Caribou, sand dunes, the Kobuk River, Onion Portage - just some of the facets of Kobuk Valley National Park. Thousands of caribou migrate through, their tracks crisscrossing sculpted dunes. The Kobuk River is an ancient and current corridor for people and wildlife. For 9000 years, people came to Onion Portage to harvest caribou as they swam the river. Even today, that rich tradition continues.

Kobuk Valley National Park

Caribou migrate across the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, heading north in the summer and south in the fall. Some survive and some don't, which is a reality of life

Left Behind

The setting sun casts shadows of black spruce on the dunes and colors the water of Ahnewetut Creek a deep blue.

Kobuk Sand Dunes

The peaks of the Baird Mountains stretch far into the distance and are so remote that many of them have not been named.

Mountains as Far as the Eye Can See

Oxytropis kobukensis (Kobuk Locoweed) is a member of the pea family and adds a splash of pink to the sand dunes. The blossoms have that typical pea/ bean flower shape that many gardeners know.

Kobuk Locoweed

A quick pause on a canoe trip down the Kobuk River.

Canoe on the Kobuk River

The Jade Mountains reflected in the Kobuk River as seen near Onion Portage.

The Jade Mountains reflected in the Kobuk River

Dark skies shadow the horizon. A rainbow is illuminated above Niaktovik Creek.

A rainbow over Niaktovik Creek

Caribou crossing the Kobuk River in fall.

Kobuk Valley National Park

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