Kobuk Valley National Park

Kobuk Valley National Park is a U.S. national park in northwestern Alaska, designated in 1980 and known for the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes and large caribou migrations through its river valleys.

The park protects roughly 1.75 million acres of tundra, river corridors and dune fields, including an extensive active dune system and the braided Kobuk River. Visitors come for river travel, backpacking across tundra, viewing migrating caribou herds and seeing the dune landscapes.

The area has long been used by Indigenous peoples for hunting and fishing; federal protection under ANILCA in 1980 aimed to preserve both natural systems and subsistence uses. The park remains largely roadless and is managed to allow traditional uses to continue.

Kobuk Valley lies in northwest Alaska inland from the Chukchi Sea and the Kotzebue Sound region, in the foothills and lowlands north of the Brooks Range. The nearest regional hub is Kotzebue, and access is typically by small aircraft or riverboat.

• Size: The park covers roughly 1.75 million acres, protecting tundra, river valleys and dune fields in a largely roadless landscape.
• Wildlife and seasonality: Important seasonal wildlife events include large caribou migrations and concentrated waterfowl nesting in summer; most visitation occurs in July and August.

What to See#

• Great Kobuk Sand Dunes: The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes - an extensive field of active sand dunes along the Kobuk River that are among the largest dune systems in the Arctic.
• Kobuk River corridor: The Kobuk River corridor - a braided river system that bisects the park and supports fish, waterfowl and is used for river travel.

Kobuk Valley is remote and accessed primarily by air (charter flights) from Kotzebue or other regional hubs. River routes can be used in summer by experienced parties-advance coordination with NPS and local providers is essential.

• Kobuk Valley is known for its sand dunes and caribou migrations-plan well in advance for guided trips and floatplane access.
• Summer is the practical window for visits; weather and river conditions dictate travel plans and safety.