Noatak National Preserve • Alaska

Noatak River cuts through a green tundra landscape with distant mountains.

green northern lights

Light and shadows on mountains

mountain refection on calm lake

Three multicolored packrafts on the gravel shore of the Kelly river

bear walking along river

small plane taking off

Hiker on the tundra. Snow covered mountains and a river in the dramatic background.

As one of North America's largest mountain-ringed river basins with an intact ecosystem, the Noatak River environs feature some of the Arctic's finest arrays of plants and animals. The river is classified as a National Wild and Scenic River. It offers stunning wilderness float-trip opportunities - from deep in the Brooks Range to the tidewater of the Chukchi Sea.

The Noatak River carves through the summertime tundra.
NPS Photo / Annie Carlson

A huge spray of northern lights is reflected in a tiny sliver of water in the Noatak River. This image was captured in early September at 2:30 in the morning.
NPS Photo

The famous golden hour near sunset on Copter Peak gives depth to the mountains and neon hues to the tundra.
NPS Photo

The Delong Mountains are flawlessly reflected in the clear, clean water of Desperation Lake in the northern part of Noatak National Preserve.
NPS Photo

Three packrafts sit packed and ready to launch for the days float on the Kelly River.
NPS Photo / Annie Carlson

The profile of this grizzly on the Noatak River shows a nice example of the hump of muscle between it's shoulders. That muscle makes grizzlies good diggers.
NPS Photo

A National Park Service plane takes off from the Kelly Bar landing site at the confluence of the Kelly River and Noatak River
NPS Photo

Hiker along the Nakolik drainage
NPS Photo / Nyssa Landres

fish eggs hanging off wooden rack

Today - as in the past - the land provides for local families. They rely on fish, berries and wildlife to sustain their culture.

Foliage within Noatak National Preserve

Explore the backcountry by camping and hiking in Noatak National Preserve's expansive wilderness.

two visitors on the kelly river

The rivers of Noatak National Preserve weave together a stunning tapestry of Alaska's wilderness.

Sunset on the Noatak

Flanked by the Delong and Baird mountains of the Brooks Range, the river offers 280 miles of superlative wilderness float-trip opportunities

Aerial picture of a lake in the mountains in the Arctic

Get started on planning your visit within Noatak National Preserve!

Arctic Tern flying in air

Noatak is home to a wide array of different animals. Learn more about them here.

Last updated: October 2, 2024

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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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