Sandwiched between two of Alaska’s pristine protected areas and straddling the mighty Noatak River is the largely indigenous settlement of Noatak. Make this town your starting point for an exploration of the tundra, boreal forests and caribou territory of the Arctic. Noatak has a population of just over 500 residents but it teems with indigenous culture and welcomes visitors with open arms.
Served by a small gravel airstrip and inaccessible by road, Noatak is truly remote. The town is the only settlement on the more than 425-mile-long (680-kilometer) Noatak River, which is considered to be the only river system in the United States unaltered by human activity. Discover the natural beauty surrounding you by floating down the river, an adventurous and breathtaking way to discover Alaska’s arctic region. Plan for a trip of several days to four weeks.
Recreational hunters flock to Noatak during the hunting season due to the town’s proximity to the Noatak National Preserve. While protected as both a national monument and a national preserve, its more than 6.5 million acres (2.6 million hectares) are open to both sustenance and sports hunting. Due to its remoteness, tour operators are sparse. Hire a guide as part of a packaged hunting tour.
To experience the region’s wildlife without disturbing the natural beauty, visit the Cape Krusenstern National Monument, which does not allow sports hunting. The national monument reaches the shores of the icy Chukchi Sea and is home to caribou, bears, moose, wolves and many species of birds.
Noatak is the end point for many of the rafting tours that traverse the Noatak River and has basic amenities. Reach the town by boat, raft or air. Find some accommodations in the town, along with a general store and medical services. Visit the region between June and September when the river thaws and access becomes easier than during other times of the year.
