Nearby Attractions

Aerial photo of Kotzebue, Alaska

NPS Photo/Dana Sharp

Although Kotzebue is not located within the national park, most visitors find themselves spending a fair amount of time exploring town and the immediate area while they wait for their chartered flights. If you are visiting Kotzebue for the first time, it is important to know more about the region and land ownership.

The Native Village of Kotzebue is the Federally-recognized Tribal government representing the Qikiqtaġruŋmiut, the original inhabitants of the area of northwest Alaska surrounding modern-day Kotzebue (Qikiqtaġruk). Kotzebue lies at the tip of the Baldwin Peninsula. Most of the land surrounding Kotzebue is owned and managed by the Kikiktagruk Iñupiat Corporation (KIC) and the NANA, Alaska Native Corporations. Some activities may require permission or a permit, consult with KIC or NANA respectively.

 

Things to See

• Hiking- There is an 8-mile loop road that leads out of town and crosses the tundra, offering excellent walking opportunities along both the beach and the shoreline of Kotzebue Sound.
• Birding- Take a hike out of town on the loop road and you could find birds from any of the seven continents. Don't forget your binoculars.
• Fishing- located at the end of a peninsula on the Kotzebue Sound, town is surround by water with opportunities to catch sheefish, tomcod, herring, and even salmon. Anglers should consult with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for fishing permit requirments.

Northwest Arctic Heritage Center

This is the headquarters and primary visitor center for Western Arctic National Parklands, which manages Kobuk Valley National Park, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, and Noatak National Preserve.

• Museum and exhibits about Arctic ecology and Iñupiaq subsistence practices
• Various films about the parks, the region, and other Alaska points of interest are available on demand.
• Ranger lead programs and activities. Check locally for planned activites

Northwest Arctic Borough

The Northwest Arctic Borough is the second largest borough in the state of Alaska and is headquartered in Kotzebue.

• Sulianjich Art Center is a nonprofit organization that markets the work of Northwest Alaskan artists.
• Community events.

Contact the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center at 907-442-3890 for more information about opportunities and activies around Kotzebue. Or reach out to the other organizations or government bodies in the region.