A Bit Of An Unexpected Natural Wonder, Few People Know There Are Sand Dunes Hiding In Alaska
By Megan McDonald|Published April 24, 2023
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Megan McDonald
Author
Megan McDonald is a writer, photographer, and owner of humu media, an Alaska-based digital media agency. She spends her free time traveling with her husband and daughter around the US and the world.
Picture this: towering sand dunes rising to 100 feet high, stretching as far as the eye can see, set against a backdrop of rugged mountains and pristine wilderness. It may sound like something out of a dream, but this magical place is called Kobuk Valley National Park in Alaska. Alaska is home to some of the most unique and striking natural wonders you’ll ever see and the Kobuk Valley sand dunes are a true wonder of the world!
If you're looking for an adventure in the wilds of Alaska, look no further than the sand dunes at Kobuk Valley National Park.
The park is located in the remote reaches of northwestern Alaska, and the only way to reach it is by a small plane or helicopter. The nearest major city is Fairbanks, which is about 500 miles away. From Fairbanks, you can take a commercial flight or charter a private plane to the nearby communities of Kotzebue or Nome, where you'll need to arrange for a small plane or helicopter to take you the rest of the way to the park. It's a long and sometimes challenging journey, but the stunning beauty of the sand dunes and the surrounding wilderness make it all worthwhile.
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The sand dunes of Kobuk Valley are a marvel to behold. Spanning more than 25 square miles, they rise up to 100 feet tall and stretch as far as the eye can see.
They're made up of sand that was deposited by glacial meltwater over 10,000 years ago. Over time, the sand was shaped by the wind, creating the unique dune formations we see today.
Exploring the dunes is a one-of-a-kind experience.
Visitors can hike up and down the steep slopes, feeling the soft sand beneath their feet and marveling at the incredible views from the top. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try sandboarding or sand sledding down the dunes. It's an exhilarating rush that's sure to get your heart racing.
But the dunes aren't the only attraction at Kobuk Valley National Park.
The park is also home to pristine wilderness areas, clear lakes and rivers, and an abundance of wildlife. If you're lucky, you might spot caribou, wolves, grizzly bears, or other creatures that call this remote region home.
For those seeking a true escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life, Kobuk Valley National Park is the perfect destination.
With its breathtaking sand dunes, unspoiled wilderness, and abundance of wildlife, it's a place where you can truly disconnect from the world and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.
Have you ever visited the Kobuk Valley sand dunes? What did you think? Were they spectacular? Let us know in the comments below!
