Owing its name to a mission of simply seeking-out and exploring “blank spaces on maps”, Alaska’s Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve rewards those seeking solitude and self-reliance. Spanning over 8.4 million acres, this vast and remote park is home to some of the most rugged and spectacular landscapes on the planet.
Guide to Gates of the Arctic
Gates of the Arctic National Park
Gates of the Arctic is a world away from where you sit right now. I know cause if you were in Gates, your wifi wouldn’t work quite this well. This park is out there, way out there. There are no roads, no trails, no campgrounds, no services, no bars, no cars and consequently, no people. So all you folks bitchin’ about too many visitors loving your parks to death… Gates is for you!
So, one may ask, what is here? Well, there are endless mountains of the grandest scales, lakes that seem as if they exist only in a painting and rivers running into distant horizons that lie hidden behind more mountains. There are also plenty of mosquitoes, so bring your bugspray.
For those seeking adventure and solitude, Gates of the Arctic offers unparalleled opportunities for hiking, backpacking, fishing, wildlife viewing and even hunting. With no roads, no trails, and no facilities, the park provides an unparalleled sense of wilderness and self-sufficiency. It’s a place where you can truly disconnect from the modern world and immerse yourself in the raw beauty of nature.
Where is Gates of the Arctic?
Gates of the Arctic National Park is located in the northern part of Alaska, in the United States. The park lies entirely above the Arctic Circle, and covers over 8.4 million acres of wilderness in the Brooks Range. The park is located approximately 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, and is bordered by the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to the east and the Kobuk Valley National Park to the west.
The nearest communities are small villages and towns scattered throughout the region, most of which are accessible only by small aircraft or boat. The village of Anaktuvuk Pass, located within the park’s boundaries, is the closest community to the park. The village is home to approximately 300 people and is the only settlement located entirely within the park.
These communities of Bettles, Coldfoot and Wiseman offer lodging, food, and other basic necessities for visitors, as well as opportunities to learn about the local culture and history of the region. Expect the basics and expect them to be spendy.
Getting to Gates of the Arctic
Despite its remote location, Gates of the Arctic is not as inaccessible as you might think. There are several ways to access the park, including by air taxi, floatplane, or hiking in from nearby communities, if you’re up for it. Most visitors to Gates of the Arctic enter via floatplanes that land on lakes or via bush planes that touch down on gravel bars deep inside the parks numerous mountainous valleys.
Exploring Gates of the Arctic
Once you arrive, you’ll find that the park is relatively easy to navigate. I mean, sorta… with a few main river valleys and mountain passes providing access to some of the most scenic areas, the agile hiker or climber has a bevy of opportunity to explore some of the most insane mountain terrain on the face of the Earth!
The centerpiece of the park is the Brooks Range, a massive pile of exposed subterranean debris that cuts right through the heart of the park. With peaks reaching over 9,000 feet, this range offers stunning views of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and alpine tundra. As one should expect, adventuring in the Brooks Range can be challenging, with steep climbs, rugged terrain, and unpredictable weather. The rewards however, are well worth the effort.
Experienced river runners, backpackers and mountaineers will find abundant pursuits in this most rugged and unforgiving landscape. Fishermen will cast lures into the endless northern sunsets, while hunters track and take wild game in one of the wildest and most remote sections of the North American continent in the “preserve” section of the park. This is a truly Alaskan park, as it should be.
For those interested in wildlife viewing, Gates of the Arctic offers an abundance of opportunities to observe some of the most iconic Arctic species, such as grizzly bears, wolves, caribou, and Dall sheep. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including bald eagles, gyrfalcons, and arctic terns.
Roughing it in Gates of the Arctic
One of the unique aspects of Gates of the Arctic is its lack of facilities and infrastructure. There are no roads, campgrounds, or visitor centers in the park, which means visitors must be self-sufficient and prepared to handle the challenges of backcountry travel. This also means that visitors must adhere to strict Leave No Trace principles, ensuring that they leave the park as they found it and minimize their impact on the fragile ecosystem.
Despite the challenges of visiting a remote and wild place like Gates, the experience is truly unforgettable. There is nothing quite like the feeling of standing on a remote mountaintop, surrounded by miles of untouched wilderness, with nothing but the sound of the wind and the rustling of the tundra to keep you company. It’s a place that reminds us of the power and beauty of nature, and the importance of preserving these wild places for future generations.
Park Junkie Verdict
So, in the Park Junkie custom of full disclosure, this is one of the few parks I’ve yet to visit. I’m really looking forward to getting deep into the mountains of the Brooks Range though, and my eyes come alive with fire when I see photos and footage from this place. It truly looks as if I’ll enjoy this land thoroughly. It also looks as if I better hit the cardio and the weights, because I bet those mountains don’t take no mess from us lowly humans…
Despite my shortcomings in not making it to Gates just yet, I’ll put this guide together as a man possessed, as I’m designing it for myself… That means you better just toss this thing in the trash, because I rarely plan anything at all… But for you my friends, I’ll do it. Just this once… & don’t ask me to stop the damn car either.
So, anyway, in this guide, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to plan your trip to Gates of the Arctic National Park. We’ll cover everything from transportation and logistics to hiking routes and wildlife viewing tips.
Although I’ve yet to cross the boundary into Gates, I’ll tell you now: I know this place does not suck… Here, it seems adventurers may set out to explore the northern reaches of our planet, but I imagine many come away having found more of an opportunity to explore themselves.
See ya there…
Guide to Gates of the Arctic
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