Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve
This vast landscape does not contain any roads or trails. Visitors discover intact ecosystems where people have lived with the land for over ten thousand years. Wild rivers meander through glacier-carved valleys, caribou migrate along age-old trails, endless summer light fades into aurora-lit night skies of winter. Virtually unchanged, except by the forces of nature. — nps.gov
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve at a glance
- State
- Alaska
- Established
- December 2, 1980
- Size
- 7,523,897 acres
- 2025 visits
- 14,923
- Busiest-park rank
- #62 of 63
- Entrance
- Free entry
Best time to visit
When is Gates of the Arctic quiet?
Gates of the Arctic is busiest in July and quietest in January. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, September is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.
In 2025 the park logged 14,923 recreation visits, the #62 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.
Crowd calendar, all 63 parks →Is Gates of the Arctic open right now? →
Average visits by month
2021–2025 · NPS IRMAQuietest: JanuaryBusiest: July
Fees & passes
What it costs to visit Gates of the Arctic
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve charges no entrance fee.
From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026.
Reservations · 2026
No park-wide reservation
The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
Things to do
Things to do in Gates of the Arctic
- Backpack the Brooks Range's Arctic WildernessSummer, Fall
Traveling through the park on foot affords opportunities of exploration and discovery. Mountain ridges and passes reveal splendid vistas and can take you to the most remote and least traveled areas of the entire…
Pets OK - Float a Wild & Scenic RiverSummer, Fall
From wide glacial valleys to sweeping vistas in the headwaters, to rolling tundra, the wild rivers of Gates of the Arctic can take you on an adventure you’ll never forget. Rivers have been byways for wildlife and humans…
Pets OK
From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.
By activity
- Backcountry Camping51
- Backcountry Hiking43
- Camping60
- Canoe or Kayak Camping20
- Canoeing19
- Climbing26
- Hiking60
- Hunting9
- Hunting and Gathering11
- Kayaking23
- Mountain Climbing11
- Off-Trail Permitted Hiking13
- Paddling32
- Rock Climbing15
- Whitewater Rafting7
The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.
Weather
Weather at Gates of the Arctic
The climate of Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is generally classified as arctic and sub-arctic, with exceptionally cold winters, relatively mild summers, low annual precipitation, and generally high winds. The weather is influenced by many different systems, and can change rapidly.!!
From the National Park Service.
Getting there
Getting to Gates of the Arctic
Gates of the Arctic is a wilderness park, with no roads or trails into the park lands, so visitors must fly or hike into the park. Access begins in Fairbanks, Alaska & there are several small airlines that provide daily flights into the communities of Bettles, Anaktuvuk Pass, and Coldfoot.
Most visitors access the park by air taxi or hike in from the Dalton Highway or from the village of Anaktuvuk Pass. River crossings are necessary from both locations.
No road in: Gates of the Arctic is a wilderness park, with no roads or trails into the park lands, so visitors must fly or hike into the park.
101 Dunkel St, Fairbanks, AK, 99701 · Directions on nps.gov
Nearby
National parks near Gates of the Arctic
- Kobuk Valley National Park158 miGates of the Arctic is not reachable by road
- Denali National Park & Preserve315 miGates of the Arctic is not reachable by road
- Lake Clark National Park & Preserve497 miGates of the Arctic is not reachable by road
- Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve539 miGates of the Arctic is not reachable by road
- Kenai Fjords National Park557 miGates of the Arctic is not reachable by road
- Katmai National Park & Preserve634 miGates of the Arctic is not reachable by road
Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.
Gates of the Arctic is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.
Photos of Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve
FAQ
Gates of the Arctic, quickly
- When is the best time to visit Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve?
- If you want fewer people, go in September, the quietest shoulder-season month. July is the busiest month on average, and January the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
- How much does it cost to visit Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve?
- Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve has no entrance fee, according to the National Park Service. Some tours, campgrounds or permits may still cost money.
- Do you need a reservation for Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve in 2026?
- The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
- When did Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve become a national park?
- Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve was established as a national park on December 2, 1980.
- What is the closest national park to Gates of the Arctic?
- Kobuk Valley National Park, about 158 miles away in a straight line.
Sources · 3
- 1.Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve — official site · National Park Service
- 2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
- 3.Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)
About this page
Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/gaar.
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