Things to do in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
A roadless Arctic Alaska wilderness of Brooks Range mountains, wild rivers, tundra, caribou migration routes, and self-reliant backcountry travel.
Best months: June, July, August, September
What is worth your time in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
Arrigetch PeaksDo not miss
The granite spires of the Arrigetch are the park's most iconic alpine wilderness destination.
Hike · 10 hr4.5
Bear Safety OrientationDo not miss
A bear safety and Leave No Trace orientation is essential preparation for Arctic backcountry travel.
Ranger Program · 1.1 hr
Brooks Range BackpackingDo not miss
Trail-less backpacking across tundra, passes, and river valleys is the core Gates of the Arctic experience.
Hike · 10 hr
Fairbanks Alaska Public Lands Information CenterDo not miss
This indoor orientation stop is the best practical starting point for permits, bear safety, maps, and route planning.
Ranger Program · 1.5 hr
Arctic Interagency Visitor Center
The Coldfoot visitor center gives road-accessible Arctic context and last-stop safety information near the Brooks Range.
Ranger Program · 1.1 hr4.9
Alatna River
The Alatna is a premier wild river journey through Brooks Range scenery and remote tundra.
Water Activity · 10 hr
Anaktuvuk Pass
The Nunamiut community and surrounding pass offer cultural context and dramatic Brooks Range access.
Other · 3 hr
Dalton Highway Arctic Viewpoints
Road-accessible viewpoints near the Brooks Range give a safer taste of Gates terrain without flying in.
Viewpoint · 2 hr
Gates of the Arctic Flightseeing
A flightseeing trip offers the most realistic way for many visitors to see the scale of the roadless park.
Viewpoint · 3 hr
Gates of the Arctic Night Sky
Dark Arctic nights can bring extraordinary stars and aurora outside the midnight-sun season.
Stargazing · 2 hr
Grayling Lake
Grayling Lake routes near Anaktuvuk Pass can provide tundra hiking with Brooks Range views.
Hike · 4.5 hr
John River
The John River is a classic Brooks Range float corridor for skilled parties starting near Anaktuvuk Pass.
Water Activity · 10 hr
Noatak River Headwaters
The Noatak headwaters offer one of North America great remote Arctic river wilderness trips.
Water Activity · 10 hr
Tinayguk River
This remote river corridor offers solitude, tundra walking, and Brooks Range wilderness for experienced parties.
Water Activity · 10 hr
And 1 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Gates of the Arctic is famous for being entirely roadless, remote Brooks Range wilderness, Arrigetch Peaks, wild rivers, caribou, solitude, and expedition-level backpacking.