National park · Alaska

Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve

The northernmost U.S. national park, sitting entirely above the Arctic Circle in the Central Brooks Range, with no roads, no trails, and no campgrounds across its 8.4 million acres of caribou range.

Entrance
No fee listed by NPS
Hours
Open 24 hours daily Park & Preserve are always open
Established
December 1, 1978
Region
Alaska
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve
Photo: NPS Photo · Public domain (US National Park Service)
The Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve patch

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History

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is the northernmost national park in the United States, protecting a vast and wild area of the Central Brooks Range. It serves as a critical habitat for various wildlife and preserves the cultural heritage of the indigenous peoples who have inhabited the region for thousands of years.

Key events

  1. December 1, 1978Gates of the Arctic National Monument proclaimed by President Jimmy Carter.
  2. December 2, 1980Established as a national park and preserve by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.
  3. Initially designated as a national monument in 1978, it was redesignated as a national park and preserve in 1980.

Trails

  • Arrigetch Peaks Area Variable · Hard
  • Walker Lake Area Variable · Moderate
  • Noatak River 80+ mi · Hard
  • Kobuk River 60+ mi · Moderate
  • Frigid Crags to Boreal Mountain 10 mi · Hard

Plan your visit

Hours · Park & Preserve are always open

Open 24 hours, every day

No closed times or seasons for Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve. Visitor Center hours vary greatly by location and season. See Visitor Center Hours for more information!

Entrance fees

NPS lists no entrance fee for this park.

Check current details on NPS.gov

When to go

  • Summer. Only accessible season, 50-70°F temps, 24-hour daylight, caribou migration
  • Late Summer. Best for caribou viewing July-August, fall colors begin
  • Spring. Melting snow, longer days, wildlife emerging but wet conditions
  • Winter. Extreme cold, minimal daylight, only for experienced Arctic travelers

Wildlife

CaribouGrizzly bearsWolvesDall sheepMooseMuskoxenGolden eaglesArctic grayling
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