In Western Alaska, the windswept Seward Peninsula is a uniquely beautiful place. Here the Kougarok Road (also known as Nome-Taylor Road) leads 86 miles north from Nome through the heart of the Kigluaik Mountains. In the summer, drive this remote road for a fantastic day trip to explore the beauty of this scenic area. There are trails to hike and mountains to see, as well as a few artifacts from the Gold Rush era. If you find yourself in Nome, drive the length of the Kougarok Road to see this incredible part of Alaska.
Kougarok Road begins at the edge of the Bering Sea, 1.6 miles east of Nome.
The Kougarok Road takes about two hours to drive one way, ending at the Kougarok River Bridge. From there it becomes a rough 4-wheeler trail that continues to the community of Taylor.
It is a gravel road and you must drive slowly or spend an extra hour changing your tires.
You'll pass areas that once were used by gold miners. This "Train to Nowhere is just one of the pieces of mining equipment leftover from the Gold Rush era, abandoned on the tundra.
As you drive, you'll see
the crystal clear lakes and streams of the area, and the stunning Dorothy Falls. There are ranger-led hikes here by appointment in the summer months.
The lake is teeming with fish and waterfowl, and is untouched by modern life. Escape to the simplicity of the tundra and relax in the quiet and solitude of this remote locale. Stop at the Salmon Lake Campground for a picnic. There is a grill and some picnic tables as well as outhouses for a perfect place to stop.
Muskox are always on this remote road, and these giant woolly beasts are part of life in Nome. Give them their space and everything will turn out fine.
The road takes you right through the Kigluaik Mountains, and the high tundra of the area. The tundra is a tight web of low lying plants that thrive in the cool, windy conditions.
Tundra has a squishy bounce as you walk across it and a deep earthen smell like nothing else on Earth.
Visit this remote and beautiful part of Alaska on the Kourgarok Road. Pass waterfalls, gold mines and muskox for an experience unique to this part of Alaska.
