Park or nature areaUsable guide

Gates of the Arctic National Park

National park in Alaska, United States

Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Gates of the Arctic National Park is a national park in Northern Alaska. It is the northernmost US national park, lying entirely north of the Arctic Circle, and the second largest—at it is roughly the size of Switzerland or Maryland! The park is also one of the most remote national parks in the United States with no established roads or trails entering or within the park. As such, it is primarily visited by adventurous souls who backpack by foot or travel along the handful of wild, scenic rivers which run through the park. The park is one of the last truly wild places left in the US.

Getting there and around

Getting there

By air
There are several Native Alaskan villages within the park which all have small airstrips, which can be reached by air taxi (regular service or charter).

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Airports and nearby hotels

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Anaktuvuk Pass Airport

Anaktuvuk Pass · Regional · AKP

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Full travel guide

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UnderstandThe park's name comes from a nature activist named Robert Marshall who, while exploring the North Fork of the Koyukuk River, saw two mountains (Frigid Crags & Boreal Mountain) flanking the river on each side and gave…

Get inThere are no established roads or trails leading to nor within the park. However, the Dalton Highway passes within 5 miles of the park's eastern side.e. end of May–beginning of September).

Fees and permitsUnlike most other national parks, there are no required fees or permits for entry into Gates of the Arctic NP.

Get around

SeeViewing the Northern Lights or experiencing the Midnight Sun are sometimes possible.

DoPopular activities include backpacking, hiking, rafting, canoeing, birding, photography and hunting.

BuyThe park is a wilderness, so anyone expecting stores will be sorely disappointed.

Eat and drinkAll food must be brought into the park as no supplies are available. Drinking water is plentiful. You may consider purification downstream of the few settlements.

SleepThere are no developed lodgings or campsites in the park, but camping is allowed. Because this is remote wilderness, be sure to be prepared with supplies and pack everything out that you take in, including garbage.

Stay safeDangers in the park come from the wildness and remoteness. File a plan with the park service so that if something happens to you that someone will know where you are.

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Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Gates of the Arctic National Park" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

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