The Land

The Kobuk is home to the largest caribou herd, The Western Arctic Caribou Herd. Their numbers range near a half a million. They cross this region every year near the villages of Ambler, Shungnak, and Kobuk. The Onion Portage below Ambler is a great place to observe them as they cross the Kobuk River by the hundreds and thousands in the fall, winter, and spring months.

The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes are located below the village Ambler. You can hike the dunes in the summer and fall months.

Big game such as black bear, brown bear, moose, and caribou roam the area. Occasionally you may see musk ox. Smaller animals such as wolf, fox, and coyote are seen year round.

Fishing from the rivers and streams are great for sheefish, trout, Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike, Arctic Char, and chum salmon in the summer and fall months. You can also fish in the winter for grayling, burbot, and white fish.