Kobuk Valley National Park: A River Runs Through It

When it comes to national parks that serve multiple purposes, few are as dynamic and necessary as those of the great wilderness of Alaska. This captivating and untamed state is home to some of the most essential ecosystems in the world, as well as breathtaking sights and sounds on display for the adventurous public.

From Gates of the Arctic to Denali, no matter which direction you head in this magnificent state, you’re bound to discover a unique stretch of land full of Mother Nature’s wonders. One of our favorites is Kobuk Valley National Park, where remote mountain meets sand dune and water meets valley. In the Kobuk Valley, wildlife exists in full force, right before your eyes.

Exploring Kobuk Valley

In the most secluded region of the world, in the northwestern corner of Alaska, north of the Arctic Circle, there is sand. That’s right, you might be shocked to discover that in the Kobuk Valley, temperatures can climb as high as 100 degrees, and yet just a few miles away, mountains climb and ice caps form. Covering almost 2 million acres, Kobuk Valley National Park is the very definition of a diverse land, where you can traverse dunes and come across migrating caribou stepping out of a rushing river en route north for hibernation.

Speaking of caribou, visitors to Kobuk Valley National Park are likely to encounter eskimos lying in wait on the Kobuk River in anticipation of the crossing of herds of the antlered animals. Sustenance hunting is permitted in Kobuk Valley National Park, and the eskimos have survived for centuries on caribou. Few places on Earth offer a more natural look at life in the toughest corners of the world. Make your way to Kobuk Valley National Park, and we guarantee you’ll discover something new about this world in which we live!