springs, where you can see the steam rising off the hot water and take a bath in the bathhouse.
Location
Shishmaref, Alaska, 99772
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Kobuk Valley National Park
Kobuk Valley National Park covers more than 1,750,716 acres, but there are no roads or trails, so you must make your way through the wilderness. The park was established to protect the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, Little Kobuk Sand Dunes, and the Hunt River Dunes that you can visit by flying over them or landing on the Kobuk River and hiking on them. The Inupiat people use this park for hunting.
Location
Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
Museums
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Northwest Arctic Heritage Center
The Northwest Arctic Heritage Center is a great place to learn about the tundra's ecosystem. This museum serves as the headquarters to Kobuk Valley National Park, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Noatak National Preserve, Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, and Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. Rangers frequently give programs on a variety of topics.
Location
171 Third Avenue, Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
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University of Alaska Museum of the North
The University of Alaska Museum of the North collection numbers more than 2.5 million objects. See a 36,000-year-old mummified Alaska steppe bison, learn about the lives of Alaskan Japanese Americans and the Aleuts during World War II, and gaze at Alaska's largest public display of gold.
Location
1962 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775
Nearby Shops and Restaurants
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Sulianich Art Center
Find art made by people living throughout Alaska at the Sulianich Art Center. Find jewelry, baskets, paintings, and other types of artwork at this location. Many times, you can meet the artists creating the masterpieces.
Location
205 3rd Avenue, Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
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Artic Proshop
Artic Proshop rents a variety of outdoor equipment, so you will want to check with them about your supplies. They also sell guns. These experts can even help you connect with local guides for your hiking, fishing, or other big adventures.
Location
451 Seventh Avenue, Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
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Little Louie's
Get your favorite pizza at Little Louie's or opt for one of their unique Alaskan options, like reindeer sausage pizza. They also offer great sweets and espresso.
Location
388 Third Avenue, Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
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Bayside Restaurant
Start your day with a hearty breakfast of eggs and your favorite breakfast meat at Bayside Restaurant. Come back later for sushi and Chinese entrees. They also make outstanding hamburgers and delicious steak dinners.
Location
303 Shore Avenue, Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
How To Get To Cape Krusenstern National Monument and Archeological District
Getting to Cape Krusenstern National Monument and Archeological District is usually done by hiring a plane from Kotzebue, Alaska, to fly you to the site. You can find connections to Kotzebue's Ralph Wein Memorial Airport from Nome, Anchorage, or Fairbanks. Then, arrange with a local pilot to fly you to the park, where there are no roads. The best time to go to Cape Krusenstern National Monument and Archeological District is in the summer because of the weather.
Address
Ralph Wein Memorial Airport, 100 Airport Access Road, Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
Fee: Entry fee $0
Visiting the tundra at Cape Krusenstern National Monument and Archeological District can be an excellent adventure for prepared people. The only way to reach this monument is by plane as there are no roads, except for private ones used by the local mining companies. If you want to learn more before going to Cape Krusenstern National Monument and Archeological District, stop at the park's headquarters in Kotzebue, where you can visit with park rangers and participate in their talks. While you can't take an RV to Cape Krusenstern, these vehicles still provide one of the best ways to explore other areas Alaska. If you don't own an RV, rent one on RVshare.
