Photo: Western Arctic National Parklands, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Above the Arctic Circle, in a valley ringed by mountains, lies something you would never expect: rolling golden sand dunes, the largest active dune field in arctic North America. Kobuk Valley is one of the least visited parks in the country, with no roads, trails or facilities. Hundreds of thousands of caribou cross the Kobuk River here each fall, as they have for thousands of years. Getting here takes a small plane and real self-reliance, and few people ever do.
TRAILS
1 OF 5
Great Kobuk Sand Dunes by Air
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
Varies
Elevation gain
Varies
South of the Kobuk River — Small planes with tundra tires can land right on the sand, dropping you in the middle of an Arctic desert. Ridges of golden dunes roll off toward distant mountains, and you can wander in any direction or pitch a tent for the night. Look for caribou tracks and antlers scattered across the sand. Bring sun protection; the sand reflects heat and light.
⚠︎ Water-soaked sand near creeks can be unstable. Test the ground ahead with a pole.
Photo: NPS Photo by Neal Herbert, public domain, Wikimedia Commons
2 OF 5
Hike to the Dunes from the Kobuk River
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
4–6 mi
Elevation gain
Minimal
Kobuk River — If you are floating the Kobuk, you can walk to the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes from the riverbank. It is roughly two to three miles each way across tundra and through brush, with no trail, so plan on about four hours round trip. The moment you crest the first dune is worth every tussock. Carry a map and compass or GPS, and mark where you left your boat.
⚠︎ No marked route. Navigation skills required; bears and wet ground along the way.
Photo: National Park Service, Alaska Region, public domain, Wikimedia Commons
3 OF 5
Float the Kobuk River
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
Varies
Elevation gain
None
Ambler to Kiana — The Kobuk is a broad, slow river, which makes it a good first Arctic float for steady paddlers. It carries you past spruce forest, sandy bluffs and the side trip to the dunes, with villages at both ends of the trip. Fish camps and caribou crossings are part of the scenery. Plan for wind on the wide stretches and days of rain.
⚠︎ Much of the riverbank is private Native land. Camp on park land and leave fish camps alone.
Photo: National Park Service, Alaska Region, public domain, Wikimedia Commons
4 OF 5
Onion Portage
Difficulty
Easy
Length
Short walks
Elevation gain
Minimal
Kobuk River — For more than 8,000 years, people have gathered at this bend in the Kobuk River to hunt caribou as the herd swims across. Known as Paatitaaq in Iñupiaq, it is a National Historic Landmark and one of the most important archaeological sites in the Arctic. It is still an active hunting place each fall. Visit quietly, give hunters space, and leave every artifact where it lies.
⚠︎ Active subsistence hunting site in fall. Collecting artifacts is illegal.
Photo: National Park Service, Alaska Region, public domain, Wikimedia Commons
5 OF 5
Float the Salmon River
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
Varies
Elevation gain
None
Baird Mountains to the Kobuk — A small, clear wild river that runs down from the Baird Mountains to join the Kobuk. The water is so clean you can watch fish over the gravel, and the valley feels even more remote than the main river. Most trips fly to the upper river and paddle down. In low water you may need to drag your boat over shallow riffles.
⚠︎ Remote fly-in trip. Cold water, bears and changing levels; carry a bear-resistant food container.
Photo: National Park Service, Alaska Region, public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Plan your Kobuk Valley trip
The Nova Bound app builds the whole trip around these trails: where to stay, where to charge, and what to see each day. Coming soon to the App Store.
Distances are round trip unless noted, from NPS.gov and rounded. Trails, permits and road openings change; always check nps.gov before you go. Trail write-ups by Nova Bound.