Overview
Noatak National Preserve is a very remote national preserve in remote Arctic Alaska. There are no roads nor facilities in the park, making it one of the most difficult-to-get-to destinations in the United States of America.
1 sights
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Noatak National Preserve
Grand Canyon of the Noatak
A spectacular canyon that surrounds the edges of the Noatak River. Fishing is a popular recreation activity on the river, and is wildlife viewing (though you do need a bit of patience).
Plan your trip
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- IAN Bob Baker Memorial Airport, Kiana — 75 mi away. Directions
- ABL Ambler Airport, Ambler — 76 mi away. Directions
Noatak National Preserve is not the easiest park to get into, as there are no roads, and no facilities to the park. As such, all visitors wishing to get into Noatak National Preserve must enter through an authorized travel provider. A full list can be found at the NPS website.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
History
Landscape
Flora and fauna
Climate
Visitor information
There are no facilities (let alone visitor information centers) in Noatak National Preserve, but rather the park's headquarters are 80 mi southwest in Kotzebue.
Place Northwest Arctic Heritage Center
Has park information, travel logistics and contains a great museum all about the Arctic ecosystem and the Indigenous Inupiaq culture. If you need bear resistant containers, they're available to loan.
Get in
Noatak National Preserve is not the easiest park to get into, as there are no roads, and no facilities to the park. As such, all visitors wishing to get into Noatak National Preserve must enter through an authorized travel provider. A full list can be found at the NPS website.
Fees and permits
You do not need an entrance fee nor permit to enter the park if you're organizing a trip for yourself or a small group.
Organized recreation groups will however need a permit. See the NPS website or contact +1 907-442-3890.
See and do
Sleep
There are no lodging sites nor campgrounds in Noatak National Preserve, leaving backcountry camping the only option, meaning, you can choose to camp anywhere you like. Leave-no-trace camping principles should be practiced, as much of the land is unspoiled, and is necessary to keep the pristine landscape the way it is.
Buy, eat, drink
There are no facilities in the park, and all items must be brought.
Nearby
My experience
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