Kotzebue is located in the state of Alaska and has a lot of culture to offer as well as great sights and interesting destinations. So if you’re planning a trip to Kotzebue, you’ve come to the right place!
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Vacation in Kotzebue
Situated on the Baldwin Peninsula in the Kotzebue Sound region of Alaska, Kotzebue is a small city with a big heart. With a population of just over 3,000 people, Kotzebue is the largest community in Northwest Alaska and the gateway to the Kobuk Valley.
In summer, the days are long and warm, perfect for exploring the region’s pristine landscapes and wildlife. Hike to one of the many scenic lookouts, go berry picking, visit a native village, try your hand at gold panning, or take a dip in the crystalclear waters of a glacial lake.
Kotzebue is also an excellent place to view the northern lights. From late August to early April, Aurora Borealis can often be seen dancing in the night sky.
In winter, Kotzebue becomes a true winter wonderland. Go dogsledding, crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing, or ice fishing on a frozen lake. There are also several snowmobile trails in the area.
No matter what time of year you visit, Kotzebue is sure to offer a unique and unforgettable experience.
Sights in Kotzebue
Kotzebue is a city in northwest Alaska, located 32 miles north of the Arctic Circle. It is the main commercial center for the Northwest Arctic Borough, the second largest borough in the state. The city’s population was 3,201 at the 2010 census, down from 3,371 in 2000. Kotzebue is one of a handful of Alaska towns located above the Arctic Circle. In summer, the sun never sets, and in winter, the sun never rises.
Although Kotzebue is not directly on the Arctic Ocean, it is considered an Arctic Ocean coastal community, because it is within five miles of the ocean. Kotzebue Sound, which Kotzebue lies on, is icefree for most of the year, making it a vital summertime transportation route to and from the Arctic Ocean and the rest of Alaska.
Kotzebue is an Inupiaq Eskimo village that has been occupied for thousands of years. It is believed that the village was founded between 800 and 1200 AD. The Inupiaq people have a rich culture and lifestyle that is closely connected to the land and sea. Kotzebue is home to the Inupiat Heritage Center, which is dedicated to preserving and sharing the Inupiaq culture.
The city of Kotzebue was named after Otto von Kotzebue, a German explorer who visited the area in 1816. Kotzebue is known as the “Gateway to the Arctic” and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife watchers. There are numerous hiking and camping opportunities in the area, as well as opportunities to see wildlife, including polar bears, whales, and seals.
History of Kotzebue
Kotzebue is a city located in the Northwest Arctic Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. The city Kotzebue is named after Otto von Kotzebue, a Baltic German explorer in the service of the Russian Empire. Kotzebue Sound is nearby and to the north of the city. Kotzebue is the largest city in the borough and the unofficial capital of the region.
The region has been inhabited for over 4000 years by Alaskan Natives. The first European contact was in 1789 when Captain James Cook sighted what is now known as Cape Prince of Wales. The first recorded European contact in the Kotzebue area was made in 1818 by Pyotr Pakhtusov, an explorer working for the RussianAmerican Company. Pakhtusov reported sighting the Saint Lawrence Island group, home to a large Yupik Eskimo population.
In 1850, the Chambers brothers, American whalers from Sag Harbor, New York, established a whaling station on the southwest tip of presentday Kotzebue Sound. This was the first permanent EuropeanAmerican settlement in the Arctic. Two years later, the United States bought Alaska from Russia, and Kotzebue became part of the new American territory.
During the 1860s, Kotzebue Sound was a significant whaling center, with more than 200 ships operating from three whaling stations. In 1865, the Alaska Commercial Company, a Scottishowned fur trading and transportation concern, built Fort Dreadnought at the mouth of the Kivalina River, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) northwest of presentday Kotzebue. The fort was intended to protect the company’s whaling and trading operations in the area.
In 1897, gold was discovered near the Yukon River, sparking the Klondike Gold Rush. Thousands of prospectors headed to the Yukon, and many of them came through Kotzebue Sound on their way north. As a result of the increased traffic, the U.S. government decided to build a light house at Point Barrow, Alaska’s northernmost point, in 1898. The light house was completed in 1900.
In 1900, Kotzebue was officially incorporated as a city, and in 1901, the population was 762. By 1910, the population had grown to 1,542. The increased economic activity brought new people and new cultures to the area, and Kotzebue became a more diverse and cosmopolitan community.
The 1920s were a period of economic growth for Kotzebue, as the city became a regional center for trade and transportation. In 1924, the first plane landed in Kotzebue, ushering in a new era of transportation. The first airstrip was built in 1926, and by 1929, there were three planes based in Kotzebue. In 1931, the first radio station in Alaska went on the air in Kotzebue.
The 1930s were a time of economic hardship, as the Great Depression affected Kotzebue and the rest of the country. Despite the difficult times, Kotzebue continued to grow, and in 1935, the population reached 2,000.
During World War II, Kotzebue served as a staging area for the construction of the Alaska Military Highway, which connected Alaska to the contiguous United States. The highway was completed in 1943. In 1947, the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line, a system of radar stations designed to detect a Soviet bomber attack on North America, was built near Kotzebue.
The 1950s were a decade of change in Kotzebue. In 1959, Alaska became a state, and Kotzebue became part of the new state. In the same year, oil was discovered in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. The oil discovery led to the construction of the TransAlaska Pipeline, which was completed in 1977. The pipeline passes within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of Kotzebue, and the city became a hub for pipeline construction and maintenance.
Today, Kotzebue is a quiet community of 3,000 people, located on the shores of Kotzebue Sound. The city is the gateway to the Arctic, and its citizens are proud of their cultural heritage and their unique way of life.
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