Cape Krusenstern National Monument

muskox standing on the tundra
Muskox and Greater White-fronted Geese on vegetated beach ridges in front of the Igichuk Hills.
aerial view of beach ridges
Beach ridges created by years of wave action during storms can be seen as parallel lines in the fall vegetation covering the old gravel.
Orange and red sky as the sun sets along the Cape Krusenstern coast. Sun set reflects on the water.
Sunset on the Cape Krusenstern Coast
fish hanging on rack
Pike (left and right) and trout (middle) dry on a rack at a subsistence camp. The slash marks allow more air to circulate and dry the meat more quickly.
moon over snow covered hills
January light and a bright moon at 2 pm over the Igichuk Hills in Cape Krusenstern National Monument.
A multistory tower is pictured in the left foreground. Distant beach ridges and hills in the distanc
Sealing Point Tower at Napaqsraq
Backpacker hikes across green tundra.
Backpacker hikes across green tundra.
Photos: National Park Service

About Cape Krusenstern National Monument

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.

Plan a Visit

NPS DesignationNational Monument
Park State / Territory MembershipAlaska
Current Alerts0
Visitor Centers1
Campgrounds0
Things To Do3

Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.

Weather & Conditions

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.

NPS Reference Location

Park state / territory membership: Alaska. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.

Operating Hours

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.

FridayAll Day
MondayAll Day
SaturdayAll Day
SundayAll Day
ThursdayAll Day
TuesdayAll Day
WednesdayAll Day

Activities

CampingBackcountry CampingFlyingFixed Wing FlyingHands-OnArts and CraftsHikingBackcountry HikingJunior Ranger ProgramWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingMuseum ExhibitsShoppingBookstore and Park Store

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.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.

NPS-Listed Address171 3rd Ave, Kotzebue, AK, 99752

Topics & Themes

ArcheologyColonization and SettlementAnimalsBirdsArcticTundraNight SkyAurora BorealisUnique Species

Things To Do

Visit the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center

Visit the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center

Trying to figure out where to go and what to do in Northwest Alaska? The Northwest Arctic Heritage Center is…

Birdwatching at Krusenstern Lagoon

Birdwatching at Krusenstern Lagoon

Amazing birding opportunities await the adventurers that visit Cape Krusenstern.

Flying to Radio Hill

Flying to Radio Hill

Landscape view of vast tundra and rolling Igichuk Hills.

Visitor Centers

Northwest Arctic Heritage Center

Large, half-dome shaped, blue and grey building with just over 11,000 square feet of space. The museum space is just over 1,800 square feet and…

🗺️ Guided Tours & Experiences

Discover Cape Krusenstern National Monument with expert-led tours

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

🏨 Search Lodging for Cape Krusenstern National Monument

Review lodging results matching this park or site name

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Scroll to Top