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Things to do / Travel Guide
Alaska Bush Arctic Getaways
Some of the Arctic settlements and native Alaskan villages in this rural region can be reached only by plane. These areas are self-sustaining, not receiving any food or supplies from the "outside world." The visitor can appreciate the grand scale of nature in little-known National Parks and week-long float trips. The only roads are in the Nome area in the Dalton Highway to Barrow. (That's why it's called the Bush area—it's all bush and no roads.)
Nome, Alaska Tourist Attractions
If you're one of the few people in the U.S. (not to mention the world) who have heard of Nome, Alaska, it's probably because you're current with the world of dog sledding. Nome is the ending point of the Iditarod race and small as the town is, the people there can raise a ruckus as large as the Bostonians in Kenmore Square do after a Red Sox victory in Fenway Park.
Nome, a gold mining town, is located in the very remote area of Bush Alaska and is home to only about 3,200 residents and 13 bars, yet when the race starts heading their way, the Nome natives (at least a week in advance) start priming their properties for some pretty serious partying. Stay for a few days before the race hits the town, the race's end, and then for a week of post-race festivities, and save some time for a few Nome tourist attractions. During this time bars offer entertainment, there are educational lectures about the race, and mushing displays can be seen everywhere. Hotel rooms get booked solid six months in advance and the Alaska Tourist Office gets flooded with inquiries.
Needless to say, if you don't make it to Nome for the race, you'll get there and not much will be going on. That shouldn't deter adventurous tourists from making the trip, though. In fact, around Nome and the rest of the Bush area, you'll get to see some of the most fantastic, isolated scenery on earth. The Bering Land Bridge National Preserve should immediately go on your to-see list.
You'll also get to glimpse into Native Alaskan life (i.e. the Inuit)—few of the Inuit towns are set up for tourists, but that doesn't mean that they won't welcome you with open arms into their untrodden territory.
Alaska Bush Tourist Attractions
If you are looking for a cozy Inuit town, then you'll want to head to the historic town of Kotzebue. Kotzebue is slightly smaller in population than Nome, but because it's even more spread out, it feels as though it's even more deserted. Believe it or not, though, Kotzebue is one of the larger cities located along the Kotzebue Sound and in the whole Northwest Arctic Borough, which is why it was chosen to host the World Eskimo Indian Olympics, an event that was founded in 1961 to celebrate the cultural and survival traditions of the native Alaskans. Events include dancing, storytelling competitions, hunting, and survival games. The games were relocated to Anchorage a few years ago, but there is still a strong cultural presence left in Kotzebue.
Another Alaska Bush tourist attraction is the Katmai National Park and Preserve, a national park that spans a portion of the deserted Alaskan terrain about the size of Wales. While the park consists mainly of untended, protected wilderness, there are a number of activities that attract adventurers from all over. There are 14 active volcanoes (at least) in the park, including the recently erupted Fourpeaked Volcano (it erupted in 2006), hiking, camping, kayaking, fishing, and backcountry skiing are all popular pastimes at Katmai National Park. Brown bears are common sights here, as well as the local food of the area (for both bears and people), wild salmon.
In the middle of this region you'll find one of the richest park areas in the state. The area spans from the Central Brooks Range on the east (where you'll find out-of-this-world white water rafting), all the way to Cape Krusenstern National Monument on the west coast on the Chukchi Sea. While Cape Krusenstern itself is treeless and rather bare, the area between these two points is lush, green, and beautiful. Visit the Gates of the Arctic National park and Preserve, continue you rafting adventure at on the Noatak and Kobuk Rivers, and then hike and camp through the Noatak and Kobuk National Preserve and Park.
You Can See Russia from Alaska
Sarah Palin was right about something—you CAN see Russia from Alaska. Head over to the Diomede Islands, located in the Bering Strait and you'll be as close to Russia as anywhere else in Alaska. In fact, there are two Diomede Islands, one right next to the other; one is American (Little Diomede) and one is Russian (Big Diomede), and yes, you can see from one to the next.
And when you're out there in the middle of nowhere, pondering life's many mysteries and taking in the fresh air, the blue sky, the clear waters, and the majestic beauty around you, when you feel like you're out in Siberia…in reality, you really won't be that far.
For the record - no Alaskan governor (Sarah Palin included) has ever been to the remote island of Little Diomede.
Alaska Bush Arctic Getaway Planner
The main barriers to touring in this region are cost and time. With enough time, money, and proper planning, you can enjoy this very desolate region.
Tourist Attractions and Highlights in Alaska Bush, Nome, Barrow and the Arctic
Tourist-Attractions-Highlights
Brooks Range - Hulahula Rive, Alaska
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