The sun never fully sets in July, and never fully rises in January; welcome to Kobuk Valley National Park.
— Casual Observer
Date Created: December 2, 1980.
Location: Northwestern Alaska, USA.
Size: Approximately 1,750,716 acres (708,337 hectares).
Entirely above the Arctic Circle surrounded by the Baird and Waring mountain ranges Kobuk Valley is wilderness at its finest. Certainly the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes distinguish this breathtaking work of nature from all other dune fields on earth. The park’s website explains, “Over time, the slow, grinding advance and retreat of the glaciers ground the rocks beneath them into a fine sand which was blown by the wind into the sheltered, ice free Kobuk Valley.” Our flight into this landscape of deep canyons, majestic mountains, boreal forests, rivers, waterfalls, glaciers, and crystal clear deep turquoise ponds was incredible. The landing on the sandy dunes was epic – smooth sailing with touchdown almost imperceptible. Among the seemingly barren, sandy landscape beautiful wildflowers bloomed. The peace and quiet provided tranquility that begged time to stand still – just one moment more.
