|
park map more info about this area back to parks top Bering Land Bridge National Preserve Nome, AK 
The Bering Land Bridge National Preserve is one of
the most remote national park areas, located on the Seward Peninsula in
northwest Alaska. The Preserve is a remnant of the land bridge that
connected Asia with North America more than 13,000 years ago. The majority
of this land bridge, once thousands of miles wide, now lies beneath the
waters of the Chukchi and Bering Seas.
During the glacial epoch this was part of a migration route for people,
animals, and plants whenever ocean levels fell enough to expose the land
bridge. Archeologists agree that it was across this Bering Land Bridge,
also called Beringia, that humans first passed from Asia to populate the
Americas. The Preserve's western boundary lies 42 miles from the Bering
Strait and the fishing boundary between the United States and Russia.
CONTACTS
Email - WEAR_Webmail@nps.gov
Fax- 907-443-6139
Write to
National Park Service
P.O. Box 1029
Kotzebue,
AK 99752
Phone
Visitor Information - 907-443-2522
Headquarters -
907-442-3890
TRAVEL BASICS
Operating Hours,
Seasons
The park is open year-round. Highest visitation is in June
and July; lowest in December, January and February.
Getting There
PLANE - The Preserve is vast and access is
limited. There are no roads that lead directly into it, and summer access
is usually by bush planes and small boats. Winter access is mostly by
small planes on skis, by snowmachine, or by dog sleds.
Weather & Climate
Summer temperatures on the coast are
usually in the low 50's ° F, with mid 60's to 70's and an occasional 80's
or 90's in the interior. Average January lows are -15 ° F on the coast and
-50 ° F in the interior. Winds average 8 to 12 mph, but 50 to 70 mph winds
commonly accompany storms and produce extremely low and dangerous chill
factors. Averages are meaningless; summer can see snow, near freezing
temperatures, and long periods of clouds, wind, and rain. Summer days are
long, almost without darkness; winter days are short, with only a few
hours of light.
Exposure and hypothermia are real threats.
Getting Around
Very often you are absolutely on your own in
the Preserve, with few if any links to the outside world. Hiking can be
difficult and strenuous, especially across tussock tundra. You must be
prepared for varied and changing weather conditions. Use only durable
tested equipment and be experienced in its use before you set out.
CAMPING
Cottonwood Shelter Cabin
Open
All Year
This cabin is primarily for emergency winter use
Ear
Mountain Shelter Cabin
Open All Year
This cabin is primarily for
emergency winter use.
Goodhope
Open All Year
This
cabin is primarily for emergency winter use.
Grayling
Creek
Open All Year
This cabin is primarily for emergency winter
use.
Kividlo Shelter Cabin
Open All Year
This cabin is
primarily for emergency winter use.
Nuluk
Open All
Year
This cabin is primarily for emergency winter
use.
Serpentine Hot Springs
Open All Year
A
bunkhouse-style cabin at Serpentine Hot Springs sleeps 15 to 20 people in
two sections. A wooden tub for bathing is enclosed in a small bathhouse
which is fed by the waters of the hot spring. All cabins are unreserved
and bush etiquette may require sharing space with strangers. Camping is
relatively unrestricted, with no formal campsites and no developed water,
power, or sanitation facilities.Serpentine Hot Springs is remote and
potential dangers exist. The area is subject to abrupt and sometimes
severe weather changes. Sudden storms can change the pastoral scene into a
rugged and hostile environment. The temperature of the water can range
from 140 - 170 ° F. Winter ice builds up around the bathhouse, making
footing treacherous. Alcohol increases the danger of slipping on ice. It
can impair the body's ability to respond appropriately to heat or cold,
increasing the possibility of scalding or hypothermia. Remember, medical
attention can be days, or even weeks away. Serpentine Hot Springs has
always had a casual, relaxed, and sharing atmosphere. Each person shared
responsibility of caring for the facilities and left the area in a
condition which contributed to the next person's enjoyment. The National
Park Service encourages newcomers to respect this tradition. The reward
will be a truly unique and memorable experience.
FACILITIES
COTTONWOOD
|
