Good to know
- Tickets
- There is no entry fee. Guided trips and air taxis are the main cost.
- Time needed
- At least a week for a backpacking or river trip.
- Best time
- Late June to August, when rivers are open and days are long. Bugs are worst in July.
- Getting there
- Most trips fly from Fairbanks to Bettles or Coldfoot, then take an air taxi into the park. Coldfoot is about 6 hours from Fairbanks by car on the Dalton Highway.
Where to stay nearby
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Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve questions
How do I get to Gates of the Arctic?
You fly in. Take a flight from Fairbanks to Bettles, Coldfoot or Anaktuvuk Pass, then charter an air taxi to a lake or river in the park.
Do I need a permit for Gates of the Arctic?
No permit is needed for private visitors, but the park asks you to attend a backcountry orientation in Bettles, Coldfoot or Fairbanks.
Can I visit Gates of the Arctic without a guide?
Yes, but only if you have strong wilderness, navigation and bear-safety skills. Most first-time visitors book a guided trip.
