Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is a large, roadless national park in northern Alaska established by federal law in 1980. It protects a vast portion of the central Brooks Range and surrounding Arctic landscapes and covers roughly 8.5 million acres.

Lands within the park have been used for millennia by Iñupiat, Gwich’in and other Alaska Native peoples for hunting, fishing and seasonal travel. The area gained federal protection under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) of 1980, which established the park and preserve to conserve natural and cultural resources while allowing regulated subsistence in parts of the preserve.

The park sits in north-central Alaska within and north of the Brooks Range and above much of the Arctic Circle. The nearest regional hub is Fairbanks to the south for logistical support, while access to the park itself is normally by small aircraft to river landings or village airstrips.

• Access: Most of the park is roadless and lacks marked trails, so travel usually requires bush plane access, rivercraft or extended off-trail travel with wilderness skills.
• Best time to visit: Summer offers continuous daylight in June and July; late summer and early fall are prime times for brown bear and caribou observations along river corridors.

What to See #

• Brooks Range: A long, rugged mountain range crossing the park from west to east; contains the park's highest peaks and provides the primary watershed for rivers such as the Noatak and Alatna.
• Noatak, Kobuk and Alatna rivers: Major wild rivers used for float trips and primary access routes into the park; the Noatak, Kobuk and Alatna each cut deep valleys and support boating routes of 50-200+ miles on typical multi-day trips.
• Villages and airstrips: Small Iñupiat and Gwich'in villages and airstrips that serve as common entry points by bush plane for backcountry trips and supply; includes settlements such as Anaktuvuk Pass within the park boundary.