Shungnak Alaska Map

About Shungnak, Alaska

Shungnak is a locality in Northwest Arctic, Alaska, United States. It is a small community with a population of 147. The population density is 10.1 people per km². Shungnak is located at 66.8881°N, 157.1364°W. It observes the Alaska Time (America/Anchorage) timezone. ZIP code: 99773.

Shungnak rests on the Kobuk River, a place where the vastness of Alaska breathes through the landscape. It lies 301.1 miles west-north-west of Fairbanks, AK (from Fairbanks, AK: bearing 302°T), and is situated 148.0 miles east of Kotzebue. The terrain here is a study in subtle contrasts: low-lying tundra, carpeted in mosses and hardy shrubs, gives way to the broader, more patient sweep of the river valley. This is a land shaped by ancient forces, where the sky feels immense, stretching from horizon to horizon in shades of pale blue during the long summer days, and a profound, star-dusted black in the heart of winter. The air, when it carries the scent of spruce and damp earth, often brings with it the distant murmur of the water, a constant, low thrum that underscores the quietude of the surroundings. The light, too, has a particular quality, especially as the sun begins its slow descent, painting the clouds in hues of rose and apricot, a fleeting spectacle that seems to hold the entire landscape in a hushed reverence. The history of Shungnak is inextricably linked to the river that gives it life, a vital artery for transportation and sustenance for generations of Iñupiat people. Long before it became a permanent settlement, this area was a gathering place, a hub for hunting and fishing, its bounty drawn from the rich waters and the surrounding caribou grounds. The discovery of jade in the nearby mountains eventually added a new dimension to Shungnak's economy, a distinctive local industry that continues to draw attention and provide a unique livelihood. This blend of ancient tradition and a more recent resourcefulness defines the character of Shungnak, a place where the rhythm of the seasons dictates the pace of life, and the resilience of its people is as evident as the enduring landscape itself.

About This Shungnak Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Shungnak, Alaska — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: 66.888056, -157.136389. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service, with current observations and a 7-day forecast also powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time local news and world news feeds keep the page current, while a Wikipedia summary or an editorially written description provides background on Shungnak and Northwest Arctic.

Detailed location data for Shungnak includes the ZIP code (99773), telephone area code (907), county seat of Northwest Arctic, and school district assignment (Northwest Arctic Borough School District). These are among the most commonly searched location details for any US city or town.

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity — ensuring the correct Shungnak is identified even where the name is shared across multiple counties or states. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.