North of the Arctic Circle lies a wildland barely changed from time immemorial, a park whose name invites adventure and exploration-Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. Even amidst the grand landscapes of Alaska, the 8-million-acre Gates of the Arctic remains a treasured destination for wilderness exploration.
Gates of the Arctic is a national park like few others. Its remoteness makes access challenging. No roads enter the park, nor do any trails mark the landscape. Knowledgeable park rangers staff visitor centers in Fairbanks, Coldfoot, and Bettles and help visitors prepare for their trips into the Brooks Range. Most enter the park via bush plane, while some hardy hikers trek through difficult terrain to access the park from the remote, rugged, and mostly gravel Dalton Highway, the road closest to the park boundary.
