What to See & Do in Kotzebue, Alaska
Cultural & Historical Sites
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Northwest Arctic Heritage Center
Visitor center for Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Kobuk Valley National Park, and Noatak National Preserve with exhibits on Iñupiat culture, arctic wildlife, and local history.
171 3rd Ave, Kotzebue, AK 99752
1-907-442-3890
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Iñupiat Heritage Center
Celebrates Iñupiat traditions and whaling heritage. Exhibits include tools, clothing, sleds, and art; artisans often demonstrate ivory or baleen carving.
5421 N Star St, Kotzebue, AK 99752
1-907-852-0422
Outdoor Adventures & Wilderness
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Kobuk Valley National Park
Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, caribou migration viewing, and backcountry trips. Typically accessed by charter flight from Kotzebue. -
Cape Krusenstern National Monument
Coastal tundra, archeological sites spanning millennia, and sweeping Chukchi Sea views. Day trips and flightseeing available. -
Noatak National Preserve
Remote river basin ideal for float trips and wilderness photography; access primarily via bush plane.
Local Experiences
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Arctic Air Transport
Local charter flights into Kobuk Valley, Cape Krusenstern, and Noatak for flightseeing and drop-off adventures.
Kotzebue Airport, Kotzebue, AK 99752
1-907-442-3200
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Ravn Alaska & Hageland Aviation
Regional air carriers offering scenic flights and transportation to surrounding villages and parklands.
Kotzebue Airport, Kotzebue, AK 99752
1-800-866-8394
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Local Guided Tours
Small outfitters arrange fishing trips, cultural immersion tours, berry picking in summer, dog sledding in winter, and tundra wildlife viewing.
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Arctic Circle wonders
Experience the Midnight Sun in summer and the Northern Lights in winter above the Arctic Circle.
Seasonal Highlights in Kotzebue
| Season | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Spring | Migrating waterfowl on the tundra; early-season fishing; community cultural events. |
| Summer | 24-hour daylight (Midnight Sun); berry picking; boating and fishing; guided cultural tours; charter flights to Kobuk Valley & Cape Krusenstern. |
| Fall | Caribou migration viewing near Kobuk Valley; crisp weather for photography; Northern Lights reappear. |
| Winter | Aurora viewing; dog sledding and snowmobiling; cultural demos; long polar nights. |
