Kobuk River in Kobuk Valley National Park

Kobuk River

The Kobuk River is a major thoroughfare through the park and can be paddled throughout

Plan Around Kobuk River

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Kobuk River Details

Of the 350-mile Kobuk River, 61 miles pass through the park. The Kobuk is a slow-moving, low gradient river perfect for collapsible canoes, kayaks, and small rafts. Most boaters opt to fly in using a commercial transporter and then float down to one of the major towns. For a rough estimate on timing, most boaters take 5-7 days to get from Ambler to Kiana. The only portion of the river with serious rapids is the 8 miles of river just below Walker Lake. Most paddlers portage this section due to its risks. As this river is entirely in the backcountry, visitors looking to paddle in the park should have advanced knowledge of Alaskan rivers and be experienced with backcountry paddling. If you are interested in signing up for a commercially guided trip, call the park at (907) 442-3890 to inquire about local operators currently running trips.

Difficulty

Open

Distance

N/A

Estimated time

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Region

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Nearby Parks Around Kobuk River

Compare nearby parks around Kobuk River when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

32.3 mi away

Kobuk Valley

National Park · AK

171.4 mi away

Gates Of The Arctic

National Park & Preserve · AK

345.5 mi away

Denali

National Park · AK

487.9 mi away

Lake Clark

National Park · AK

538.2 mi away

Kenai Fjords

National Park · AK

592.9 mi away

Katmai

National Park · AK

Nearby Points of Interest Around Kobuk River

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Kobuk River while the map context is still fresh.

0.2 mi away

Ambler

Ambler is one of the larger towns nearby the park and has some visitor services

11.9 mi away

Onion Portage

Onion Portage is one of the park's central features and reasons for establishment.

12.6 mi away

Little Kobuk Sand Dunes

The Little Kobuk Sand Dunes is one of the three active dunes in the park

14.3 mi away

Giddings Cabin

This historic cabin is not available for public use, but makes for a great location to watch the sunrise and sunset.

28.6 mi away

Great Sand Dunes

The Great Sand Dunes are a must-see when visiting the park