Noatak National Preserve

Noatak National Preserve protects the Noatak River Basin in northwestern Alaska, a vast, roadless landscape north of the Arctic Circle known for the Noatak River, widely regarded as the last complete river system in the United States left unaltered by human activity. Created from federal designations between 1976 and 1980, it includes most of the huge Noatak Wilderness and preserves a transition from boreal forest to tundra and alpine tundra. The area supports bears, moose, wolves, Dall sheep, major caribou herds, and rich fish habitat. Its human history stretches back thousands of years through Iñupiat communities, later exploration, and gold rush-era visitors.

Kiana, Alaska · United States