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National Monument · Alaska

Cape Krusenstern National Monument

National Monument in Alaska. No entrance fee.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Monument
StateAlaska
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkKobuk Valley (112 mi)
Closest airportOTZ (44 mi)
muskox standing on the tundra
Muskox and Greater White-fronted Geese on vegetated beach ridges in front of the Igichuk Hills. Photo: NPS Photo

Cape Krusenstern National Monument is a national monument run by the National Park Service in Alaska.

In the park service’s words

A bridge to the past and a land for the future, Cape Krusenstern National Monument protects approximately 560,000 acres of diverse Arctic coastal, and upland ecosystems. Inhabited by the Iñupiaq people since time-immemorial, over 5,000 years of sequential human use is documented in the 114 successive beach ridges. Rich connections to the land and waters are preserved through subsistence practices.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

  • Visit the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center (30 to 120 Minutes): Trying to figure out where to go and what to do in Northwest Alaska? The Northwest Arctic Heritage Center is a great place to meet rangers and acquire information on Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Kobuk Valley National Park, and Noatak National Preserve.
  • Birdwatching at Krusenstern Lagoon (1 to 7 Days): Amazing birding opportunities await the adventurers that visit Cape Krusenstern.
  • Flying to Radio Hill (3 to 7 Days): Landscape view of vast tundra and rolling Igichuk Hills.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Open 24 hours, every day. Since there are no roads into Cape Krusenstern National Monument, the visitor center is located at the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center in Kotzebue, AK. From Kotzebue, visitors will charter an air taxi to transport them into the actual national monument which is open 24/7 every day of the year.

Getting there

Cape Krusenstern National Monument lies within a remote area of northwest Alaska and is bordered by the Arctic Ocean and Chukchi Sea. Visitors generally access the monument via the regional hub in Kotzebue. Commercial airlines provide daily service from Anchorage to Kotzebue. Chartered flights with licensed air taxi services, booked in advance, can take backcountry travelers to remote destinations within the monument.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Ralph Wien Memorial Airport (OTZ) Kotzebue, AK No road route 44 Regional
Bob Baker Memorial Airport (IAN) Kiana, AK No road route 87 Regional
Deering Airport (DRG) Deering, AK No road route 95 Regional
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) Anchorage, AK No road route 589 Large hub

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

  • Northwest Arctic Heritage Center: Mon 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Tue 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Wed 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Thu 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Fri 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Sat Closed; Sun Closed. The Northwest Arctic Heritage Center is open year round. Our typical hours are listed above, and you can always call us to confirm hours for a specific date at (907) 442-3890.

Weather

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).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Kobuk Valley, about 112 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Cape Krusenstern National Monument?

No entrance fee.

Where is Cape Krusenstern National Monument?

In Alaska. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Ralph Wien Memorial Airport, about 44 miles away.

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