Gates of the Arctic National Park

Arctic Circle, Native Culture, Wildlife Viewing, Tundra, Anaktuvuk Pass

Alaska’s Gates of the Arctic National Park is a wilderness paradise. For over 11,000 years, Alaska Natives have lived and survived on the land now encompassed by Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska’s Far North Region, primarily by hunting caribou. The area’s cultural history is still visible today in the daily lives of the people living within the park boundaries. The beautiful Brooks Mountain Range spans the park and offers explorers an ultimate Alaska wilderness adventure. Backpackers sometimes spend weeks traveling through the park’s sub-arctic landscape. The wildlife in the park includes muskoxen, bears, moose, and caribou. Three different herds of caribou migrate through the region.

Gates of the Arctic National Park’s summer season is from mid-May to mid-September. The main park ranger station is located in Anaktuvuk Pass Village. The village hosts visitors from around the world, and offers tours about life in the village. It is important to note that Anaktuvuk Pass Village is not a recreated model, it is a real Alaskan village, and the privacy of its residents must be respected during tours. Most visitors fly from Fairbanks to Anaktuvuk Pass for a day tour, though drive/fly combination tours to the area are also offered. These escorted van tours travel north from Fairbanks on the Dalton Highway to Coldfoot. From here, visitors then fly on to Anaktuvuk Pass. While this tour is longer, it gives the sub-arctic Alaska landscape a better feel. All these tours cross the Arctic Circle, and each visitor receives a personal Arctic Circle certificate for this accomplishment.

No overnight accommodations are inside the Gates of the Arctic National Park boundaries. Only day excursions are offered into the park. However, Bettles Lodge is nearby, located in the Brooks Range, and perfect for guests wishing to overnight in the Far North. You can take day tours or flightseeing tours from Bettles into the Gates of the Arctic.

 

Choose from 13 vacations in Alaska related to Gates of the Arctic National Park

All tours
Save to Favorites
Unique Itinerary
a person standing next to a wooden sign reading "Arctic Circle, Dalton Highway, Alaska, Latitude 66, 33"

An Alaskan Odyssey

This unique itinerary takes you from the North Pacific waters of Prince William Sound to the Arctic coast near Prudhoe Bay. This itinerary is for independent travelers seeking a chance to see the incredible diversity of Alaska, from... Browse itinerary

Save to Favorites

Gates of the Arctic Air Adventure

This flightseeing trip from Fairbanks in the evening takes you to the Gates of the Arctic National Park and the Arctic Region.  You will first fly from Fairbanks to Coldfoot, 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle.  During... Browse itinerary

Save to Favorites

Bettles Lodge Summer Experience

Fly from Fairbanks along the Yukon River to the foothills of Alaska's Brooks Range. Bettles Lodge offers simple but comfortable accommodations and genuine hospitality for all guests. Included is a guided tour of Bettles and the small village... Browse itinerary

Save to Favorites

Bettles Lodge Winter Adventure

Fly from Fairbanks across the tremendous interior region of Alaska, landing 35 miles across the Arctic Circle in the remote outpost of Bettles. The area surrounding Bettles boasts many clear sky nights and sits directly below the aurora... Browse itinerary

Loading Tours...