Why Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve protects a vast expanse of the central Brooks Range in northern Alaska. As the northernmost national park in the United States, it lies entirely above the Arctic Circle and encompasses the nation's second-largest area of combined parkland and preserve. The terrain spans the continental divide, featuring mountain ranges such as the Endicott and Schwatka Mountains, alpine lakes, glacier-carved valleys, and lowlands surrounding the headwaters of the Kobuk River. Walker Lake, located on the southern slopes, stands as the park's largest body of water. Six designated Wild and Scenic Rivers flow through the territory, including the Alatna, Kobuk, and the North Fork of the Koyukuk.
Indigenous peoples have inhabited the region for roughly 12,500 years. The Iñupiat Nunamiut and Gwich'in historically moved through these lands to hunt wildlife. Today, the Iñupiat settlement of Anaktuvuk Pass remains surrounded by the park, housing the Simon Paneak Memorial Museum, which highlights regional physical history and culture. In 1929, wilderness advocate Bob Marshall named the region after observing two prominent peaks, Frigid Crags and Boreal Mountain, framing the North Fork of the Koyukuk River. First established as a national monument in 1978, the site was officially designated a national park and preserve in 1980. Almost the entire area is designated wilderness, with no paved roads, official trails, or built campgrounds.
The natural landscape transitions from southern boreal forests of spruce and poplar into expansive northern tundra covered in mosses, lichens, and short shrubby willows. The park serves as a habitat for diverse wildlife, including brown and black bears, Dall sheep, muskoxen, moose, wolves, and wolverines. More than half a million caribou migrate across the Brooks Range twice each year between their seasonal grounds. Local waterways support fish species such as Arctic char, grayling, and chum salmon, while raptors like bald eagles, golden eagles, and peregrine falcons soar overhead.
Due to its extreme remoteness and absence of infrastructure, Gates of the Arctic is the least visited national park in the country. Visitors generally reach the region by bush plane or by hiking from the nearby Dalton Highway to the east across a river. Popular activities include backcountry hiking, pack-rafting, and sightseeing tours, with destinations like the Arrigetch Peaks and Mount Igikpak drawing outdoor enthusiasts. Camping is permitted across the park territory. Travel planning assistance is available from late May to early September at the Arctic Interagency Visitor Center in Coldfoot, while park facilities include ranger stations in Bettles and Anaktuvuk Pass.
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