Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve

Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is a remote wilderness area located above the Arctic Circle and far from any roads. With careful planning, visitors can access the Park and Preserve by taking a bush plane from a local village or by hiking in from the Dalton Highway or the village of Anaktuvuk Pass. Traveling through this vast wilderness, you will discover craggy ridges, glacier carved valleys and fragile flowers. Come and experience solitude in the intact ecosystems of the park, where people have lived with the land for thousands of years.

At A Glance

In The Park

Superintendent: Dave Mills
Phone Number: 907-692-5494
Entrance Fees: Free

Sights: Rocky Mountains; Aurora Borealis; Alatna River; John River; Kobuk River; Noatak River; North Fork of the Koyukuk River; Tinayguk River; Brooks Range

Important Dates

Established as Park: December 2, 1980

By The Numbers

Acres: 8,472,520.00
Highest Point: Mount Igikpak (8276 feet)
Annual Visitation: 9,982 (2006)

Location

Latitude / Longitude :
67.646570 / -153.271300 (map it)
State: AK
Nearby Big City: Bettles Field, AK
Gateway Communities: Coldfoot, AK; Bettles, AK
Nearby Airports: Fairbanks International Airport (FAI)

Green Features

Has Recycling? : Yes
Has Shuttle System? : Yes
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes

Park Photos

Gates Of The Arctic : Mountains Stream
Mountains Stream
NPS
Gates Of The Arctic : Plants Sunset
Plants Sunset
NPS
Gates Of The Arctic : Snow Tracks
Snow Tracks
NPS

View More Gates Of The Arctic Photos

In Detail

Animals Birding Because of its endless summer sunlight, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is the summer destination of many migratory birds. In addition, there are a number of year-round residen ... read more.

At A Glance Contact Information By Mail Bettles Ranger Station (Field Operations) P.O. Box 30 Bettles, AK 99726 National Park Service (Fairbanks Headquarters) 4175 Geist Road Fairbanks, AK 99709 By Phone Bettle ... read more.

At A Glance An Unchanging Wilderness For many centuries the unmapped Central Brooks Range had been the homeland of Athapaskan and Inupiat people. These native inhabitants lived off the land wisely, preserving the ... read more.

Camping Camping There are no designated campsites in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. Camping usually takes place in conjunction with other recreational activities. Camping in the arctic requi ... read more.

In A Nutshell Weather and Climate In the wilderness, weather rules. Visitors to Gates of the Arctic need to be prepared for all types of weather. Travel plans in and out of the park are always weather dependant. R ... read more.

Introduction Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve in Alaska's Brooks Range preserves a place that combines vast untouched natural beauty with exceptional scientific value. This area includes a maze of g ... read more.

Lodging & Dining Cabins Visitors to Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve must come to the park prepared. Though USGS topographical maps show cabins located throughout the park, these are misleading. Many of ... read more.

Natural World Wild and Scenic Rivers Rivers have been byways for wildlife and humans for centuries. They are the veins and arteries through the heart of the Gates of the Arctic wilderness. Glaciers sculpted large ... read more.

Park Regulations & Safety Selecting a Wilderness Campsite Arctic tundra is surprisingly fragile and slow to recover. It is best to camp on durable surfaces. Gravel bars make excellent campsites since they often have fewer mos ... read more.

Planning Your Visit Planning Your Visit The Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is open year-round. It is best to call each office prior to arrival to confirm current operational hours. The Fairbanks Headquar ... read more.

Preservation Trash Trash is a major concern in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. If you pack it in, pack it out. Never burn, bury or litter unused food or trash in the field. Trash is also a major c ... read more.

Sights to See Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska Anaktuvuk Pass, is a remote village located within the Park and Preserve Boundaries. It was established along a major caribou migration route in the early 1950's by the last re ... read more.

Staying Safe Staying Safe Visiting the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve in Alaska's Brooks Range is a unique experience. Its sheer size is one factor: The range is over 200 miles long and up to 75 m ... read more.

Things To Do Artist in Residence Application Tips Gates of the Arctic is a unique and remote park.  This in turn creates a unique Artist in Residence program.  As you think about your proposal keep the followin ... read more.

Walking & Hiking Backpacking and Hiking Traveling on foot affords more opportunity for exploration and discovery. Hiking on ridges and overpasses reveals splendid vistas, while the slower pace allows for a closer ins ... read more.