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Operating hours and seasons for the park are: mid-May through September 30- the visitor center is open daily, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the Russian Bishop’s House is open daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. October through Mid-May, the visitor center is open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the Russian Bishop’s House is open by appointment only. The visitor center contains ethnographic exhibits and houses the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center, where visitors can watch Native artists at work. The Visitor Center is wheelchair accessible, and a wheelchair is available for public use. The gravel-based, wood chip-covered trails in the park are accessible with many types of wheelchairs.

The historic Russian Bishop’s House is not wheelchair accessible. An audiovisual presentation is available to those unable to tour the house.

Sitka National Historical Park, Alaska’s oldest federally designated park was established as a federal park in 1890. It was designated as a park by President Benjamin Harrison on June 21. The park has been known officially be several different names, including Sitka Park, Government Park, Indian River Park, Sitka National Monument, and Sitka National Historical Park. It is just as often referred to by its unofficial names, Lovers’ Lane or Totem Park. It became a national monument in 1910 to commemorate the Battle of Sitka fought between the Tlingits and the Russians. All that remains of this last major conflict between Europeans and natives of the Northwest Coast is the site of a Kiks.ádi Fort. The surroundings are largely unchanged, and with a little imagination one can conjure up scenes of the battle. In 1972, the monument’s name was changed to Sitka National Historical Park and its boundaries expanded to include the Russian Bishop’s House, a National Historic Landmark. Acquisition of the house brought more emphasis to the Russian American focus of the park and involved the park in a lengthy restoration project.

The Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center (SEAICC) was established in 1969 to impart the cultural values of Southeast Alaska Native Culture to students and visitors. The center achieves this goal by providing a place for local Sitka Tlingits to teach themselves about their own culture, while also helping Park visitors understand the Native people whose history is part of the Park story. Although it is housed in the Park visitor center, SEAICC is an independent, non-profit Native organization. SEAICC offers both students and visitors the opportunity to learn about Northwest Coast native art. Park visitors can view artists working and can talk to them about their craft and culture. In addition, SEAICC offers courses in traditional Tlingit art such as beadwork, weaving, bentwood box making, and box drum making.

Learn more about Sitka National Historical Park by participating in a Ranger-led activity. During the summer season, park rangers and volunteers present a number of interpretive programs each day. Battle Walk is a ranger-led walk to the battle grounds and former fort site to learn about this important event. Carved History Walk lets you learn the stories and legends of the totem poles in the park. The Russian Bishop’s House Tour represents a little known chapter in American history. One of only four Russian period buildings left in North America, the Russian Bishop’s House stands as a lasting legacy of the time when the Tsar ruled Alaska. Sitka National Historical Park also offers visitors a chance to experience the natural world. You can walk in a temperate rain forest under towering trees, observe migrating salmon, explore the intertidal zone, and study wildlife. Park rangers present a variety of naturalist programs to assist visitors in their understanding of the park’s natural environment.

Alaska’s District Governor John G. Brady brought a collection of totem poles to Sitka in 1905. These histories carved in cedar were rounded up from villages throughout southeastern Alaska. None of the originals came from Sitka, though this art form is very much a part of Tlingit tradition. Many poles exhibited along the park’s two miles of wooded pathways are copies of deteriorating originals now in storage.

The totem poles in the park are exhibited along a scenic coastal trail. Traditionally, the totems would not have been arranged in such a neat line. Imagine that you are an explorer in the early 19th century, sailing through southeast Alaska. As you come around a point, a native village comes into view. Close by the water are numerous single story rectangular houses and towering above the houses, at the corners and in front of them, are carved poles with striking designs and colors. With their striking designs and colors, totem poles are bold statements of the identities and stories of the people who carved them. A totem pole generally served one of four purposes: Crest poles give the ancestry of a particular family, History poles record the history of a clan, Legend poles illustrate folklore or real life experiences, and Memorial poles commemorate a particular individual.

Baranof Island is one of the most rugged of all the islands in southeast Alaska, with many high peaks and slopes. The outer coast is dotted with numerous small islands. The northern part of the island exhibits soil layers of volcanic ash from past eruptions of Mt. Edgecumbe. The park is located at the mouth of Indian River on Baranof Island. Indian River drains the post-glaciated valley encompassing approximately 7,800 acres, outlined by Mount Verstovia, Arrowhead Peak, the Sisters, and Gavan Hill. The park coastline is adjacent to Crescent and Jamestown Bays.

Pink and chum salmon enter the intertidal and lower floodplain channel segments of the Indian River to spawn from mid-July through September. Coho salmon, chinook salmon, and steelhead trout migrate upstream but have not been observed spawning in the park. The primary rearing and spawning habitat for coho salmon, chinook salmon, and steelhead trout is above the Sheldon Jackson College diversion dam. A fish pass along the dam allows upstream access for these species under certain flow conditions. Anadromous Dolly Varden enter the river in August, migrating upriver through the park to spawn farther upstream. Non-anadromous resident fish in the river include rainbow trout, coast range sculpin, and Dolly Varden. Marine species of fish common to the marine waters of Sitka also inhabit the intertidal and estuarine areas of the park.

The park’s intertidal and shoreline areas support a variety of migratory waterfowl and shore birds during spring and fall. Resident birds including common mergansers, mallards, spotted sandpipers, and great blue herons use the estuary, river, and tidal flats for foraging and protection. Sea birds such as common murres, scoters, harlequin ducks, scaup, buffleheads, and long-tailed ducks commonly use the park waters, particularly in winter. Gulls, crows, and ravens scavenge along the tidal flats and the river. Bald eagles are common in the general area, especially during the spring herring spawn and fall salmon runs, when eagles feed on fish carcasses in the river and adjacent tidal flats. At least one bald eagle nest is present in the park. Many passerine birds use the park for breeding, a wintering ground, or a migratory stopover including pine siskins, savanna sparrows, varied, hermit, and Swainson’s thrushes, robins, Townsend’s warblers, ruby-crowned and golden-crowned kinglets, kingfishers, dippers, and winter wrens.

Mammal species such as shrews, mice, voles, red tree squirrels, mink, and river otters also inhabit the park. Brown bears occupy the Indian River drainage and occasionally enter the park, often at the beginning of the salmon runs. Sitka black-tail deer also occasionally enter and forage in the park but are discouraged from doing so because of the development and human activity around the park. The endangered humpback whale and the threatened Steller sea lion are commonly sighted in marine waters around Sitka.

The vegetation in Sitka National Historical Park is a coastal temperate rainforest typical of southeast Alaska. Western hemlock closed-canopy forest type is found on all the stable landforms, including most of the park. Blueberry and devil’s club dominate the shrub layer. Occasional Sitka spruce is found in the over-story, frequently taller than the hemlocks. Much of the park is second-growth hemlock (100-125 years in age) that shows an over-story of relatively uniform height. In areas where the canopy has been opened through blow down of trees, there is a well-developed shrub under-story. Under the denser canopies there are fewer shrubs and limited forbs and ferns. The largest trees are in the forest in the northeast corner of the park. This forest exhibits old-growth characteristics such as multiple canopy layers, trees of varying diameters, snags (dead standing trees), and woody debris. One Sitka spruce is close to 500 years of age. Old cut stumps in this area suggest that selective logging may have been practiced here in the past.

Sitka experiences a temperate marine climate, characterized by heavy precipitation and a small temperature range between seasons. Most of the 96.6 inches average annual precipitation in Sitka occurs as rain. The wettest months of the year are September through November, with October receiving an average of 14.8 inches. Summer temperatures range from high 50′s to high 60′s F. Winter is rainy and snowy with temperatures from the high teens to the 40′s F. Rain gear and layered clothing are recommended year-round. Also if you are going to hike the trails, bring good hiking or walking shoes

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Please do not feed or harass the wildlife. There are a few bears occasionally in the park. See Wildlife Precautions page for animal encounter tips.

There is an interpretive fee for exhibits in the Visitor Center of $4.00 for 5 days. No fee for children under 13 years old. Fees will be charged May 8 – late September 2005; fees are not charged during the winter season.

Interpretive fee for tours and exhibits in the Russian Bishop’s House are $4.00 for 5 days. No fee for children under 13 years old. Fees will be charged May 8 – late September 2005; fees are not charged during the winter season.

A Family Pass is $15.00 annual fee and grants entry to both the Visitor Center and Russian Bishop’s House for one year from the month of purchase.

No roads reach Sitka from the mainland; the city is accessible only by air or sea. Commercial airlines fly directly from Seattle, Juneau and Anchorage. Sitka is also a port of call for ferries on the Alaska Marine Highway System.

Once in Sitka, visitors without cars can travel by foot, taxi, tour bus, or bicycle. The downtown area is not very large; most points of interest are within walking distance of each other. The Park is located at the south end of Lincoln Street, approximately one-fourth mile from downtown Sitka. The Visitor Center and Russian Bishop’s House are located about a ten minute walk apart in this essentially urban park.

Sitka National Historical Park, 103 Monastery Street, Sitka, AK 99835

Visitor Center (907) 747-0110

Business Office (907) 747-6281

Fax (907) 747-5938

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Noatak National Preserve is open year around. The headquarters office is located in Kotzebue and the hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. The Visitor Center, also located in Kotzebue, is open for the summer and hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Saturday 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, closed Sunday & Monday.

The preserve lies almost completely enclosed by the Baird and DeLong Mountains of the Brooks Range. Within the preserve ends the boreal forest, merging into treeless tundra on the valley’s southern edge. Linked to the wide area of the Northwest Alaska Areas is the wide-ranging, nomadic western arctic herd of barren ground caribou. Its aggregate numbers exceed 500,000 animals today. The tundra offers a thin veneer of life across which caribou must move to forage for adequate food and to reach the calving grounds. The herd is the second largest in North America. They can be seen each year crossing the Noatak River in their migration.

The entire Noatak River is located above the Arctic Circle. The glacier-fed headwaters of the Noatak are found in the rugged Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. This is where the swiftest and most hazardous water of the river is found. The upper Noatak flows through a series of glacial moraines, characterized by stretches of broad floodplain and gentle gradient alternating with boulder choked rapids and steep bluffs.

Farther along, as the river enters the Noatak National Preserve, the valley floor widens into the broad plateau of tundra country. Here, the landscape is dotted with ponds and marshes inhabited by moose, grizzly bears, wolverine, caribou, wolves, Dall sheep and nesting waterfowl. Distant mountains border the valley. In this, the middle section of the river, the Noatak maintains a swift current, averaging between five and eight miles per hour. In contrast, the lower portion of the river is slow and braided.

Whitefish, grayling, arctic char, salmon, and pike are among the fish which inhabit the waters of the preserve. An Alaskan fishing license is required to fish the rivers. Fishing can be good when rivers are clear and fish are running.

The most common method of visiting the preserve is by floating the Noatak River. The larger tributaries of the Noatak-the Cutler, Kelly, Nimiuktuk and Kugururok Rivers-are also suitable for floating. Folding boats and rubber rafts are the most practical for a floating trip, as they can more easily be fit into a small plane for transport to the river. The rafting is rated Class I-II. The trip length is up to 347 miles, so allow any where from 7 days to 3 weeks to float the river. The season runs June through September.

The native village of Noatak is several miles downriver from the preserve’s southwestern boundary. With a current population of 350, Noatak is the only village on the river. Originally a hunting and fishing camp, it became a permanent settlement in the 19th century. As they have been for thousands of years, the lands encompassed by the preserve are still used by the Inupiaq Eskimos of the region for subsistence hunting, fishing and gathering.

Expect high winds throughout the year and short, mild, cool sunny summers. You can also expect to experience 24 hours of daylight for one month and a long, severe, harsh, extremely cold winter with about one hour of daylight by December 1. Arctic winter conditions – snow, ice, wind, and below-freezing temperatures exist in the park from October through April. Snow or freezing temperatures may occur any time, even in summer. The area receives 10-12″ precipitation annually.

It’s best to possess good backcountry skills for wilderness survival. Know and test your gear before you take your trip. Leave your itinerary with someone and notify that person when you complete your trip. Winter travel is recommended only to those experienced in arctic camping and survival techniques.

Any time of the year, exposure and hypothermia are real threats to visitors and park personnel. Early symptoms are slurred speech, trembling, exhaustion, stumbling and impaired judgment. Above all, keep warm and dry! If you get wet, hypothermia is likely to follow. If you become wet, stop hiking and find a dry spot out of the wind, rain, or cold. Remove wet garments and add layers of dry warm clothing. Drink plenty of liquids (not alcohol). In more advanced cases, remove clothing and climb into a dry sleeping bag, stay awake, and share body heat with others. Advanced hypothermia is difficult to treat properly, creating a serious situation, so prevention is your best bet. Make sure all members of your party are aware of the symptoms of hypothermia and look out for each other.
For back country hiking/camping, wear plenty of warm clothing (no cotton), dress in layers, and use rain gear. Wear sturdy hiking boots and waders for wet terrain. Be prepared with high energy snacks, plenty of water or tablets to treat water/boiling water for 1 minute (Giardia lamblia can be a problem), a change of dry clothing and a waterproof bag to keep them dry, a warm coat, gloves, high-quality equipment-compass, backpack, tent, GPS, campstove, multipurpose tool, knife, signal device, hiking boots, first-aid kit, extra food in case you are stuck somewhere longer than planned, and head nets and/or repellent in summer for mosquitoes.

While hiking, take careful note of the direction you’re traveling, of prominent landmarks and approximate distances you have walked. Frequently ask yourself if you could find your way back under conditions of low clouds, rain or snow. Take careful compass bearings on the next day’s proposed route before retiring. Inform all your party of the planned route, campsite, and general direction of travel in the event you become separated. If you become lost, don’t panic; stop and plan carefully. If you become separated from your group, stay where you are or move a short distance to the point where you were last in contact with the group. If alone, climb high to look for familiar landmarks. If you find no familiar landmarks or rivers, stay in one place and remain in the open. Bright signals or objects placed in sequence of three are widely recognized as distress signs.

If you encounter an injured or ill person, remain calm. Quickly give whatever first-aid is required to stabilize the person and protect them from the elements. It may be some time before assistance arrives. Mark where they are located with a brightly colored material, in the open, so the person can be located from the air. Write down the nature of the injury/illness; condition and name, home address, phone number, sex and age of the person; what rescue equipment will be needed; exact location and type of terrain; and any information about a Medic-Alert tag, bracelet, or wallet card with ID number that the person may have. Then, quickly go or send for help. If you are injured or ill, conserve your energy and body heat. Stay by a water supply and remain calm, think, plan, and organize.

Many natives use the land in subsistence living. They are protected and you should honor their hunting and fishing areas by not invading, destroying or in any way interfering with them. Always check with the visitor center as to the whereabouts of private land and get permission from the owners before camping there.

Map

Grizzly and black bears are common to the preserve. They are unpredictable and dangerous. Never surprise them or approach closely; stay cautious and alert at all times. See the Wildlife Precautions page for more information about protecting yourself.

There are no fees for this area.

All camping is wilderness camping. Be sure to use the Leave-No-Trace procedures. Tundra and river beds are used for camping, however, use the river beds with caution. Rapid changes in river levels can occur without warning. Camp only where escape routes are available to safe, higher ground. Keep your gear above the river level and secure boats and other floatable items. Tents should be able to withstand high winds and have a rainfly. A campstove is recommended. Campfires are permitted, but downed wood may be hard to find. Live tree cutting is not permitted.

Commercial airlines provide service from Anchorage or Fairbanks to Nome or Kotzebue. From Kotzebue to the Parklands, fly with various air taxi operators. There are scheduled flights to villages and chartered flights to specific park areas. Summer access may include motorized/non-motorized watercraft, aircraft, or by foot. Winter access may include snowmobiles, aircraft or by foot.

National Park Service, PO Box 1029, Kotzebue, AK 99752
Headquarters 907-442-3890
Summer Visitor Information 907-442-3760
By Fax 907-442-8316

Map

Kobuk Valley National Park is open year around. The headquarters office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday and it is located in Kotzebue. The Visitor Center, also located in Kotzebue, is open for the summer and hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Saturday 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and closed Sunday & Monday.

Sand created by the grinding action of ancient glaciers has been carried to the Kobuk Valley by both wind and water. One of the most popular destinations, the Great Sand Dunes is an active, eolian, sand dune system covering 23.5 square miles. They consist of transverse and barchan dunes that can swell to heights of 250 feet or more. Bordered on the south by the Waring Mountains and Kavet Creek on the west, dunes now cover much of the southern portion of the Kobuk Valley, where they are naturally stabilized by vegetation. They continue to move west, pushed by easterly winds. The Little Kobuk Sand Dunes are located further southeast and only cover approximately 2.3 square miles. The existing dune fields could be a relic of a much larger, post glacial dune field. It is uncertain how large that may be, but geological research indicates that the current vegetation covers more than 300 square miles of ancient dunes. River bluffs, composed of sand and standing as high as 150 feet, hold permafrost ice wedges and the fossils of Ice Age mammals.

Geologists, archeologists and palynologists have all studied the sand dunes to learn about life before and after glaciation periods. The sand dune systems that exist today in Alaska’s arctic and subarctic could provide us with a link between pre-glacial ecosystems and our current ecosystem. It could be that what we see today closely mimics the scenery of times past as people migrated across the continent after the glaciers melted.

The park is 1.7 million acres of land sitting in a semi-enclosed bowl about 30 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The southern portion is the Kobuk Valley Wilderness Area which covers 190,000 acres. The boreal forest reaches its northern limit here, resulting in open woodland of small trees in a mat of thick tundra. Flora found on the dunes include many colorful species such as Siberian Asters, yellow chrysanthemums, wormwood, Eskimo Potato, bearberry and more. Surrounding the dunes, you will see white spruce, paper birch, alder shrubs, blueberry bushes, willow shrubs, Quaking Aspen and many species of lichen and moss. Kobuk Valley National Park was set up to protect and maintain the environment and interpret archeological sites associated with native cultures. As such, natural and archeological objects are protected and can not be removed.

Native people have lived along the Kobuk for at least 9,000 years. Their history is best recorded at the onion portage archeological site, situated along the Kobuk River in the southeastern corner of the park. Within the many stratified layers of silt deposited by the Kobuk River at Onion Portage are featured, in chronological order, artifacts from every known Eskimo occupation of North America. Today, five of the ten villages in Northwest Alaska are found along the banks of the Kobuk River-from Noorvik, only 30 miles from where the river pours out into Hotham Inlet (known locally as Lake Kobuk) to Kobuk, more than 200 miles inland. In between, the villages of Kiana, Ambler and Shungnak can be found. The upper villages are often used as starting points for float trips.

Together with Cape Krusenstern National Monument and Noatak National Preserve, Kobuk National Park is linked to the wide-ranging, nomadic western arctic herd of barren ground caribou. Their aggregate numbers exceed 500,000 animals today. The tundra offers a thin veneer of life across which caribou must move to forage for adequate food. In summer the land is covered with a profusion of low-growing plants, including dwarfed ground willows, saxifrage, lupines, reindeer moss, and lichens. Native peoples were often nomadic, following the caribou migrations. Throughout these parklands, local residents still pursue caribou hunting, fishing, trapping, and other subsistence activities. Special provisions of the legislation establishing these Alaska parklands allow local people to continue these activities. Many residents rely significantly on locally harvested animals, fish, and plants for satisfying basic food needs. The Inupiat people traditionally valued the land so that, through wise use over thousands of years, its resources and productivity were carefully preserved for the benefit of future generations. The national park has a compatible mission-to be good stewards of the vast reaching northwest Alaska for the enjoyment and use of this and coming generations.

Other animals to be found in the park are muskoxen, a prehistoric looking animal that is a relic of the Ice Age; wolverines, reindeer, wolves, porcupines, moose, and black and grizzly bears.

The Kotzebue basin boasts a wide and diverse collection of over 150 species of birds for the bird watching fans. Of particular interest is the diversity of the migratory songbirds. Ravens, Sandhill cranes, arctic terns, and gray jays are just a few of the many birds to be seen. Many of the breeding songbirds in Northwest Alaska migrate from wintering habitats in South America and Eastern Asia. Some come as far as Africa. Geographically, the southern species are referred to as Neotropical (New World) migrants and the Asian species as Paleartic (Old World) migrants. A banding program has been in effect since 1994 in an effort to track valuable biological data.

Taking a trip down the Kobuk River with a folding kayak or canoe, canoe, or an inflatable kayak promises to be an unforgettable wilderness experience. The river gets up to 1,500 feet wide in places and has areas where it falls only 2 to 3 inches per mile. The trip is anywhere from 125-260 miles and can take from 6-20 days to complete. There are areas that have to be portaged. The rapids in the river run from Class II to Class V.

In the upper Kobuk and its tributaries, hiking opportunities are excellent as the trees are widely spaced and the forest floor forms a soft mat of lichens. The upper and middle regions offer spectacular scenery. To the south lie the wind sculpted Kobuk Sand Dunes. There are no trails or roads within the park.

Expect high winds throughout the year and short, mild, cool sunny summers. The coast line areas are primarily a maritime climate, while the interior areas are more of a continental climate. The interior has greater variation in temperature and precipitation. There are 24 hours of daylight for one month in the summer with average temperatures in the 50’s along the coast line and 90’s by the sand dunes. A long, severe, harsh, extremely cold winter with about one hour of daylight and temperatures from -10 to -65 degrees can be experienced by December 1. The area receives 10-12″ precipitation annually on the coast by Kotzebue and 16-20 inches inland by the village of Kobuk. Arctic winter conditions – snow, ice, wind, and below-freezing temperatures exist in the park from October through April. Snow or freezing temperatures may occur any time, even in summer. The “freeze up,” where the water freezes solid in winter, occurs in mid-October and the “breakup”, where the ice breaks up into pieces and moves down river or out to sea, occurs in late May inland and as late as the third week in June along the coast.

This is a vast area subject to harsh weather, high winds, rain and snow. Guard against hypothermia, an all-season killer. Take plenty of warm clothing and enough food, water, clothing and equipment for at least one extra day. Have at least one extra set of warm, dry clothes in case one set gets wet. Pack clothes, sleeping bags and sleeping pads in waterproof bags. Eat high calorie foods. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

For back country hiking/camping, wear plenty of warm clothing, dress in layers (not cotton), and use rain gear. Wear sturdy hiking boots and waders for wet terrain. Clothing and camp gear should be of good quality. Tents should be able to withstand strong winds and have rain flies. Always carry extra food and water in case your transportation cannot pick you up as scheduled. A campstove is recommended. Campfires are permitted, but downed wood can be difficult to find. Live tree cutting is not permitted. Also bring sleeping bag and mat, water filtering system, collapsible water container, 2 quart water bottle, first aid kit, repair kit for your gear, flashlight with extra batteries and bulb, fuel, toilet kit, topographical map, compass, GPS unit, signal mirror or whistle, multipurpose tool or knife, and cooking utensils.

Mosquitoes and biting flies are prevalent, especially in the summer months, so head nets and repellent are recommended. Drinking water needs to be boiled for one minute before use as Giardia lamblia can be a problem. Some areas in the backcountry have sparse water supplies so you will need to bring your own.

You must possess good wilderness skills for survival. Know and test your gear before you arrive. For your safety, leave your itinerary with someone and notify that person when you complete your trip. Winter travel can be recommended only to those experienced in artic camping and survival techniques. While hiking, take careful note of the direction you’re traveling, of prominent landmarks and approximate distances you have walked. Frequently ask yourself if you could find your way back under conditions of low clouds, rain or snow. Take careful compass bearings on the next day’s proposed route before retiring. Inform all your party of the planned route, campsite, and general direction of travel in the event you become separated. If you become lost, don’t panic; stop and plan carefully. If you become separated from your group, stay where you are or move a short distance to the point where you were last in contact with the group. If alone, climb high to look for familiar landmarks. If you find no familiar landmarks or rivers, stay in one place and remain in the open. Bright signals or objects placed in sequence of three are widely recognized as distress signs.

If you encounter an injured or ill person, remain calm. Quickly give whatever first-aid is required to stabilize the person and protect them from the elements. It may be some time before assistance arrives. Mark where they are located with a brightly colored material, in the open, so the person can be located from the air. Write down the nature of the injury/illness; condition and name, home address, phone number, sex and age of the person; what rescue equipment will be needed; exact location and type of terrain; and any information about a Medic-Alert tag, bracelet, or wallet card with ID number that the person may have. Then, quickly go or send for help. If you are injured or ill, conserve your energy and body heat. Stay by a water supply and remain calm, think, plan, and organize.

Current Weather

Grizzly and black bears are common to the park. They are unpredictable and dangerous. Never surprise them or approach closely. Stay cautious and alert at all times. Make a lot of noise-loud talking, ringing a bell, or shaking stones in a can. If you meet a bear, yield the right-of-way by moving slowly away, not running. Clean camps are essential to reduce bear problems. Foods, lotions, toothpaste, and shaving cream and their odors attract bears. Keep your sleep area and cooking areas separate. Store food and scented articles in airtight containers. Leave foods such as bacon and smoked fish at home. Burn and carry out all garbage. It is legal to carry a firearm for bear protection. A .300-Magnum rifle or a 12-gauge shotgun with rifled slugs is appropriate weapons if you have to shoot a bear. Heavy handguns such as a .44 Magnum may be inadequate in emergency situations, especially in untrained hands. However, firearms should never be used as an alternative to common-sense approaches to bear encounters. Also, a misplaced bullet may enrage the bear and cause a more severe attack. See the Wildlife Precautions page for further information.

No fees are charged.

There are no formal campgrounds. The available camping is wilderness camping. Kotzebue has a number of small stores where some basic goods can be purchased. Tundra and river bars are often used to camp. Use the river bars with caution as rapid changes in water can occur without warning. Camp only where escape routes are available to safe, higher ground. Keep gear above the river level and secure boats and other floatable items. Practice the Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. Camping is not permitted where it would interrupt subsistence activities or on private property without the owner’s consent. Private property usually is located along the rivers and beaches.

Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Noatak National Preserve, Selawik National Wildlife Refuge, Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge and Inupiat Heritage Center in Barrow AK are all great places to check out.

Commercial airlines provide service from Anchorage or Fairbanks to Nome and Kotzebue. From either location, visitors may fly with various air taxi operators. There are scheduled flights to villages and chartered flights to specific park areas. Summer access may include motorized/non-motorized watercraft, aircraft, or by foot. Winter access may include snowmobiles, aircraft or by foot.

Kobuk Valley National Park, PO Box 1029, Kotzebue, AK 99752
Headquarters-907-442-3890
Summer Visitor Information-907-442-3760
By Fax 907-442-8316

Map

Winter hours for the park are (October – April) offices open 8 AM to 5 PM weekdays, except holidays. The summer (May – September) visitor center is open 8 AM to 6 PM daily including holidays.

Skagway, at the head of the White Pass Trail, was founded by a former steamboat captain named William Moore. His small homestead was inundated with some 10,000 transient residents struggling to get their required year’s worth of gear and supplies over the Coast Range and down the Yukon River headwaters at lakes Lindeman and Bennett. Dyea, three miles away at the head of Taiya Inlet, experienced the same frantic boomtown activity as gold seekers poured ashore and picked their way up the Chilkoot Trail into Canada.

Stampeders faced their greatest hardships on the Chilkoot Trail out of Dyea and the White Pass Trail out of Skagway. There were murders and suicides, disease and malnutrition, and death from hypothermia, avalanche, and, some said heartbreak. The Chilkoot was the toughest on men because pack animals could not be used easily on the steep slopes leading to the pass. Until tramways were built late in 1897 and early 1898, the stampeders had to carry everything on their backs. The White Pass Trail was the animal-killer, as anxious prospectors overloaded and beat their pack animals and forced them over the rocky terrain until they dropped. More than 3,000 animals died on this trail; many of their bones still lie at the bottom on Dead Horse Gulch.

During the first year of the rush an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 gold seekers spent an average of three months packing their outfits up the trails and over the passes to the lakes. The distance from tidewater to the lakes was only about 35 miles, but each individual trudged hundreds of miles back and forth along the trails, moving gear from cache to cache. Once the prospectors had hauled their full array of gear to the lakes, they built or bought boats to float the remaining 560 or so miles downriver to Dawson City and the Klondike mining district where an almost limitless supply of gold nuggets was said to lie. By midsummer of 1898 there were 18,000 people at Dawson, with more than 5,000 working the diggings. By August many of the stampeders had started for home, most of them broke. The next year saw a still larger exodus of miners when gold was discovered at Nome, Alaska. The great Klondike Gold Rush ended as suddenly as it had begun. Towns such as Dawson City and Skagway began to decline. Others, including Dyea, disappeared altogether, leaving only memories of what many consider to be the last grand adventure of the 19th century.

The only National Park Service hiking trail in Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is the Chilkoot trail. It runs through US and Canadian lands. There is a transportation service at the end of the trail at Bennett to Skagway, Alaska, or Fraser, B. C. It must be noted that this trail is not for beginners.

Skagway is a good starting point for several interesting day hikes and longer hiking trips as well. These are found on Forest Service or other public lands, but are neither maintained nor patrolled by NPS personnel. Gold Rush Cemetery and Lower Reid Falls is a 4 miles (6.4 km) round trip, easy hike, to where else-a cemetery and spectacular water fall. Sturgill’s Landing is a 7 mile round trip moderately strenuous hike that meanders south through a mixed stand of spruce, hemlock and lodgepole pine and skirts around boggy areas that may be muddy. You should be able to see the ruins of a saw mill across the creek. Lower Dewey Lake is 0.7 mile (1.1km) to lake; 2 miles (3.2 km) around lake and is rated moderate. To see Icy Lake and Upper Reid Falls, involves hiking 7 miles round trip on a steep to moderate trail. Yakutania Point is an easy 1-2 mile round trip hike where you can pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it at Smugglers Cove. There are six longer backpacking trips ranging from 2-10 miles, some off of other trails, with 2 leading to glaciers. These trails are moderate to strenuous.

Most anthropologists consider that the area immediately surrounding the three Alaska units of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is the traditional territory of the Chilkoot division of the Tlingit Indians. Many consider that the Coast Mountains have served as the tribal barrier between the Coastal Tlingits and the inland Athapaskan (“Stick”) tribes. The area in and around the Park was relatively lightly populated by the local Natives. At Dyea, there probably existed a small fishing and hunting camp–possibly permanent but more likely seasonal–near the mouth of the Taiya River. The Taiya and Nourse River valleys were used by Natives in pursuit of goats, bear and other game. Little evidence remains of their long occupation. In the early 1980s, investigators turned up three pre-contact aboriginal sites, each being small midden mounds, on a hill overlooking Dyea. Then, in the mid-1990s, archeologists located several rock shelters on the hill between Sheep Camp and the Scales; one, perhaps all, were used decades before Europeans began traversing the trail.

Before the Taiya River Valley became an active route for the gold stampeders, the Tlingit used the route to trade with the Athabascans in the Interior. After contact, the Tlingit acted as middlemen for a thriving trade in local and Euro American goods between the interior and Russian, Boston and Hudson’s Bay trading companies. The Tlingit used the Chilkoot Trail as their main trading route in the interior and defended their monopoly, not permitting others to use the passes and even burning Fort Selkirk in the Yukon in 1852 when the Hudson’s Bay Company attempted to trade directly with the interior groups. In 1879, US Navy Commander L.A. Beardsley reached an agreement with the Tlingit whereby miners would be permitted to reach the Yukon via the passes but would not interfere with their regular trade. Tlingit guides accompanied the first party over in May 1880, and transported the miners’ gear for a fee. This trip set the foundation for the Tlingit packing business, which thrived until the Gold Rush.

Located at the head of the Chilkoot trail, Dyea erupted from a small trading post to a major port in 1897 after word of the Klondike gold discovery reached Seattle and San Francisco. Unfortunately, its prosperity proved to be short-lived. The town’s poor harbor, the disastrous snow slide of April 3, 1898, and the construction of the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad out of Skagway all served to doom the town. Fewer than 500 people remained after the summer of 1898, and the 1903 population had fallen to about a half dozen including E.A.Klatt, who farmed the once busy streets, growing vegetables for the Skagway market. Since the rush, nature has proven unkind to Dyea. The Taiya River has shifted several times, washing old buildings into the sea, and the rainforest climate of southeast Alaska has caused many buildings to collapse and rot. Today you can tour the Dyea town site with a Ranger.

Activities available at the park include snow skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, wildlife viewing, hunting, kayaking, fishing, dog mushing, bird watching, backpacking, boating, and horseback riding.

Weather conditions above tree line change quickly and can be more extreme as elevation is gained. Rain, fog, high winds, snow and sleet can be expected in summer months. Temperatures may drop below freezing at night and should be anticipated. Come dressed in layers and prepared for both hypothermic and dry hot environmental conditions. The occasional sunny day will still warrant sunscreen and sunglasses. Summers are generally cool and dry. It is often windy in Skagway. Jackets are recommended. Skagway is rainy in September. Conditions on the Chilkoot pass can have snowfall up to 200 inches per year and winter temperatures that can dip to -50°F

When hiking Chilkoot Trail, remember to bring this backpacking checklist: Trail Permit, arrangements for travel to and from the trailheads, lightweight tent, backpack, sleeping bag and mat, a detailed trail map, compass, signal mirror or whistle, clothing for all weather conditions (snow, rain, wind, etc.), food, fuel and stove (enough for trip plus one day), matches, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, wide brimmed hat, extra socks, water bottle(s) and purification kit, 30′ (9m) of cordage and storage sack to hang food from bear poles or an approved bear-proof container, first aid kit, personal hygiene kit (medications, toothbrush, toilet paper, etc.); and early season hiking (before June 15) may also require additional equipment: i.e. snow shoes, ice axe, avalanche transceiver, etc. Bring the proper gear you will need to complete the trail. Be familiar with your equipment before you start out. Please come prepared because there are few retailers that carry the above items in Skagway. Be sure to read the current trail report and inquire about bear activity on the trail. This is a difficult hike and should not be done as a first time backpacking trip. Stop in at the Visitor Center. Chances are you will be greeted by a ranger who walks our nearby trails when off duty. Pick up a hiking map at the Visitor Center and find which trails best match your requirements with current conditions. Remember to use the Leave-No-Trace principles.

U.S. Park Service Rangers and Parks Canada Wardens conduct daily patrols along the Chilkoot Trail and base operations out of Sheep Camp on the U.S. side and Lindeman City on the Canada side of the trail. Cell phones do not work on the trail. Satellite phones may function in some areas. Hazards exist along the trail during certain conditions. Watch out for avalanche possibilities, flooding of the trail and weakened and hazardous snow bridges over concealed running water. That’s why it is important to get up-to-date trail information before hiking. Trail users should be self-sufficient and prepared to handle emergencies independently, as assistance may be hours to a day away. Helicopter medical evacuations from the trail may cost up to $1500. Trail hikers are advised to consult their medical insurance policies before starting their hike.

Current Weather

Bears are encountered frequently along the Chilkoot Trail. Stay on the trail and travel in groups, if possible. Use food storage devices that are located at all of the designated camping areas and bring 30 feet of rope for the bear poles. For your safety cook at or in the warming shelters, so as to keep food smells away from your tent site. Also, please do not leave your pack unattended at any point along the trail. A quick visual sweep after you are ready to leave camp will help to insure that no garbage, food or personal belongings are left behind. Pack out all garbage! Do not place wrappers and trash in the toilet cribs or wood stoves! See Wildlife Precaution page for further information.

There are no park entrance fees.

Permits to camp at Dyea Campground are $6.00/site/night.

Permits to hike the full Chilkoot Trail trip is $52.50/adult, $26.25/youth (ages 5-16). Permits for the US trail area only are $17.85 per adult; $8.95 per youth. The Canada only side trip permit is $34.65 per adult; $17.30 per youth.
Canada charges a Day Permit fee of $9.00 per hiker. There is no fee for day trips in the US.

Reservation fee: $11.85 per hiker in addition to permit fee.

Dyea Campground is a 22 site rustic campground 10 miles from Skagway near the old town site of Dyea, Alaska. The Dyea Campground is located near the entrance to the Chilkoot Trail Unit of the park. The campground is within a short walk of the Chilkoot Trailhead and a short drive or bike ride of the historic town site of Dyea. Facilities include fire rings, picnic tables, pit toilets, parking area and campground host. It opens when free of snow; contact park to confirm intended dates of stay. Hook-ups are not available for recreational vehicles. Campers are advised to bring drinking water and firewood.

Backcountry camping along the trail is available. From approximately June 1 through September 5, every person spending the night on the Chilkoot Trail is required to obtain a Permit. For other dates, please register your itinerary at park headquarters (2nd & Broadway). Those without required permits are subject to fines. Permit fees are collected to help offset the cost of trail and facility maintenance and information services. All fees are payable at time of reservation, or at the time permits are obtained if no advance reservation is made. Permit fees are refundable up to one calendar month prior to start date. Reservation fees are non-refundable. All fees are quoted in Canadian funds and may be subject to change. For reservations and more information call: 867-667-3910 or 1-800-661-0486 (Canada and U.S.) Permit reservations can be made in advance and are highly recommended. Eight permits a day are held for hikers without reservations. Sign the Canadian customs log at the trail center. You are required to check in with Canada customs after departing the trail. Make plans for your return from the trail. The White Pass & Yukon Route will offer transportation from the end of trail at Bennett to Skagway, Alaska, or Fraser, B. C. For information on their schedule call 1-800-343-7373 or 907-983-2217.

Sitka National Historical Park, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Admiralty Island National Monument, Misty Fiords National Monument, and Tongass National Forest are nearby.

Skagway, Alaska is located 96 miles by air north of Juneau.

Skagway is reached by the South Klondike Highway and is 110 miles south of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory.

Skagway is served by the Alaska Marine Highway System from Juneau and by public bus from Whitehorse.

Approximate Mileage from the following major cities to Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park:

By Car:

Port Chilkoot, AK – 18.06 miles
Haines, AK – 17.60 miles
Tanani, AK – 15 miles
Lutak Inlet, AK – 17.35 miles
Wells, AK – 40.74 miles

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Second and Broadway, P. O. Box 517, Skagway, AK 99840
Headquarters 907-983-2921
Visitor Information 907-983-2921
By Fax 907-983-9249

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