The best camping in Noatak National Preserve, AK

Do you love the idea of traversing an Arctic wilderness so remote, you have to take a boat or air taxi to get there? Then the Noatak River is for you.

The 400+ mile river is among the largest river basins on the continent. It remains virtually untouched, except for the Inupiat people who've lived there for 11,000 years. The waters from Brooks Basin are slow-moving—perfect for rafting, kayaking, and canoeing.

Along the Noatak, you can blaze your own trails through the backcountry. When evening hits, pitch your tent anywhere on the vast tundra. Don't be surprised if no other humans are visible from your campsite—This place is the ultimate escape from civilization. Needless to say, this is strictly a pack-in, pack-out kind of park.

Tundra and Pine forests surround the Noatak. The Brooks Range looms over the preserve, dominated by the DeLong and Baird Mountains. Many visitors choose to hike the ridgelines to avoid the spongy ground below.

The arctic flora and fauna are a photographer's dream. We're talking Dall sheep, wolves, moose, and a caribou herd 450,000 strong. Bears also roam the area, so remember to bring a bear canister for your food. They're available at the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center in Kotzebue.

The river preserve is the most accessible in the summer. However, if you're well-versed in arctic survival, you might consider a winter trip. Just imagine skiing and snowmobiling on untouched pow.

However you experience the national preserve, the pure beauty of this Alaskan wilderness is sure to leave you breathless.