📘 Park Overview
On the rooftop of the world, the Iñupiat Heritage Center in Barrow, Alaska, tells the story of the Iñupiat people. They have thrived for thousands of years in one of the most extreme climates on Earth, hunting the bowhead, or "Agviq." In the 19th century, the quiet northern seas swarmed with commercial whalemen from New England, who also sought the bowhead for its valuable baleen and blubber.
🌤 Weather Information
Owing to its location 320 miles (515 km) north of the Arctic Circle, Barrow's climate is cold and dry, classified as a polar climate (Köppen ET). Winter weather can be extremely dangerous because of the combination of cold and wind, while summers are cool even at their warmest.
🚗 Directions
The Inupiat Heritage Center is located in Barrow, Alaska, the largest city in the North Slope Borough and the northernmost city in the United States. Barrow can be reached via commercial and charter flights from Anchorage and Fairbanks.
Images
Traditional clothing of the Inupiaq on exhibit at the Center
Credit: NPS Photo
A whaling crew (Hopson 1) waits patiently at the open lead for a bowhead whale, May 2002.
Credit: Photo courtesy of Inupiat Heritage Center
The Inupiat Heritage Center promotes Inupiaq culture, history and language through exhibits, classes, performances and activities.
Credit: NPS Photo
Credit: NPS Photo
A collection of masks from the Inupiat Heritage Center
Credit: NPS Photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Friday, Sep 11
Light rain shower
High: 48°F | Low: 44.1°F
Humidity: 89%
Wind: 22.1 mph
Rain Chance: 89%
UV Index: 0.2
Sunrise: 07:20 AM
Sunset: 09:27 PM
Moon: New Moon (0%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 44°F
Cloud Cover: 89%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Saturday, Sep 12
Blizzard
High: 43.9°F | Low: 33.7°F
Humidity: 89%
Wind: 27.7 mph
Rain Chance: 80%
UV Index: 0.4
Sunrise: 07:24 AM
Sunset: 09:22 PM
Moon: New Moon (3%)
Visibility: 4 mi
Dew Point: 37.6°F
Cloud Cover: 80%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Sunday, Sep 13
Blowing snow
High: 34.1°F | Low: 33°F
Humidity: 89%
Wind: 26.8 mph
Rain Chance: 69%
UV Index: 0.7
Sunrise: 07:28 AM
Sunset: 09:17 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (8%)
Visibility: 2 mi
Dew Point: 31.3°F
Cloud Cover: 69%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (1)
Small Craft Advisory issued September 11 at 3:48PM AKDT until September 12 at 5:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK
Effective: Sep 11, 2026 7:48pm
Expires: Sep 12, 2026 10:00am
Arctic Alaska Coastal Waters out 100 NM
Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction
expected. Sea forecasts represent the average of the highest one-
third of the combined wind-wave and swell height.
.TONIGHT...SW winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SAT...SW winds 30 kt. Seas 6 ft. Rain showers.
.SAT NIGHT...W winds 30 kt. Seas 9 ft. Rain showers and snow
showers.
.SUN...W winds 30 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...W winds 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.MON...W winds 10 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.MON NIGHT...NE winds 10 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.TUE...NE winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.WED...W winds 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
5421 North Star Street
Barrow, AK 99723
🏤 Mailing Address:
P.O Box 69
Barrow, AK 99723
📞 Voice Phone: 907-434-0805
✉️ Email: jacob_martin@nps.gov