Noatak National Preserve

A huge spray of northern lights is reflected in a tiny sliver of water in the Noatak River. This image was captured in early September at 2:30 in the morning.
As one of North America's largest mountain-ringed river basins with an intact ecosystem, the Noatak River environs feature some of the Arctic's finest arrays of plants and animals. The river is classified as a National Wild and Scenic River. It offers stunning wilderness float-trip opportunities - from deep in the Brooks Range to the tidewater of the Chukchi Sea.
Map showing location of park.
A ram works its way across steep terrain
State and Federal sheep hunts in the DeLong Mountains hunt area of Game Management Units 23 and 26A, the Baird Mountains hunt area of Game Management Unit 23, and Unit 23 Remainder (Schwatka Mountains) except for that portion within Gates of the Arctic Na
The Superintendent of Western Arctic National Parklands announces that the seasons for the Federal Subsistence Dall’s Sheep hunts within portions of Game Management Units (GMUs) 23 and 26A will remain closed for the regulatory year beginning July 1, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2025.
Smoke trails from wildland dire in the tundra.
Increased smoke visible from two wildfires in the Noatak National Preserve
Due to warm, dry, and windy conditions, two wildfires in Noatak National Preserve have increased in size over the weekend. The 135-Tututalak and 131-Urgoon fires were first observed by the Galena Fire Management Zone Office on June 13, 2024.
Hazy image from wildfire smoke. Smoke rising from the tundra below a spotter airplane.
First Confirmed Wildland Fires of the Season Detected in Noatak National Preserve
The first confirmed wildland fires of the season have been detected in Noatak National Preserve. On June 13th, fires were reported by the Galena Fire Management Zone Office. The cause of the fires is undetermined at this time.
Muskox stands on opposite side of Noatak River
Federal customary and traditional muskoxen hunt
Western Arctic National Parklands opens the muskox (UMIŊMAK) federal subsistence permit lottery on Monday, June 3, 2024 The National Park Service at the Western Arctic National Parklands will be issuing federal subsistence hunting permits for two muskox hunts – FX2312 and FX2303 – in Game Management Unit (GMU) 23 NW. The season is August 1, 2024 – March 15, 2025. A total of three (3) federal subsistence permits will be issued (one for FX2312 and two for FX2303). 
Two elders discuss traditional place names along the NOatak River.
Noatak Placenames collaborators recognized &
Noatak, AK The National Park Service (NPS) office in Kotzebue, Alaska, is pleased to announce a new annual award, the Eileen DeVinney Award. For the inaugural Eileen DeVinney Award, NPS staff traveled to the Native Village of Noatak to thank the Noatak Placenames project 2023 field team: Hilda Booth, Thurston Booth, Ricky Ashby, and James Adams.
green northern lights
Photo by NPS Photo
Light and shadows on mountains
Photo by NPS Photo
mountain refection on calm lake
Photo by NPS Photo
bear walking along river
Photo by NPS Photo
small plane taking off
Photo by NPS Photo