Cape Krusenstern National Monument

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Cape Krusenstern National Monument

Cape Krusenstern National Monument is a treeless coastal plain dotted with sizable lagoons and backed by gently rolling limestone hills. Cape Krusenstern's bluffs and its series of 114 beach ridges record the changing shorelines of the Chukchi Sea over thousands of years. Because the ridges accumulated over time, the earliest ridges lie inland, and the most recently formed ridges near the shore. This unusual series of beach ridges present, in sequence, detailed evidence of an estimated 9,000 years of prehistoric human use of this coastline. Some archeological sites here are older than well-known remains of ancient Greek civilizations on the Mediterranean Sea. In summer, wildflowers color the beach ridges and nearby hills. Large numbers of migratory birds come from all over the world to Cape Krusenstern to nest. In fall, these migrating birds use the lagoons as feeding and staging areas. Shifting sea ice, ocean currents, and waves continue to form spits and lagoons possessing important scientific, cultural, and scenic values. Along the outer beaches, Alaska Natives still hunt marine mammals. Local rural residents are allowed to hunt in the Monument. A road to the Red Dog mine crosses the northern boundary. Trucks haul zinc from open pit mines to a tidewater port. Cominco Alaska operates the mine, along with the NANA Regional Corp., a Native corporation based in Kotzebue.

IN DEPTH

Park Regulations & Safety Laws Protect Archeological Sites on Public Lands Archeological sites are time capsules from the past. They are the keys to understanding ancient activities and sometimes forgotten cultures. Working...read more

Things To Do Things To Do Kayaking, fishing, camping, hiking, backpacking, wildlife watching, and photo opportunities abound in the summer. With winter arctic survival skills and personal equipment, snow machining, skiing and...read more

Natural World Nature and Science Cape Krusenstern National Monument is most famous for its archeological sites. They depict every known cultural period in arctic Alaska and provide information about both prehistoric...read more

Animals Arctic Animals Seabirds spend most of their time searching for food in the marine waters and come ashore only to rest or to breed. Thousands of seabirds nest within...read more

Geology The Beach Ridges of the Cape Cape Krusenstern National Monument is a coastal plain dotted with sizable lagoons and backed by gently rolling limestone hills. Nearly 5000 years of...read more

Who's Who at the Park Superintendent Welcome to Cape Krusenstern National Monument, one of 4 areas within Western Arctic National Parklands. These lands comprise some of the most beautiful areas as well as being...read more

History History & Culture Cape Krusenstern National Monument invites you to look into the past. The Monument was established to protect a series of more than 100 beach ridges preserving 5,000...read more

Preservation Centennial Initiative 2016 On August 25, 2006 - the 90th anniversary of the National Park Service - Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne launched the National Park Centennial Initiative...read more

Frequently Asked Questions What designations are associated with Cape Krusenstern National Monument? Boundary Change - December 2, 1980 National Monument - December 1, 1978 Where can I camp in Cape Krusenstern National Monument and do...read more

Planning Your Visit Things To Know Before You Come Visitors should be prepared to enjoy a non-traditional National Park Service experience. There are no roads, trails, campgrounds or regularly attended ranger stations...read more

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