Noatak, Alaska, US

Twelvemile Creek to Noatak Village

River Description

The Noatak is the longest Wild and Scenic River and largest protected watershed in the country; flowing through a remote wilderness, the river emerges from the Brooks Range in Gates of the Arctic National Park before flowing west through glacier-carved valleys and out onto the open tundra of the Noatak National Preserve. The river is located north of the arctic circle in the far northwest corner of Alaska. It meets the ocean at Kotzebue Sound, a large inlet of the Bering Strait.

Logistics

Take a commerical flight into Bettles and then arrange a bush plane for a flight of about 150 miles to Twelvemile Slough (several alternate access points exist). You will also need to arrange a pick-up somewhere down the river or at the airstrip at Noatak Village. Lat/long are very approximate as is the mileage.

Additional Information

• Gates of the Arctic National Park
• Noatak National Preserve
• Paddling the Noatak on the GORP site.