Napaskiak AlaskaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Napaskiak, Alaska.
1. Totem Bight State Historical Park
INDIGENOUS HISTORY AND ART
Totem Bight State Historical Park offers visitors an immersive experience in Alaska's indigenous history through expertly carved totem poles depicting stories of the Tlingit and Haida people. The park features a recreation of a Tlingit clan house that helps visitors visualize pre-colonial indigenous life. Visitors can explore lush forest trails while discovering the cultural legacy of the traditional totem poles that still stand today.
2. Misty Fjords National Monument
MAJESTIC WILDERNESS FJORDS
Misty Fjords National Monument is a labyrinth of fjords, inlets, bays, and forested ridges often shrouded in low-hanging clouds near Ketchikan. Waterfalls cascade down from high granite cliffs alongside steep inclines where bald eagles perch in cedar and spruce trees. Visitors can explore this unspoiled wilderness by boat, seaplane, or kayak while searching for bears, whales, and sea birds in the deep-green waterways.
3. NANA Museum of the Arctic
ARCTIC CULTURAL HERITAGE
The NANA Museum of the Arctic showcases the rich cultural heritage of Alaska's Arctic indigenous peoples through artifacts, art, and historical displays. Visitors can learn about traditional hunting techniques, survival skills, and the spiritual practices that have sustained Arctic communities for thousands of years. The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the unique way of life adapted to one of the world's most challenging environments.
4. Totem Heritage Center
HISTORIC TOTEM COLLECTION
The Totem Heritage Center houses one of the world's largest collections of original 19th-century totem poles recovered from abandoned Tlingit and Haida village sites. Each intricately carved pole tells stories of clan histories, legends, and important events in Native Alaskan culture. The center also offers educational programs and demonstrations of traditional Native arts including carving, basket weaving, and beadwork.
5. World Eskimo-Indian Olympics
TRADITIONAL ATHLETIC COMPETITION
The World Eskimo-Indian Olympics is an annual celebration of Native athletic traditions held in Fairbanks that showcases competitions testing strength, endurance, balance, and agility. Events include the knuckle hop, ear pull, high kick, and blanket toss—games that historically helped develop skills needed for Arctic survival. Beyond athletics, the gathering features traditional music, dance performances, and arts and crafts exhibitions that celebrate Alaska Native heritage.
6. Alaska National Historic Landmarks
HERITAGE SITES COLLECTION
Alaska National Historic Landmarks comprise 50 special places that illustrate powerful stories of conflict and achievement throughout the state's history. These nationally significant historic places have been designated for their exceptional value in interpreting the heritage of the United States. The landmarks include a diverse range of sites from indigenous cultural locations to Gold Rush era structures and early Russian settlements.
7. Kuskowim River
VITAL WATERWAY ACCESS
The Kuskowim River serves as the lifeline for Napaskiak, providing critical transportation and subsistence resources throughout the year. In winter, the frozen river becomes an ice road connecting remote communities, while summer brings fishing and boating opportunities vital to local culture and economy. Visitors can experience traditional river life and potentially observe locals engaged in subsistence activities that have sustained the region for generations.
8. Napaskiak Traditional Council Building
COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE CENTER
The Napaskiak Traditional Council Building serves as the heart of local governance and community gatherings in this small Yup'ik village. The building houses important administrative functions while also providing space for traditional council meetings where village elders make decisions following ancestral practices. Visitors may observe community events or learn about the unique blend of traditional governance and modern administration that characterizes rural Alaskan village life.
9. Napaskiak Russian Orthodox Church
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS SITE
The Napaskiak Russian Orthodox Church stands as a testament to the enduring influence of Russian missionaries who brought Orthodox Christianity to the region in the 19th century. The distinctive onion dome architecture combines Russian Orthodox tradition with local Yup'ik cultural elements, creating a unique religious landmark. The church continues to serve as an important spiritual center for the community, preserving religious practices that have been integrated with traditional Yup'ik beliefs.
10. Bethel Cultural Center
REGIONAL ARTS HUB
The Bethel Cultural Center showcases the rich artistic traditions of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region through exhibitions, performances, and educational programs. Visitors can explore displays of traditional Yup'ik masks, baskets, and tools alongside contemporary works by native artists living in the area. The center regularly hosts cultural events including traditional dancing, storytelling sessions, and workshops on indigenous crafts that connect younger generations with their heritage.
11. Napaskiak General Store
VILLAGE ESSENTIAL GOODS
The Napaskiak General Store provides essential goods and supplies to this remote village community, offering everything from food staples to hunting equipment. As one of the few retail establishments in the area, the store serves as an informal community gathering place where locals share news and stories. Visitors can gain insight into daily life in rural Alaska by observing the unique inventory that reflects both traditional subsistence needs and modern conveniences.
12. Tundra Gardens Restaurant
LOCAL FLAVORS DESTINATION
Tundra Gardens Restaurant offers authentic Alaskan cuisine featuring locally-sourced ingredients including fresh salmon, caribou, and foraged berries and plants. The menu changes seasonally to reflect available ingredients, providing a true taste of the region's unique food traditions. Diners can enjoy both traditional Yup'ik dishes and contemporary fusion creations in a warm atmosphere that celebrates the culinary heritage of Western Alaska.
13. Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center
LIVING CULTURAL HERITAGE
The Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center preserves and promotes Yup'ik culture through its museum, library, and community spaces dedicated to indigenous knowledge and traditions. The center houses an impressive collection of artifacts, historical photographs, and oral histories that document the rich cultural heritage of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region. Visitors can participate in cultural demonstrations, language classes, and seasonal celebrations that offer authentic insights into Yup'ik ways of life.
14. Alaska Commercial Company
HISTORIC TRADING POST
The Alaska Commercial Company store in Bethel continues the legacy of one of Alaska's oldest merchant operations, originally established during the Russian colonial period. Today's modern store offers a wide selection of goods ranging from groceries and household items to outdoor equipment specially suited for the region's climate and lifestyle. For visitors, the store provides a fascinating glimpse into the unique supply challenges and consumer needs of remote Alaskan communities.
15. Kuskokwim River Festival
ANNUAL RIVER CELEBRATION
The Kuskokwim River Festival celebrates the central role of the river in local life through traditional boat races, fishing competitions, and riverside feasts featuring locally-caught fish. The multi-day event includes cultural demonstrations of net-making, fish processing, and other subsistence skills passed down through generations. Visitors can experience authentic Yup'ik hospitality while participating in games, dancing, and communal activities that strengthen bonds between river communities.