Cape Krusenstern National Monument • Alaska

muskox standing on the tundra

moon over snow covered hills

aerial view of beach ridges

fish hanging on rack

archaeologist digging

A bridge to the past and a land for the future, Cape Krusenstern National Monument protects approximately 560,000 acres of diverse Arctic coastal, and upland ecosystems. Inhabited by the Iñupiaq people since time-immemorial, over 5,000 years of sequential human use is documented in the 114 successive beach ridges. Rich connections to the land and waters are preserved through subsistence practices.

Muskox and Greater White-fronted Geese on vegetated beach ridges in front of the Igichuk Hills.
NPS Photo

January light and a bright moon at 2 pm over the Igichuk Hills in Cape Krusenstern National Monument.
NPS Photo

Beach ridges created by years of wave action during storms can be seen as parallel lines in the fall vegetation covering the old gravel.
NPS Photo

Pike (left and right) and trout (middle) dry on a rack at a subsistence camp. The slash marks allow more air to circulate and dry the meat more quickly.
NPS Photo

A University of Washington archeology crew conducts research on an old semi-subterranean house along the beach ridges of Cape Krusenstern. Old house timbers are slowly revealed about 4 feet down
NPS Photo

Cape Krusenstern Beach Ridges

A Window to the Past

For the past 5,000 years people have left evidence of their lives on the beach ridges of Cape Krusenstern.

A plane looks out at the view of Cape Krusenstern National Monument

Plan Your Visit

Here, you have an opportunity to experience wilderness on a scale above and beyond anything you may have encountered.

Large dark brown bull muskox stands in a field of willows

Wildlife of Cape Krusenstern

An abundance of opportunities present themselves to see a variety of wildlife in Cape Krusenstern.

bright orange salmon drying on a fish rack

Diary of a Subsistence User

Many Alaskans still live off the land, just like their ancestors have done for thousands of years.

black and white bird flying

World Class Birding

Over 150 species of birds migrate to Cape Krusenstern National Monument every summer to breed.

Last updated: September 17, 2024

Begin Your Adventure

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 1029
Kotzebue, AK 99752

Phone:

907 318-2230
This phone is located at the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center located in Kotzebue, Alaska.

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