Gates of the Artic National Park - Alaska -- Americas Best Online

Gates of the Arctic National Park
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is a U.S. National Park in Alaska. It is the northernmost national park in the U.S. and the second largest at 13,238 square miles, about the same size as Switzerland. The park consists primarily of portions of the Brooks Range of mountains. It was first protected as a U.S. National Monument on December 1, 1978, before becoming a national park and preserve two years later in 1980 upon passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. A large part of the park is preserved as a wilderness area; some 11,321 square miles of wilderness which with the adjoining Noatak Wilderness Area forms the largest contiguous wilderness in the United States.

Gates of the Arctic National Park from the airThe park's name dates to 1929, when wilderness activist Bob Marshall, exploring the North Fork of the Koyukuk River, encountered a pair of mountains, one on each side of the river. He christened this portal the "Gates of the Arctic."

Unusual for a U.S. national park, some 1,500 people reside in 10 small communities in the park's "resident subsistence zone" where they rely on park resources for survival.

There are no established roads, trails, visitor facilities, or campgrounds in the park. However, the Dalton Highway comes within five miles of the park's eastern boundary. The National Park Service maintains a small visitor center in nearby Coldfoot on the highway.

The geography contains the arête-peaked Brooks Range and rolling valleys of wild tundra. Fauna include moose, barren-ground grizzlies, Dall sheep, black bears, wolves, and caribou.

Hiking in Gates of the Arctic National Park
Traveling on foot affords more opportunity for exploration and discovery. Hiking on ridges and overpasses reveals splendid vistas, while the slower pace allows for a closer inspection of blooming tundra or wooly caterpillars. Backpacking can take you to the most remote and least traveled areas of the Park and Preserve and day hiking expands the river trip experience.

Hiking tips:

•Because there are no established trails, you must plan your route and use a map and compass, and / or GPS to navigate your way.
•Expect to move at a slower pace in the arctic. The dense vegetation, tussocks, boggy ground and frequent stream and river crossings significantly slow your progress.
•When planning your route keep in mind that a good day of backpacking in the Brooks Range may often be no more than 5-8 miles.
•Adjustable ski poles or hiking poles are very useful.
•You will find easiest walking above the tree line or in the streambeds, if the water level is low.
•When hiking, minimize damage to vegetation by limiting your group size to seven people maximum traveling in one direction/route.
•Seek out durable surfaces or game trails for hiking. Where no game trails exist, walk in a fan formation, rather than a straight line.

CONTACTS
Bettles Ranger Station (Field Ops)
P.O. Box 26030
Bettles, AK 99726
Email - GAAR_Visitor_Information@nps.gov
Fax- 907-692-5400
Visitor Information - 907-692-5494 (BTT)
Headquarters - 907-456-0281 (FAI)

TRAVEL
Operating Hours, Seasons
The Park and Preserve are open year round. It is best to call each office prior to arrival to confirm current operational hours.

Fairbanks Headquarters: Open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closed on Holidays.

Bettles Ranger Station / Visitor Center: From mid-June to Labor Day: Open 7 days a week, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (sometimes closed noon - 1:00pm for lunch). Remainder of Year: Open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - Noon / 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed on Holidays.

Coldfoot Visitor Center: Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, 7 days a week, 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Anaktuvuk Pass Ranger Station: Year-round outside Visitor display. Call for ranger station hours.

Getting There
PLANE - Scheduled air taxis from Fairbanks serve Anaktuvuk Pass, Bettles, and Coldfoot. Charter flights may also be arranged. Bush charters are available from Bettles and Coldfoot into the park and preserve boundaries. Travelers to Anaktuvuk Pass can hike into the park and preserve boundaries, but anticipate covering no more than one mile per hour.

CAR - There are no roads in the park, although the Dalton Highway comes within about 5 miles of the park's eastern boundary. Other than hiking in from the Dalton Highway (across one or two rivers then over the mountain passes, normally at a maximum rate of one mile per hour) access is generally by air.

Weather & Climate
The central Brooks Range has long, severe winters and relatively short, cool summers. The entire region receives continuous sunlight during the summer for at least 30 days. Conversely, winter visitors will experience long, cold periods of darkness and twilight.

The south side of the Brooks Range below 2,500 feet is generally a sub-arctic climate zone. Precipitation is low, averaging 12-18 inches in the west and 8-12 inches in the east. Snow can fall any months of the year, averaging 60-80 inches. The average maximum and minimum July temperatures are 70F and 46F, respectively. Thunderstorm activity is common during June and July, and June through September is generally the wettest time of year. Prevailing winds are out of the north. Freezing temperatures may occur at any time of the year, but particularly from mid-August on. Average minimum and maximum January temperatures are -10F and -30F but frequently reach -50F.

The north side of the Brooks Range has an arctic climate. Mean annual temperatures are colder than on the south side. Maximum and minimum February temperatures range from 33F to -47F. The warmest month, July, has a 60F maximum and 40F minimum. Precipitation is extremely light, about 5-10 inches per year, making this essentially an 'arctic desert'. Snow has been recorded in every month of the year, and the annual average is 45 inches. Prevailing winds are greatly modified by local terrain.

CAMPING
No established campgrounds
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is a wilderness designated region. Therefore there are no campgrounds, roads, established trails or other maintained visitor facilities within it's boundaries.

LODGING
No established NPS lodging
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is a wilderness designated region. Therefore there are no campgrounds, roads, established trails or other maintained visitor facilities within it's boundaries.

Ranger Stations
ANAKTUVUK PASS RANGER STATION
Phone - (907) 661-3520
Location - Anaktuvuk Pass, AK
Closures - Periodically this Ranger Station is unmanned. Please contact the Bettles Ranger Station / Visitor Center when you cannot reach a Ranger at this location.
Special Programs - Visitors seeking a Ranger's assistance should call in advance to schedule an appointment.
Exhibits - An outside Backcountry Orientation and Visitor Registration display is accessible year-round.