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Wilderness Adventure

As one of North America's largest mountain-ringed river basins with an intact ecosystem, the Noatak River environs features some of the Arctic's finest arrays of plants and animals. The river is classified as a national wild and scenic river, and offers stunning wilderness float-trip opportunities - from deep in the Brooks Range to the tidewater of the Chukchi Sea.
 
View of the Lower Noatak Canyon, Noatak River from the air

The Noatak River

The river offers equally superlative wilderness float-trip opportunities -- from deep in the Brooks Range to tidewater of the Chukchi Sea, Noatak National Preserve lies almost completely enclosed by the Baird and De Long mountains of the Brooks Range.
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Image of fish drying on a rack in Kotzebue

Subsistence

Alaska’s abundance of natural resources forms the backbone of life and economy of many people of Alaska. Today, as in the past, many Alaskans live off the land, relying on fish, wildlife and other wild resources.
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Image moose in the preserve

Biosphere Reserve

The Noatak basin is internationally recognized as a Biosphere Reserve. Under this United Nations scientific program the area's ecological and genetic components are monitored to establish baseline data for measuring changes in other ecosystems worldwide.
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Write to

National Park Service
P.O. Box 1029
Kotzebue, AK 99752

Phone

Headquarters and Visitor Information
(907) 442-3890

Summer Visitor Information
(907) 442-3760

Fax

(907) 442-8316

Climate

Expect high winds throughout the year and short, mild, cool summers. Experience 24 hours of daylight for one month and a long, severe, harsh, extremely cold winter with about one hour of daylight by December 1. The area receives 10-12" precipitation annually. For back country hiking/camping, wear plenty of warm clothing, dress in layers, and use rain gear. Wear sturdy hiking boots and waders for wet terrain.
Communities Surrounding Noatak National Preserve
Note: The times listed below are approximate driving times to the park.