Cape Krusenstern National Monument - National Park Directory

Muskox and Greater White-fronted Geese on vegetated beach ridges in front of the Igichuk Hills.

January light and a bright moon at 2 pm over the Igichuk Hills in Cape Krusenstern National Monument.

Beach ridges created by years of wave action during storms can be seen as parallel lines in the fall vegetation covering the old gravel.

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.

A University of Washington archeology crew conducts research on an old semi-subterranean house along the beach ridges of Cape Krusenstern. Old house timbers are slowly revealed about 4 feet down

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.

Quick Facts

State Alaska

Designation National Monument

State Code AK

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…

Location & Map

Cape Krusenstern National Monument is located in Alaska.

Get Directions

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.

Wednesday All Day

Monday All Day

Thursday All Day

Sunday All Day

Tuesday All Day

Friday All Day

Saturday All Day

Activities

Camping Backcountry Camping Flying Fixed Wing Flying Hands-On Arts and Crafts Hiking Backcountry Hiking Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore 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

Address 171 3rd Ave, Kotzebue, AK, 99752

Phone 9073182230

Email wear_webmail@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

Archeology Colonization and Settlement Animals Birds Arctic Tundra Night Sky Aurora Borealis Unique Species

Things To Do

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

Amazing birding opportunities await the adventurers that visit Cape Krusenstern.

Flying to Radio Hill

Landscape view of vast tundra and rolling Igichuk Hills.

Radio Hill is one of very few locations where aircraft can land in the park. Plenty of hiking and camping…

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…

Hours: 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.

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