Arctic Wild: Trip Itineraries
Noatak River Canoe Trip
Download a copy of the Noatak River Canoe Trip Itinerary (PDF, 116 KB)
• Dates: August 16 through 25
Want more time in the wilderness? Combine this trip with the Noatak Backpack (August 9-16) and spend 17 days enjoying Gates of the Arctic. Cost for the Backpack and Canoe is $5900.
• Region: Gates of the Arctic National Park and Noatak National Preserve. The Noatak is a west-flowing river in arctic Alaska. It drains into the Chukchi Sea, off the west coast of Alaska.
• Cost: $4,200 per person from Fairbanks. Affordable rental camping gear available.
Sketch of the trip…
The Noatak River valley is an enormous expanse of rugged mountains and gently rolling tundra hills, with a thread of biologically rich riparian lakes and ponds running right down the middle. The Noatak’s entire watershed is protected within the Noatak National Preserve and the Gates of the Arctic National Park. It is internationally recognized as a World Heritage Site.
Nestled between two sub-ranges of the Brooks Range, far north of the Arctic Circle, the Noatak 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. Its westward flow is perpendicular to the north-south axis of migratory animals’ annual routes.
Each fall, passerines and waterfowl wing through the Noatak, stopping over in the many lush willow thickets and rich ponds of the broad valley. And thousands upon thousands of caribou from the Western Arctic Caribou Herd migrate through the Noatak valley on their way to winter ranges south of the Brooks Range. We almost always see wolves, fox, moose and Dall sheep. In years past, we have seen musk oxen, which have only recently begun to breed in the area. While paddling the Noatak we pass two salmon spawning streams. These are excellent and safe places to watch bears feeding.
We have three layover days to enjoy some of the best hiking in the arctic and to fish for grayling, northern pike, arctic char and lake trout. Fall colors will begin to turn while we’re out there, 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.
This is a fairly easy 50-mile canoe trip, but you can fish and hike and explore until you’re worn out. 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 each days end. Previous experience is not necessary to paddle canoes, as instruction is provided.
What follows is a forecast of the trip, a general idea of the flow of events.
As a forecast, it may be amended to meet conditions and opportunities in the field.
Day 1: It’s a long day. We fly north from Fairbanks to Coldfoot, crossing en route the mighty Yukon River and the Arctic Circle. From Coldfoot, we charter a plane into the Gates of the Arctic National Park. We’ll land on a gravelbar near the river. 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.
Days 2-9: We’ll canoe our way down the Noatak. We’ll paddle about 15 miles per day, which will keep us on the river up to five hours each of the moving days. Our three layover days we’ll take where hiking and other activities are readily available. We can climb peaks every day, 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 evening is yours to enjoy the golden arctic sunlight.
Day 10: Clean-up and pack our gear. Weather permitting, we’ll catch our return flight back up the Noatak, over a great many mountains back to Coldfoot, then on to Fairbanks. Remove rubber boots!
Included in the price of the trip:
Transportation beyond Fairbanks.
Outstanding guide service.
Wholesome, delicious, and mostly-organic food while in the wilderness.
Stoves, cooking & eating utensils.
Repair and safety equipment such as firearm (guide will carry) and one bear spray per guest.
All boating gear, including boats and paddles.
The use of one life jacket and one medium-sized dry bag per guest.
Not included in the price of the trip:
Non-camp lodging.
Non-camp meals.
Personal clothing, backpack (if applicable), and footwear.
Sleeping bag & sleeping pad.
Three-season tent.
Large waterproof dry bag (one with shoulder straps works best)
Waterproof camera case.
Fishing gear and fishing license.
Gratuity for guide(s).
Arctic Wild rents high quality gear at affordable rates. Rental gear includes:
Three-season tents
Sleeping bags
Sleeping pads
Rubber raingear bibs
Rubber raingear jackets
Rubber boots
Large dry bag
A River Trip Equipment List is provided upon registration or request.
Weather & Bugs: Temperatures vary dramatically in the Arctic. Temperatures range from the 20s to 70s. When the wind comes from the north, the temperature can drop to below freezing. Cold rains and snow are possible, but we get lots of sunny weather this time of the year. Bugs should not be a problem on this trip, but traveling with insect repellent (DEET) is always prudent.
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