Kobuk Valley National Park is open year around. The headquarters office and visitor center are located at the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center in the bush village of Kotzebue, Alaska.
Hours:
Summer Hours (April 1 - October 31): Monday - Friday 9 am - 5 pm
Winter Hours (November 1 - March 31): Monday - Friday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Many people know the official first day for all four seasons: Winter is December 21, Spring is March 20, Summer is June 21, and Fall is September 22. However in Kobuk Valley National Park, what people think of as winter is longer than four months. And as such, other seasons feel shorter. Below are descriptions for the seasons park based on weather, activities, and challenges people may experience.
Winter conditions last from mid October to the first of April. Snow, ice, wind, and below-freezing temperatures abound. Travel for local people is less restrictive because they can go in any direction on snowmachines over snowy tundra and frozen rivers. However, hypothermia and getting lost in snowstorms are challenges. The average temperature for this time is 5ºF, with possible highs of 37ºF and lows of -48ºF.
Spring is short, from early April to the end of May. This is "breakup" time when snow and frozen rivers are melting. The rivers get choked with cracked ice and the snow is soggy, so the easiest traveling is by plane. However, fog at this time of the year can make flying a challenge . The average temperature for this time is 25ºF, with possible highs of 76ºF and lows of -35ºF.
Summer-like weather lasts from early June to mid August. Kobuk Valley National Park is about 150 miles from the Arctic Ocean, so ocean breezes are too far away to moderate the summer heat. Mosquitoes are feisty in June and July. The average temperature for this time is 50ºF, with possible highs of 122ºF and lows of 25ºF.
Fall conditions last from mid August to mid October. The sky is often bright with sunshine and the fall colors on the tundra rival that of any hardwood forest. This is the time when people pick a lot of berries. Fewer mosquitoes makes picking blueberries, salmonberries and cranberries a popular activity. The average temperature for this time is 38ºF, with possible highs of 78ºF and lows of -4ºF.
Snow or freezing temperatures may occur at any time of the year, so always bring gear for wet and cold weather.
