You may not be able to drive from the rest of the road system to get to Nome but once there, 350 miles of highway system connects you to the rest of the Seward Peninsula. The 72 mile long Nome-Council Highway stretches into the Alaskan wilderness past grasslands, coastal flatlands and leads to the beach. Take a day trip from Nome on the Nome-Council Highway and explore this uniquely beautiful part of Alaska.

The Nome-Council Highway heads two hours one way from Nome to Council, a summer fish camp community on the coast of the Seward Peninsula.

Berkeley Lab | Flickr

The highway will take you through the vast tundra of the central Seward Peninsula. There are no trees in this part of the world, just miles and miles of rolling hillsides covered in plush tundra.

Berkeley Lab | Flickr

Then you roll through the grasslands with a little more foliage than the tundra. Snowy owls can be seen hunting voles in the grass.

Berkeley Lab | Flickr

Then the marshes signal that you are getting closer to the ocean.

jpc.raleigh | Flickr

The beach is cool and beautiful with black volcanic sand. Caribou migrate through this area. Here is a rare shot of caribou hanging out on the beach.

jpc.raleigh | Flickr

There is an abundance of wildlife as no one inhabits the area year round and the animals have their space to roam.

Berkeley Lab | Flickr

This “Train to Nowhere” as well as some other remnants of the history of the region lie rusting into the grass. During the Gold Rush in 1897 almost 15,000 people lived in the area seeking their fortunes!

Don Henise | Flickr

The settlement has a few defunct buildings and is primarily used as a summer fish camp by Nome residents. Fish camps are summer settlements where the primary task is to catch salmon and prepare them for winter by drying or smoking them.

Berkeley Lab | Flickr

An easy drive down the Nome-Council Highway will show you a part of Alaska most people will never see. Explore the Seward Peninsula next time you are in Nome!

Berkeley Lab | Flickr

Find out about more Beautiful Byways in Alaska.

Berkeley Lab | Flickr

jpc.raleigh | Flickr

Don Henise | Flickr

Have you driven the Nome-Council Highway? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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