Visit Alaska’s Kobuk Valley National Park
We are going to discover one of the wonders of Alaska, in the United States. Kobuk Valley National Park has been a national monument since 1978 and one of the largest parks in the state and the entire country. Would you like to know more about him? We will tell you!
Kobuk Valley, one of Alaska’s parks
The Kobuk Valley National Park covers an area of almost 7,000 km² and is located in the heart of Alaska. It is located a few kilometers from the Arctic Circle, so its ecosystem is marked by the cold climate.
One of the protagonists of the landscape is the Kobuk River at its mouth in the Chukchi Sea. The walls of the valley have a very marked relief. In addition, it is surrounded by the Waring Mountains and the Baird Mountains to the north and south, respectively.
It is one of the places protected by its impeccable nature, since the landscapes have hardly been affected by the action of man. In fact, its ecosystem has been protected since December 1, 1978, when the United States government decided to name it a national monument to protect its fauna and flora.
As a curiosity, the Kobuk Valley park is not one of the most visited places within all the national parks in the United States. In fact, visits do not exceed one thousand per year in recent years.
What to do in Kobuk Valley?
Due to its geographical location, the climate of this park is fundamentally cold, although not always. In fact, if we were to think about what to do in the Kobuk Valley, we would possibly think of American movies that take place in the wild in the dead of winter.
This is because you can move around the Kobuk Valley on dog sleds or on foot, since the park offers these services. Along with sledding, it also offers boat trips, hiking trails, fishing, etc. Many travelers tend to camp overnight around the park due to its size.
How to get to the park?
Kobuk Valley is at the edge of the Alaska region, so there is a long journey ahead of you to get there. In addition, the journey to the heart of the park is the most peculiar, since it is a region that is not easy to reach and difficult to access where the landscape is in a natural state.
Therefore, the first thing you have to know is that the park does not have any access road. However, it can be accessed on foot, via sleds, snowmobiles or air taxis that depart from Nome and Kotzebue, the two cities closest to this natural space.
Kobuk Valley Visiting Tips
Encouraged to visit Kobuk Valley? The time you want to visit it will be key. Although the park is in one of the northernmost regions, temperatures vary considerably depending on the time of year. Winters are cold, but in summer the temperatures can be really warm.
That said, think about what clothes you want to wear: layered and waterproof clothing for winter or cool and breathable clothing for summer. Also, remember to bring a backpack with supplies, water and food if you are going to spend more than one day in the park.
Finally, plan your visit well, since the park is large and, above all, be careful with nature! Remember that first of all you are in a protected place, so it is forbidden to throw garbage, make fire or anything that could harm the species that live there.
Perhaps the remoteness of the Kobuk Valley Park makes it not a very visited space. However, it is undoubtedly one of the most unique natural places in North America. Ideal to get lost in nature, discover its boreal forests and the waters of the Kobuk River. Do you want to miss it?
