Cape Krusenstern National Monument
|
|
|
courtesy of the National Park Service |
Contact Information:
National Park Service
P.O. Box 1029
Kotzebue, AK 99752
Park Headquarters: 907-442-3890
Summer Visitor Info: 907-442-3760
http://www.nps.gov/cakr/
Size: 649,085 acres
Location: Bordering the Arctic Ocean and Chukchi Sea in northwestern Alaska. Commercial airlines provide service from Anchorage or Fairbanks to Nome or Kotzebue. There are scheduled flights to villages and chartered flights to specific park areas. Summer access may include motorized/non-motorized watercraft, aircraft, or by foot. Winter access may include snowmobiles, aircraft, or by foot.
Facilities: Ranger station (seasonal).
Description: The monument includes a representative example of the Arctic coastline along the Chukchi Sea, and archeological sites located along a succession of 114 lateral beach ridges provide evidence of an estimated 9,000 years of prehistoric human use of this coastline. Large numbers of migratory birds come from all over the world to Cape Krusenstern to nest.
Activities: There are no developed facilities in the Monument. Access in summer is by plane or boat. Winter access is by plane, snowmachine or dogsled. Summer hikes are possible in the Monument although private land lines much of the coast. A hike in the hills provides a spectacular view of tundra landforms and the Chukchi Sea. Kayaking is also possible on several large lagoons, however prevailing westerly winds often bring wind chill factors near below freezing, even in summer. Small planes may be chartered from Kotzebue to access the Monument, or to fly over the area for a view of the beach ridges.Operating Hours: Park is open year around. Headquarters office hours 8:00am to 5:00PM Monday through Friday. Visitor Center 8:00AM to 5:00PM daily, June through September. Arctic winter conditions - snow, ice, wind, and below-freezing temperatures exist in the park from October through April. Temperatures rarely exceed 65 degrees F. in July-August; snow or freezing temperatures may occur any time.
History: Proclaimed on December 1, 1978.
See other National Monuments
See other Alaska National Parks