GATES OF THE ARCTIC NATIONAL PARK
Travel Tidings Alaska highlights the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, home to a designated wilderness area, six wild rivers, two national natural landmarks, and the Noatak Biosphere Reserve
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Photo: © Tom Dew NPS, Alaska Division of Tourism |
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is made up of 8.2 million acres in the Brooks Range, the northern most mountain range in the country.
Accessibility:
This remote park is primarily accessible by air taxi from Fairbanks. The Dalton Highway comes within five miles of the park, and some visitors choose to hike from there. The Arctic Interagency Visitor Center, which provides information about the park, is located in Coldfoot along the Dalton Highway. There are no roads or facilities in the park itself.History:
The area was established as a national monument in 1978. It was named a wilderness area, and a national park and preserve, in 1980. The park was designated as a biosphere reserve in 1984.Unique features:
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is home to a designated wilderness area, six wild rivers, two national natural landmarks, and the Noatak Biosphere Reserve. There are also 10 small communities within the park and many of the approximately 1,500 residents depend on park resources to maintain their subsistence lifestyle as well as their cultural traditions.Temperature:
Summer temperatures range from the mid-40s up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Average winter temperatures range from 10 to 30 degrees below zero.Activities and attractions:
The expansive, remote park mainly draws adventurous back country travelers, who enjoy float trips, hiking, camping, climbing and fishing. Although winter visitors are few, dog mushing, cross country skiing, northern lights viewing and snowshoeing are winter options.The diverse landscape, including lakes, rivers, forests, glaciers and tundra, also makes the park an active research area for scientists.