Noatak River
Dates: August 14 -22, 2025 (BOOKING NOW)
The Noatak River is entirely north of the Arctic Circle and fully within Gates of the Arctic National Park. Our 9-day Sundog Expeditions river trip will focus on the upper ~55 miles on the Noatak. The Noatak is a meandering river contained within the enormous landscape of the Brooks Range. Hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing are excellent on the Noatak. Fishing in the main river and the many lakes along the Noatak can be outstanding as well. The Noatak is only accessible by air and this trip includes a breathtaking bush plane flight to the river and back. The trip begins and ends in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Trip Details and Logistics
Day 1
You will be picked up at your hotel and shuttled to the Fairbanks Airport for your flight to the Noatak. Trip participants and gear will be weighed and assigned to different aircraft. We will then fly the ~3 hour flight to the Noatak with a stop to change planes in Bettles, Alaska. This flight takes you over the Yukon River and interior Alaska before climbing over the Brooks Range. We descend into the river and land at our put-in in the headwaters of the Noatak beneath the Arrigetch Peaks. The aircraft will make multiple shuttles of gear and people from Bettles to the river. We will all work together to unload and assemble our river and camping gear for the coming expedition. We will likely camp at the put-in after a long day of travel and hard work where we will build camp and enjoy food prepared by the guides.
Days 2-5
As we begin to travel downriver and will encounter towering mountains around us including the impressive Mt. Igikpak. We will start our days with a hot breakfast followed by loading the rafts for river travel. We will travel around 10 river miles each day on the water. We will stop and have lunch along the river before returning downriver to find camp. Camping is generally good on the Noatak with many river bars to camp on. At camp we will unload the boats and build our home for the evening. The guides will prepare a hot dinner and from there we will enjoy the evening together. We will likely layover on one of these days where we will stay at our camp for the entire following day. This provides us opportunities for hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
Days 6-9
We continue further downriver as the Noatak begins to widen and meander with hidden lakes and oxbows along the river. We will pass the Kugrak River as it enters the Noatak where there are good camping spots and great hikes on either side of the river. We will stop and look for animals at times during these days as the surrounding hillsides provide good habitat for Caribou, Grizzly Bear, Wolves, Dall Sheep, and Musk Ox. While traveling downriver the scenery continues to change as rolling hills intersect the large mountains on either side of the river. We will likely layover near Lake Matcharak where we can take a short hike to the shores of this large lake. We will camp and enjoy our final night on the Noatak on Day 8. On Day 9 we will wake early to arrive at our take-out below Lake Matcharak. We will deconstruct the trip for packing into the airplanes. We will be shuttled in multiple flights from the river for the ~3.5hr flight back to Fairbanks. After arriving in Fairbanks you will be shuttled back to the hotel where we will have a trip dinner together in Fairbanks. After the trip you may want to further explore Alaska or head back home.
Logistics
Our Noatak River trip begins and ends in Fairbanks, Alaska. Fairbanks is serviced by many commercial airlines. We strongly encourage participants to arrive 2 days in advance to Fairbanks so you will not miss any connection arriving into Alaska. Fairbanks is also a great city to explore for those on their first trip to Alaska or returning visitors. Our final trip price if inclusive and includes the cost of roundtrip backcountry flights from Fairbanks to the Noatak and all camping & river gear.
Food & Equipment
All meals will be provided beginning with lunch on our fly-in day through lunch at the end of our trip when we return to Fairbanks. During the river trip the crew will prepare meals including hot breakfasts, lunches on the river, and multiple course dinners. We are able to meet most medically necessary dietary restrictions and allergies. Sundog Expeditions provides all camp and river gear including life jackets, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, waterproof bags, cook and drinkware, raincoats, splash pants, and booties. We do not provide personal clothing or toiletries. A full recommended gear list is provided after booking your trip.
