The best camping near Kobuk Valley National Park

Twenty-five miles north of the Arctic Circle, Kobuk Valley National Park straddles Alaska's boreal forest and Arctic tundra. Within the park’s 1.7 million acres, the periglacial Kobuk River meanders through the park’s tundra, a wilderness home to grizzly bear, moose, and caribou. The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, an incredible 20,500-acre dune field, is one of the park’s most popular destinations. With no roads, trails, or services in this remote park, most visitors arrive by bush plane and camp or backpack entirely self-sufficiently. You can also take a guided rafting trip down the Kobuk or Salmon River with a local outfitter. Flightseeing and day trips are available via air taxi.

• There are no established campgrounds within the park. All sites are backcountry sites, and visitors are free to choose where they camp.
• Popular camping destinations include the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes and Onion Portage to view the late summer caribou migration.
• To discuss camping options, itineraries, and logistics with a park ranger, contact the park’s Northwest Arctic Heritage Center in Kotzebue at (907) 442-3890.

Due to its arctic climate, Kobuk Valley National Park is best for summer camping. Summer highs range from the 60s to 80s, but lows can still reach freezing, and rain, snow, and strong wind are always possible. Summer days are also extremely long due to the park’s northern latitude—from June 3 to July 9, the sun doesn’t even set up here. Bring an eye mask to ensure you can still sleep when it’s bright outside in the middle of the night. One of the park’s most exciting events is the caribou migration, which occurs in late summer and peaks around Labor Day.

• While there are no reservations required for the park’s backcountry camping, you will need to coordinate your entry/exit plans with an air taxi. There is no cell phone service within the park, but satellite phones do work.
• There are no roads within or leading into the park. Visitors typically fly into Kotzebue or Bettles from Fairbanks, and then fly from one of these towns into the park using an authorized air taxi service. 
• With no services or trails, backcountry skills like navigation, orienteering, and water filtration are key. Weather monitoring is also important, as it may impact air travel. Consult with a ranger to make sure you’re prepared for your trip.
• Because the park is home to both black and brown bears, it is essential that campers carry bear spray and use a bear-proof container to store food, garbage, and toiletries. Containers are available at the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center.
• Summer mosquitos in Alaska are also no joke. Long pants, long sleeve shirts, bug spray, and a head net can go a long way to ensuring a pleasant visit.