| Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve | Location Bettles, Alaska | Coordinates 67°47′N 153°18′WCoordinates: 67°47′N 153°18′W | Area 8,472,506 acres (34,287.02 km 2 ) |
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How do I get to the Gates of the Arctic National Park?
Access to the park begins in Fairbanks, Alaska. There are several small airlines in Fairbanks that provide daily flights into the gateway communities of Bettles and Anaktuvuk Pass, and flag stops to Coldfoot.
Most visitors access the park by air taxi
, in small aircraft equipped with floats or tundra tires.
What is the Gates of the Arctic known for?
Along with Kobuk Valley National Park and Noatak National Preserve, Gates of the Arctic
protects much of the habitat of the western arctic caribou
. Grizzlies, wolves, wolverines, and foxes also roam over the severe land in search of food.
Is Gates of the Arctic in the Arctic Circle?
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
lies entirely north of the Arctic Circle
. Its austere beauty and grandeur defy description. It includes the scenic headland of the Brooks Range, the northernmost extension of the Rocky Mountains.
Why is the Gates of the Arctic National Park?
Boreal and Frigid Crags flanking the river, Marshall named the portal the “Gates of the Arctic.” First protected as a U.S. National Monument on December 1, 1978, the area was officially designated as a national park and preserve in 1980 with the passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.
Can you hike into Gates of the Arctic National Park?
There are no official trails in Gates of the Arctic, but there are countless ‘game trails’ established by animals
. When feasible, use game trails as much as possible, not only for minimizing your impacts on the vegetation, but also for ease of travel.
Is Gates of the Arctic worth visiting?
There is no place on Earth quite like Gates of the Arctic National Park.
It’s challenging to get to, ruggedly remote, and extremely rewarding
. Anyone who plans on visiting Gates of the Arctic National Park should be prepared.
How much does it cost to fly to the Gates of the Arctic?
Gates of the Arctic Tour
Ground time in the park is approximately 30 minutes.
$400 per person minimum 2 people
. Add flying through the Gates and Holmes Pass $450 per person minimum 2 people. 2.5 hours for this fully guided tour, approximately an hour of air time.
How much does it cost to get to Gates of the Arctic National Park?
No fees or registration are required
to enter the park; however visitors are requested to stop at one of the park’s visitor centers to attend a backcountry orientation.
What is the most northern national park in the US?
Gates of The Arctic National Park and Preserve
Lying north of the Arctic Circle, this remote park and preserve is the northernmost national park in the U.S. and the second largest, spanning 8,472,506 acres.
What is the least visited national park?
1.
Gates Of The Arctic National Park And Preserve, Alaska
. The least visited national park in the United States in 2020 was Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, with just 2,872 visitors. Gates of the Arctic in northern Alaska also held this honor in 2019 — but then it had 10,518 visitors.
How cold does it get in the Gates of the Arctic?
Average minimum and maximum winter temperatures are
-67F and 33F
. Snow has been recorded in every month of the year and the annual average is 45 inches.
How big is Gates of the Arctic National Park?
13,238 mi2
Which national park is the furthest west?
Buck Island Reef National Monument
in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Interestingly — and somewhat confusingly — the location the U.S. government considers the country’s westernmost point is also named Point Udall.
Are there polar bears in Gates of the Arctic National Park?
It runs east and west into Canada. All of the park lies above the Arctic Circle. There are grizzly bears;
there are polar bears in the northern portions
. Caribou, moose, muskoxen, Arctic foxes, wolves—there’s a plethora of magnificent animals out there.
Is there land in the Arctic Circle?
The land within the Arctic Circle is divided among eight countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, the United States (Alaska), Canada (Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut), Denmark (Greenland), and Iceland (where it passes through the small offshore island of Grímsey).
How many national parks in Alaska can you drive to?
You can drive to
3 of Alaska’s 8 national parks
. The Alaska national parks you can drive to are Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Wrangell St Elias National Park.
What animals live in Gates of the Arctic National Park?
Common wildlife in Gates of the Arctic includes:
grizzly bear, wolves, muskox, caribou, moose, wolverine, fox, Dall sheep and birdlife
. Fish species include grayling, dolly varden trout, arctic char, and chum salmon—it is a sport fisherman’s dream out there!
What are some fun facts about Gates of the Arctic National Park?
- Gates of the Arctic National Park covers a total area of 8,472,506 acres.
- The number of people visiting Gates of the Arctic in 2019 was 10,518 (All Years)
- Gates of the Arctic was made a national park on December 2, 1980.
What national park has no roads?
The least visited of the 63 national parks, Gates of the
Arctic National Park & Preserve
, contains no roads or trails and visitors must fly or hike into the park, according to the National Park Service.
How many mountains are in Gates of the Arctic?
The park and preserve are home to a substantial portion of the Brooks Range, including
74 named mountains
, the highest and most prominent of which is Mount Igikpak (8264ft/2523m).
What national park is above the Arctic Circle?
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is aptly named. Situated above the Arctic Circle, this northern Alaska national park is one of the wildest places on the continent, without a single paved road or trail.
