Things To Do in Alaska

This town sits at the northwest end of Baldwin Peninsula in Iotzebue Sound which is 30 miles above the Arctic Circle. It is a popular stop for visitors who want to see a bit of the Arctic landscape. This area is a haven for wildlife and people come to see the migrating waterfowl. Kotzebue has long winters and cool summers with the average temperature in July around 58 degrees. Kotzebue Sound is surrounded by federal lands that protect both wildlife and archaeological sites. The Kobuk, Noatak and Selawik rivers that flow into the sound are favorites for rafters and kayakers. Hiking, fishing and hunting are also favorite activities.

Independence Mine State Historical Park is a huge, abandoned gold mine at the top of Hatcher Pass. The park was established in 1980 and the state has worked to restore the buildings and tunnels of the second most productive hardrock gold mine in Alaska. Visitors can explore the mine and surrounding area on foot by themselves or as part of a tour. Tours are offered twice daily. There is a visitor’s center and museum where you will see displays about mining, natural history and the story of the mine.The visitor center is only open in the summer but the park is open all year. This park is a favorite for hiking in the summer and cross-country skiing, sledding and snowmobiling in the winter.