Thing to Do

Float the Kobuk River

Kobuk Valley National Park

The Kobuk River reflecting the sky and clouds on a calm day.

Kobuk Valley National Park

A herd of caribou swimming across the Kobuk River.
A herd of caribou swimming across the Kobuk River.

Photo Credit: Public Domain NPS/L. Ayres

Ranger Recommendation

The Kobuk River is a great place for experienced backcountry campers and intermediate in float trips. Its waters are usually slow and calm, but always check weather conditions as winds can blow upriver so furiously that visitors have had to paddle with the rivers' flow to make any progress. The Kobuk can have more traffic on it depending on the time of year one floats it with local people utilizing it for motorboat transportation and subsistence purposes via fishing and hunting. Please be respectful to all subsistence users while floating the river.

Last updated: October 29, 2020