Visit Wilderness

Location

The park lies entirely north of the Arctic Circle beginning at approximately 67 degrees north latitude. It straddles the central Brooks Range on both the north and south sides. The park is bordered on the east by the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, Dalton Highway and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. On the west the park is bordered by the Noatak National Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park. To the south the park is bordered by Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge. To the north the park is bordered by the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. The only road accessible visitor center is located in Coldfoot, AK. From this location information can be found on where to access the park from the road. Visitor Centers are also located in Bettles and Anaktuvuk Pass, communities that are accessed by aircraft only. There are no trailheads into the Gates Wilderness. When you leave the road or aircraft behind you make your own decisions regarding navigation and pathfinding.

Maps

Digital and paper maps are critical tools for wilderness visitors. Online maps can help you plan and prepare for your visit ahead of time. You can also carry digital maps with you on your GPS unit or other handheld GPS device. Having a paper map with you in the backcountry, as well as solid orienteering skills, however, ensures that you can still route-find in the event that your electronic device fails.

Online Maps

• Interactive Map of the Gates of the Arctic Wilderness

• Google Earth

• Alaska Wildernesses

Printed Maps

• Fetching MyTopo from Database
• USGS Store

Applicable Wilderness Law(s)

Recreational Opportunities

Gates of the Arctic is our nation's largest wilderness area with a management focus emphasizing self-reliance, remoteness and wilderness stewardship. Recreational opportunities abound and are usually accomplished via non-motorized watercraft or backpacking. There are six Wild and Scenic Rivers encompassed by the Park and access to them provides a high quality wilderness experience. There are incredible opportunities for solitude, wilderness camping, river travel, wildlife viewing, photography, etc. For trip planning purposes you may wish to visit the Gates of the Arctic website.

Climate and Special Equipment Needs

Gates of the Arctic is in an arctic and sub-arctic ecosystem. Weather is extreme in both summer and winter. Most visitors visit the park in the summer months of June through September. Summer weather can include snow and rain, or 90 degrees and drought. Winter is dark and cold with temperatures plunging to 40 degrees below zero and colder in December and January. Most visitation during winter conditions occurs in March and April when there is 12 hours and more of daylight and daytime temperatures from 20 below to 20 above. Visitors must come prepared for a wide range of temperatures and conditions at any time of the year. Be sure that you have good gear that is warm even when wet. Bring additional food in case your air taxi is delayed for several days due to poor weather. Visitors must be skilled in the use of map and compass/GPS.

Safety and Current Conditions

Park Rangers are on staff at all three visitor centers to give you current conditions (if available) for the area that you are interested in visiting. However, the park is a remote wilderness and conditions are subject to rapid and unpredictable change. A backcountry safety orientation is available in person at the visitor centers, online, or through the mail with an on-loan DVD.

Want to Volunteer for Wilderness?

People who volunteer their time to steward our wilderness areas are an essential part of wilderness management. Contact the following groups to inquire about volunteer opportunities. Groups are listed alphabetically by the state(s) in which the wilderness is located.