Hiking

Hiking in Kobuk Valley is all backcountry travel, so be prepared for a wilderness experience.

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Hiking Details

Kobuk Valley National Park's 1,795,280 acres of backcountry offers unlimited hiking routes, as long as you are experienced in navigation and wilderness travel. The lower elevations in the park can be challenging with brushy and marshy areas with soggy and water-logged areas, including the areas along the Kobuk River. The high tundra is easier going as it is drier and firmer. The ridgelines of the Baird Mountains can be explored on multi-day or even multi-week trips. The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes are about a four-hour hike round trip (depending on your orienteering skills) from the Kobuk River. The area near Onion Portage also offers good hiking once you have gained the bluff above the river. Remember this is a wilderness park so there are no maintained trails or roads. There are private land parcels along the Kobuk River, so please stay away from any signs of personal property, cabins, or buildings. Leave No Trace practices are encouraged. Keep in mind that the entire park is bear country so practice responsible bear country practices. Bear resistant food containers are available from the park service in Kotzebue and Bettles. Backcountry permits are not required for independent travelers. Organized and commercial groups are required to have a permit (call the chief ranger at 907-442-3890). If you do not have the skills and experience to hike Kobuk, consider hiring a guide to take you. There are several guide services that offer trips in the park. For a list of companies authorized to provide these services, visit the park service's [Alaska Regional Office site] (https://www.nps.gov/akso/management/concession_docs/CSD/CSD-KOVA-2015.pdf).

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