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Gates of the Arctic National Park, photo 1 of 5

Photo: Cadence C. Cook / Public domain · source

Mountains

Gates of the Arctic National Park

Bettles, AK · Brooks Range, Interior AlaskaFreeFree; no entrance fee or registration

About

No road enters Gates of the Arctic, 8,472,505 acres of the central Brooks Range about 200 air miles north of Fairbanks. Air taxis out of Fairbanks, Bettles and Coldfoot do the day trips and drop-offs, and bad weather often grounds them, so build a few spare days into the plan. With no trails to follow, experienced hikers call six miles a good day. The Arrigetch Peaks, granite pinnacles whose name is said to mean fingers of the hand extended, rise 3,000 to 4,000 feet above the valleys you backpack up to reach them. Overnight trips need a bear-resistant food container, and all four of the park's visitor centers lend them free.

Highlights

North of the Arctic CircleNo roads or trailsAir taxis from Fairbanks, Bettles, ColdfootGranite Arrigetch PeaksSix Wild and Scenic RiversWestern Arctic caribou herd range

Getting there

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, 101 Dunkel Street, Suite 110, Fairbanks, AK 99701

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The United States National Parks63 places

The United States National Parks

All 63, for anyone keeping count, with the famous ones up top and the quieter ones further down.