Gate of the Arctic National Park & Preserve

Introduction

Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is America's most remote, pristine and least-visited national park. Entirely above the Arctic Circle, it has no roads, trails, campgrounds or facilities — only pure, untouched wilderness. America's second-largest national park by area, it receives only a handful of visitors each year, the country's last truly undeveloped wilderness. Covering about 34,000 km² entirely north of the Arctic Circle, the park has no roads, built trails, campgrounds or visitor centers — everything remains in its most pristine state. Named by explorer Bob Marshall in 1929 after two facing mountains he called the "Gates of the Arctic" — like a gateway to the Arctic wilderness. The magnificent Brooks Range — North America's northernmost mountain range — fills the park with peaks, glaciers, tundra, clear rivers and pristine forest. It lies along one of North America's caribou migration routes, home to grizzlies, wolves, moose and Dall sheep. Access requires a small plane from Fairbanks landing on tundra or riverbeds, or hiking from the Dalton Highway. Visiting Gates of the Arctic is an ultimate wilderness expedition requiring solid outdoor experience, navigation skills and self-sufficiency.

✨ Highlights

🛈 Practical Info