Nome Census Area: Bering Land Bridge and Gold Rush History

Bering Land Bridge National Preserve is located in Nome Census Area and brings together a striking landscape with traces of a long history of the Earth. Archaeological, paleontological, and biological resources bear witness to the time when the Bering Land Bridge connected Asia and North America. Volcanic lava flows, coastal formations, and paleontological sites each give the landscape a different character.

Landscape and Serpentine Hot Springs

The preserve also includes the Serpentine Hot Springs area and various distinctive natural features. The Serpentine Hot Springs area comprises two thermal areas: Serpentine Hot Springs and Arctic Hot Springs. Serpentine Hot Springs has been used for thousands of years and continues to serve traditional and modern uses. This place brings a long history of use together with its use today.

The combination of lava flows, coastal features, and sites makes this natural area interesting to travelers looking for more than a single impression of the landscape. The Bering Land Bridge provides the historical context, while the geological and biological resources point to different aspects of the region. Ranger programs at the preserve’s Heritage Center may include talks, hikes, and Junior Ranger programs during the summer months. If you’re traveling with children, an actual Junior Ranger program, when offered, can be one way to enjoy the visit together.

Gold Rush History and Cultural Sites

The Cape Nome Mining District Discovery Sites are a National Historic Landmark and are associated with Alaska’s first major placer gold discovery. The sites include the Discovery Claim on Anvil Creek, the E.O. Lindbloom Placer Claim, No. 1 on Snow Creek, and Nome Beach. Their names and landmark status provide several specific points in the gold rush story rather than reducing it to a single discovery.

In Nome, the Carrie M. McLain Memorial Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting the culture, history, and craftsmanship of Nome and the Bering Strait. The main gallery features the permanent exhibition “Nome: Hub of Cultures and Communities Across the Bering Strait.” The museum is open to visitors Monday through Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m.; check its hours before you arrive.

Nome also offers a range of historical points of interest: Old St. Joe’s Hall is one of the city’s oldest surviving buildings and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, but it is not always open. Life-size bronze statues of the “Three Lucky Swedes” stand in Anvil City Square. The Swanberg Dredge is within walking distance of downtown Nome. The Burled Arch serves as the official finish line for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race; outside the racing season, visitors in Nome can take photos near it.

Routes and Seasonal Sightings

The Nome-Taylor Highway, locally known as Kougarok Road, is a scenic route to varied landscapes, historic remnants, and possible wildlife sightings. Road conditions vary in winter. The Nome-Council Road passes through coastal grasslands, dunes, and meadows along Safety Sound. One section of this road features “Last Train to Nowhere,” with viewing platforms and interpretive signs. Check current conditions and access before visiting.

Individual observation spots also have their own seasonal highlights. A turnoff beyond Safety Bridge leads to interpretive signs and a boardwalk for wildlife viewing; access conditions may vary seasonally. An old road section leads to a viewpoint on the Solomon River. There, salmon, Dolly Varden, and Arctic grayling can be observed in late July and August. The coastal scenery along Safety Sound and the limited seasonal window for fish viewing offer different reasons to include a route in your travel plans.

Choose the Right Base

When looking for a vacation rental, it helps to start by deciding what you want to focus on during your trip. If you plan to visit Nome, the museum, historic buildings, and cultural sites may shape your choice of location. If your interests lie more in seasonal wildlife viewing or the scenery along the roads, other stops may take priority. Choose your overnight location based on the places you actually want to visit, and take the seasonal conditions and museum hours mentioned above into account when planning.

Explore More Destinations

Explore the individual destinations Nome and Gambell.

Explore more destinations: Bristol Bay, Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Anchorage, Aleutians West Census Area, Juneau, Yakutat.

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