Gates of the Arctic National Park
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- National Parks
- Gates of the Arctic National Park
As the northernmost national park in the U.S., Gates of the Arctic National Park is home to some of the most pristine wilderness in the world. Part of Alaska's Brooks Range is located in the park, and this mountain range features steep mountains, rivers, lakes, and spectacular treeless valleys. The only way into this remote protected area is by flight or backcountry hiking. Unlike other National Parks, there are no roads, trails, or ranger stations in Gates of the Artic.
While there aren't any RV campgrounds in Gates of the Arctic National Park, you'll find some are near Fairbanks. In Fairbanks, there are several authorized air taxi providers that offer flights into park. Furthermore, backcountry camping is allowed throughout the national park, and you can drive to access points along the Dalton Highway.
It's best to go between June and September, and you'll be able to enjoy 24 hours of sunlight there from late May through mid-July. In addition, the park's location above the Arctic Circle makes it an ideal place to view the northern lights. However, they're only visible when it gets dark enough at night from September to March. Conditions tend to be quite cold in the park during these months, but it's also possible to view the northern lights while driving along the Dalton Highway and from the small communities of the Brooks Mountains.
- Spring -2-17 F
- Summer 40-60 F
- Fall 3-15 F
- Winter -19- -4F
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Gates of the Arctic National Park Hiking Trails
Since there are no trails in Gates of the Arctic, it's essential to plan your route thoroughly before heading out. Always carry a GPS system, a detailed topo map, and a compass for backup. Also, it's essential to plan alternate routes, which can be used in case of a change in the weather, rising water levels, natural disasters or other factors that will require changes to your plans.
Things to do Outside Gates of the Arctic National Park
The park itself is extremely remote, which means that many activities will require a significant drive of a few hours. However, you'll be able to find a wide range of options for dining, shopping, museums and more in the communities of northern Alaska and Fairbanks. Some restaurants in Fairbanks to check out are Pump House Restaurant, Aloha BBQ Grill, Seoul Gate Restaurant, Fuji Japanese Restaurant and Oasis Restaurant and Lounge. There are plenty of shopping options in this city as well. You can shop at Arctic Travelers Gift Shop, the Gavora Mall, Craft Market Gift Shop and Craft Supplies, Old Navy and REI. You can also take a picture of yourself at the Arctic Circle sign when you're driving to the park's access points along Dalton Highway, and some other stops to make along Dalton Highway before you reach the park are Gobbler's Knob and Finger Mountain.
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RV Resorts & Campsites near Gates of the Arctic National Park
There are no campgrounds in Gates of the Arctic National Park. However, primitive camping is allowed. Most people who camp in the park do so while enjoying other recreational activities, such as hiking. It's recommended that you set up camp on durable ground that's located well above the water level.
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How to get to Gates of the Arctic National Park
If you're planning on RVing to Gates of the Artic National, keep in mind that tou cannot directly get to the park by vehicle. However, it's possible to travel by RV on the 277-mile-long Dalton Highway from Fairbanks and hike in at various points. In fact, you can even hike to the park from Marion Creek Campground.
Many visitors fly into the by renting a charter flight in Fairbanks or Coldfoot. There are daily air taxies provided to communities of Bettles and Anaktuvuk Pass as well as Coldfoot. The nearest major airport is Fairbanks International Airport, and you'll be able to drive to the park's access points or rent a charter flight from here.
To drive to the park's access points from Fairbanks, take Alaska Route 2 West until you reach Alaska Route 11 North. Take Alaska Route 11 (Dalton Highway) north to find places where you can hike west into the park. You'll be able to find these unmarked access points around Coldfoot, which is a six-hour drive from Fairbanks. While you can hike into the park from both Coldfoot and Wiseman, it's often easier to enter from further north. Some examples of these access points are Jennie Creek, Vi Creek and various valleys to the west of the Dalton Highway even further north.
Frequently Asked Questions
Parts of Gates of the Arctic are accessible for disabled visitors. Visitor centers have wheelchair-accessible ramps and designated parking. There are no trails or NPS facilities in the park, but there are businesses that provide transportation and tours. Check with each individual business to see what accommodations they make for disabled guests.
Pets are allowed at Gates of the Arctic National Park. There are no areas that are closed to pets at the park, but they must be on a leash that is 6 feet in length or shorter, or in a crate or otherwise confined.
Some of the top things to do in Gates of the Arctic National Park include hiking, fishing, flight-seeing tours, and watching for wildlife including bears, wolves, and caribou. Although there are no designated hiking trails in the park, there are game trails for backpackers and hikers to follow.
No, there are no designated camping spots in Gates of the Arctic National Park. Tent campers can set up anywhere within the park, taking into account the fragile ecosystem of the area. RV campers can set up in Fairbanks, where there are several campgrounds available.
Gates of the Arctic National Park is 13,238 square miles large, or almost 8.5 million acres. It's the second-largest national park in the U.S.
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