Nuiqsut, AK

united states

Nuiqsut is one of America's northernmost communities, sitting on Alaska's North Slope along the Colville River about 35 miles from Prudhoe Bay. No roads connect this Inupiat village to the outside world. Access is by air through Nuiqsut Airport or winter ice roads requiring Arctic driving expertise. The village of 600 residents experiences extreme temperatures from minus 50°F in winter to brief above-freezing summer days. During summer migrations, caribou from the massive Teshekpuk Lake herd sometimes walk directly through the village streets.