If you are looking for a unique travel experience, explore the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes at Kobuk Valley National Park in Alaska. They are the largest sand dunes in the Arctic region, located 40 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The sand stands over 100 feet tall, and the three clusters of dunes cover 25 square miles.
To get to the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, one must travel to Kotzebue, Alaska, and hire a bush pilot. They are able to land their Cessna 206 on a pseudo-runway, which is an experience all its own. The pilot will wait for as long as possible while guests explore the area on foot.
Jim Rood, who was the bush pilot for Northwestern Aviation in 2003 has retired since these photos were taken. His website, however, www.alaskaonyourown.com is being maintained by Eric Sieh, who is a full time pilot for Hageland Aviation in Kotzebue. He runs bush trips on the side.
A trip like this would be great for several reasons. It offers a chance to explore unaltered wilderness. A bush flight also provides a scenic flight and trips for hiking, camping, river floating, and wilderness fishing. In addition, a trip to this remote part of Alaska is away from common tourism, providing excellent wildlife photography opportunities.
More info:
Kobuk Valley National Park
Alaska On Your Own
What do you think of these dunes? Have you ever been north of the Arctic Circle? Please comment and "Share This" with others.
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Comments
Wow, I had no idea there were sand dunes in Alaska! Cool:-)
Not a place I would've expected sand dunes, that's for sure. They're beautiful and I wouldn't have seen them without your photos!
How neat I've never heard of these dunes and certainly wouldn't have imagined them in Alaska
Some views of Alaska we seldom see. Did going on those small planes make you think of becoming a bush pilot? Years ago I took one of those flights and thought, "If I were younger, I might like to grow up to be a bush pilot." Alas, I was already more than grown up, so didn't do it.
I learned something new today! Great job.
Wow! that looks a wild place. Well done.
I flew the Kobuk River area back when Alaska was a Terrritory. The dunes were quite a remarkable thing to fly over and I never got tired of trips up the Kobuk to Shungnak and Kobuk villages. Just up the river, I think, is the famous Jade Mountain that Gene Joiner had homsteaded way back when. You are right, a trip to the Kobuk reason would be an incredible adventure for those who think a cruise up the Inland Passage is seeing Alaska.
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