Gates of the Arctic National Park
State: Alaska
Size: 8,472,506 acres
Topography: Tundra, Mountain
Peak Season: Summer
Nearest Airport: Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) – Charter Flight Required
Nearest Town: Bettles, AK
Top 5 Hikes
Arrigetch Creek Trail
John River Trail
Upper Itkillik River Trail
Bonanza Creek Trail
Noatak River Trail
Points of Interest
Brooks Range: A rugged mountain range that spans the park, offering a pristine wilderness experience for backcountry hikers.
Arrigetch Peaks: Towering, jagged peaks that are a challenging destination for experienced climbers and adventurers.
Noatak River: A remote river running through the park, ideal for canoeing and wilderness exploration.
Wildlife Viewing: The park is home to large populations of caribou, moose, and wolves, as well as birdwatching opportunities.
Recreational Opportunities
Backpacking & Wilderness Trekking – No roads, no trails, just raw Arctic wilderness.
Wildlife Viewing – Caribou, grizzly bears, and Arctic foxes roam freely.
Fishing – Remote rivers and lakes hold Arctic grayling and lake trout.
Rafting & Kayaking – Paddle the wild Alatna and Noatak Rivers.
Aurora Viewing – One of the best national parks to see the Northern Lights.
Camping
No designated campgrounds
Backcountry camping (permit recommended)