Krakoff – Noatak Canoe

GUIDED ALASKA Private

close
VIEW ALL TRIPS

Krakoff – Noatak Canoe

View itinerary
Reservation request

DATES

August 24, 2023 - August 29, 2023

REGION

Gates of the Arctic

TRIP COST

$8,000

calendar

DATES

August 24, 2023 - August 29, 2023
region

REGION

Gates of the Arctic
price

TRIP COST

$8,000

Join Arctic Wild on a wilderness canoe trip in Gates of the Arctic National Park for six days of canoeing, hiking and wildlife in Alaska’s biggest wilderness. This is canoe camping at its best, with fun paddling, great wildlife encounters, and endless hiking opportunities. There are few places in Alaska’s arctic where we so reliably see wildlife.

TRIP DETAILS

Far north of the Arctic Circle in the heart of Gates of the Arctic National Park, the Noatak River is an arctic gem. From its headwaters in the granite peaks around Mt. Igikpak, it flows west through glacier-capped peaks and rolling tundra for over 400 miles to the Chukchi Sea. There is no better place to experience the wilderness and wildlife of the Brooks Range than on the Noatak River.

The upper Noatak offers some of the best hiking in the arctic and to fish for arctic grayling, northern pike, arctic char and lake trout.  Fall colors will be at their peak, and blueberries are fully ripe. Wildflowers like grass of Parnassus and arctic poppies will grace the tundra with the last of the summer’s blooms.

The open country makes wildlife sightings a daily experience on the Noatak. We almost always see wolves, fox, moose and Dall sheep. Small bands of caribou from the western arctic caribou herd migrate through the Noatak valley on their way to wintering grounds south of the Brooks Range.

While paddling the Noatak we pass two salmon spawning streams. These are excellent and safe places to watch grizzly bears feeding. Birders will not be disappointed. Passerines and waterfowl wing through the Noatak every fall, stopping over in the many lush willow thickets and rich ponds of the broad valley.

In addition to the natural wonders of the area, the Noatak also has a rich human history signs of ancient and historic Inupiat life can be found near the deep lakes and across the tundra.

The Noatak flows along smoothly on this stretch, with current enough to keep us moving, but if the wind blows opposite the current we will have to work to reach camp at each days end. With 40 miles to cover and 4 paddling days on the trip, we will need to cover some miles when in the canoes. But there should also be lots of time to relax and explore. Towards the end of the trip the river picks up speed and we get to ride the current to the take-out.

Previous river experience is not required to paddle canoes, instruction is provided by guides, but we highly encourage you to practice your canoe skills before the trip. A moving water canoe class from ACA or similar would be very helpful.

Last updated: January 11, 2023

Itinerary

What follows is a general flow of events. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.

August 23

Meet your guide for a pre-trip meeting in Fairbanks at 4pm at Arctic Wild headquarters.

August 24

It’s a long day.  We fly north from Fairbanks over the Yukon River and Arctic Circle to the tiny community of Bettles.  From Bettles we charter a plane into the Gates of the Arctic National Park.  We’ll land near the river with mountains all around. If the mood strikes us, we will assemble the canoes and paddle for a bit. Or we might elect to explore our surroundings on foot and save the paddling for the next day.

August 25- 28

We’ll canoe our way down the Noatak.  On days when we travel, we will spend a least 6 hours on the river paddling about 15 miles each day.  Depending on water levels and our progress towards the take-out there will be time to spend a full layover day hiking. We can climb peaks from every camp, but there is also lots of good walking along the river, or up pretty tundra creeks.  There will be free time each and every day after camp is pitched.  The long evening is yours to enjoy the golden arctic sunlight.

August 29

Clean up and pack our gear. Weather permitting, we’ll catch our return flight back up the Noatak, over a great many mountains and then on to Fairbanks. Remove rubber boots!

 

I know I’ll never forget the trip. I find myself on guard these days against what I call the Noatak Diversion — a simple sound or smell or circumstance that transports me instantly to the river and memories so powerful that the next thing I know, many minutes have passed and I’m sitting there with a goofy grin on my face.

A welcome surprise was the gorgeous weather for most of the trip. I had expected cloud and rain and wind and cold, and we got lots of sun, our fair share of wind for sure, and not too much cold or rain. I didn’t realize before the trip that the area was technically a desert, based on annual precipitation.

Thanks also to Michael Wald for making it all happen, and running such a first-class outfitter, as well as his untiring work on behalf of Alaskan Arctic conservation.

 

- Tom, Cape Town, South Africa

DETAILS

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Round-trip airfare from Fairbanks

Food while in the wilderness, stoves, cooking & eating utensils

Boats, paddles, life jackets, safety & repair gear

Professional guide service

Select Camping Equipment is available from Arctic Wild

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Non-camp lodging

Non-camp meals

Personal clothing and gear, See full equipment list.

Fishing gear, and fishing license

Gratuity for guide(s)

WEATHER & BUGS

Temperatures vary dramatically in the Arctic. Temperatures range from the 20s to 70s, averaging in the high 50’s. Cold rains are likely and snow is possible, but we can get sunny weather this time of the year too.  Mosquitoes should not be a problem on this trip, but a few flies could still be bothersome. Traveling with insect repellent (DEET) and a head-net is always prudent.

RECOMMENDED READING

Nunamiut by Helge Ingstadt

We Live in the Arctic by Constance Helmericks

Land of Extremes by Alex Huryn

A Thousand Trails Home by Seth Kantner

People of the Noatak by Clair Fejes

More Alaska reading is available from our Bookstore

Ready for your adventure?
Find out what's next.

  1. Fill out the Reservation Request form
  2. We will contact you to discuss your trip
  3. Secure your trip with a deposit
  4. We will send you a detailed packing list
  5. Book your flights and accommodations
Reservation Request
ASK A QUESTION
"The wilderness was spectacular, the leadership perfect."
"I am just finishing my tenth trip with you guys. As always, the trip was more than I expected and I had a great time. See you next year!"
"Of all outfitters with whom we have worked (and that is quite a number), you were by far the most organized and responsive."
"That feeling of wide open wonder, the possibilities for nearly limitless wandering, and the image of those proud caribou...that will stay with me a long time"
"Our guide was an encyclopedia on legs. He was always willing and ready to teach, to talk, to listen, to do another hike, or to lie low in camp if we were beat. He truly gave us the trip we wanted!"
client client client client client
Eileen - Canning River
ASK US A QUESTION
REQUEST A RESERVATION