Activities in Kotzebue
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Paddling the Noatak National Wild River
The Noatak National Wild River is a 16-day, 350-mile float from Lake Matcharak to the village of Noatak, where Bering Air (www.beringair.com) has scheduled flights to Kotzebue. However, the numerous access lakes on the river allow it to be broken down into shorter paddles. The entire river is rated from Class I to II. The upper portion, in the Brooks Range, offers much more dramatic scenery and is usually accessed from Bettles.
The lower half, accessed through Kotzebue, flows through a broad, gently sloping valley where hills replace the sharp peaks of the Brooks Range. The most common trip here is to put in at Nimiuktuk River where, within an hour of paddling, you enter …
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Paddling the Kobuk National Wild River
Trips along the Kobuk National Wild River often consist of floats from Walker Lake traveling 140 miles downstream to the villages of Kobuk or Ambler. From these villages there are scheduled flights to both Kotzebue and Bettles, another departure point for this river. Bering Air Service (www.beringair.com) can transport you and your gear from either Kobuk or Ambler to Kotzebue.
Most of the river is rated Class I, but some lining of boats may be required just below Walker Lake and for a mile through Lower Kobuk Canyon. Paddlers usually plan on six to eight days for the float. For more information contact the Innaigvik Public Lands Information & Education Center before you d…
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Arctic Circle Education Adventures
Arctic Circle Education Adventures has a couple offerings that may well be the best way to crack the nut of Kotzebue. If you're just in town for the day, its four-hour custom tour will take you to look for birds - from swans to short-eared owls - explore the tundra and meet Inupiat residents.
Better yet, stick around for a few days and get the real Bush experience at owner LaVonne Hendricks' fish camp, five miles south of town, where you can hike, beachcomb and participate in the local subsistence lifestyle.
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Northwest Alaska Backcountry Rentals
Canoes, rafts and other gear are available through Northwest Alaska Backcountry Rentals in Kotzebue.
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