Kobuk Valley National Park covers 1,750,716 acres in Alaska. It became a national park on December 2, 1980, the 42nd of today’s 64 parks to get that title. It recorded 7,786 recreation visits in 2025, the 63rd most of the 63 parks with a 2025 count.
Today at Kobuk Valley
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Alerts: National Park Service, checked hourly. Forecast: National Weather Service, for the middle of the park. Always confirm on the official park site before you set out.
In the park service’s words
Caribou, sand dunes, the Kobuk River, Onion Portage - just some of the facets of Kobuk Valley National Park. Thousands of caribou migrate through, their tracks crisscrossing sculpted dunes. The Kobuk River is an ancient and current corridor for people and wildlife. For 9000 years, people came to Onion Portage to harvest caribou as they swam the river. Even today, that rich tradition continues.
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Entrance fee and passes
No entrance fee is listed for this park in National Park Service data. You do not need a pass to enter. Parking, ferry, boat or other transport fees can still apply.
Best time to visit
- Best time to visit Kobuk Valley: July. The weather is at its most comfortable then, and crowds are lighter than at the peak.
- Busiest month: August, with about 2,037 visits in a typical recent year. That is 2.9 times as many as February.
- Quietest month: February (711 visits).
Bar height: visitors that month, compared with the busiest month. Temperatures: average daily high and low (°F); rain and snow: monthly averages. Best marks the months we suggest.
More detail: the best time to visit Kobuk Valley, month by month.
Plan your visit
- Best time to visit: crowds and weather month by month
- Things to do: 0 hikes and 3 other activities
- Getting there: closest airport Ambler Airport (40 mi)
- Know before you go: safety, what to pack and what to leave at home
Weather, in the park service’s words
The park service says:
Snow, rain, and freezing temperatures can occur any time of the year. Always travel with good quality rain gear and warm layers. Be especially careful to stay dry. Hypothermia can set in on a windy, wet day, even when it doesn't feel that cold.
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Nearby national parks
- Gates of the Arctic (Alaska): about 158 miles in a straight line
- Denali (Alaska): about 385 miles in a straight line
- Lake Clark (Alaska): about 487 miles in a straight line
- Kenai Fjords (Alaska): about 602 miles in a straight line
There is no road from Kobuk Valley to another national park; you fly or take a boat between them.
Sources
Last checked 1 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter Kobuk Valley National Park?
No entrance fee is listed for this park in National Park Service data.
What state is Kobuk Valley National Park in?
Alaska.
When did Kobuk Valley become a national park?
December 2, 1980.
How many people visit Kobuk Valley?
7,786 recreation visits were counted in 2025.
When is the best time to visit Kobuk Valley?
July. August is the busiest month and February the quietest while the park is fully open.
