State Parks and National Parks

Cape Krusenstern is a treeless coastal plain of lagoons and hills. The cape's bluffs and series of 114 beach ridges record changing shorelines of the Chukchi Sea. They also record an estimated 5,000 years of human use of this coastline.

In summer, a tremendous show of wildflowers colors the beach ridges and nearby hills. Huge numbers of birds nest here, and in the fall it is an important waterfowl migratory area.

Primitive camping is available on tundra and river bars. Lodging is available year-round in Kotzebue. Kayaking, backcountry hiking, beach walking, wildlife observation and photography are available at the park.

Headquarters for the Western Arctic National Parklands, comprising Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Noatak National Preserve, Kobuk Valley National Park and Bering Land Bridge National Monument, is in Kotzebue. The visitor center in Kotzebue is open every day during the summer. A field office is also located in Nome, where visitors are welcome to discover and learn about Bering Land Bridge, the Seward Peninsula and Nome's gold mining history.

Daily jet service is available from Anchorage and Fairbanks to Kotzebue. Scheduled air service is available to the parklands and nearby villages. During the summer, with advance arrangement, a boat charter is available.

Photo credits in order: Courtesy of National Park Service. Courtesy of National Park Service.