Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve

In A Nutshell

CONTENTS

Weather and Climate

In the wilderness, weather rules. Visitors to Gates of the Arctic need to be prepared for all types of weather. Travel plans in and out of the park are always weather dependant. Rain and snowmelt can cause rivers to rise, making some routes impassable. Visitors should have enough food to stay extra days in the park and try to have flexible travel plans in case flights into the park are delayed.

Kobuk River

Approximate Length	110 mi / 177 km
Scenic Quality	Wide valleys with sweeping vistas of nearby hills and low mountains; Walker Lake; two canyons
Recreational Opportunities	Exceptional float river; a few short stretches of extremely rugged rapids (up to class V); good opportunities for sport hunting ( in Preserve only), wildlife observation and backpacking
Geologic Features	Endicott Mountains of central Brooks Range; upper and lower Kobuk canyons
Natural Resources	Variety of fish and wildlife; one of largest concentrations of sheefish; wintering grounds for Western Arctic caribou herd; one of the largest continuous spruce forest areas in the Brooks Range
Cultural Resources	Highly significant potential for archeology because of continuous occupation and links between inland Eskimo people. The Kobuk River was the site of a minor gold rush at the turn of the century.

Operating Hours & Seasons

The Park and Preserve are open year round. It is best to call each office prior to arrival to confirm current operational hours.

Fairbanks Headquarters
4175 Geist Rd.
Fairbanks, AK 99709
(907) 457-5752

Open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closed on holidays.

Bettles Ranger Station / Visitor Center
PO Box 26030
Bettles Field, AK 99726
(907) 692-5495

From mid-June to the end of September: open 7 days a week, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (sometimes closed noon - 1:00 p.m. for lunch). Remainder of Year: open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - noon / 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed on holidays.

Marion Creek Ranger Station
(907) 678-2004
Near Coldfoot, Alaska, on the Dalton Highway

Open year-round Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - noon / 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed on Holidays.

Arctic Interagency Visitor Center
Coldfoot, AK
(907) 678-5209
On the Dalton Highway

Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, 7 days a week, 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Anaktuvuk Pass Ranger Station
Anaktuvuk Pass, AK
(907) 661-3520

Open year-round (outside display). Call for ranger station hours.

Directions

From Fairbanks proceed by air to one of our jump-off communities. Some popular entry points are Bettles, Coldfoot, Anaktuvuk Pass and Kotzebue; or by vehicle along the Dalton Highway Corridor. Commercial air service is available from Fairbanks to Bettles, Anaktuvuk Pass and Kotzebue. You will have to travel by air because there are no roads to these communities.

From Bettles, Coldfoot, and Kotzebue arrange to fly into the Park and Preserve with an air taxi service. Your destination in the Park and Preserve determines which community from which you will leave. Please call an air taxi service for specific price information.

From the Anaktuvuk Pass airfield one can hike into the Park and Preserve. Anaktuvuk Pass and the surrounding land is private property. Hikers should be certain they are in the Park and Preserve before camping.

From the Dalton Highway you can drive to Coldfoot and fly into the Park and Preserve via air charter. Those seeking a rugged wilderness journey on a limited budget can begin hiking directly off the highway.

Travel Tips:

There are no trails into the Park and Preserve from any location; river crossings are necessary from both Anaktuvuk Pass and the Dalton Highway.
Expect to move at a slower pace in the bush. People and schedules must be flexible to the demands of weather and other exigencies.
Before you leave on your trip, contact the Park and Preserve for updates and advisories. Wherever you access the Park and Preserve, please stop in at the Visitor Center or Visitor Contact Station to speak to a ranger, check out the Bear Resistant Food Containers you need, and become a "Guardian of the Gates."

Tinayguk River

Approximate Length	44 mi / 71 km
Scenic Quality	Broad, glacial valley bordered by the rugged peaks of the Endicott Mountains
Recreational Opportunities	High potential for hiking and backpacking; access is more difficult than North Fork of Koyukuk
Geologic Features	South flank of the arctic Continental Divide; glacial valleys bordered by Endicott Mountains
Natural Resources	Variety of wildlife
Cultural Resources	Significant cultural resources were not identified on the Tinayguk River at the time of its designation as a Wild & Scenic River.

Alatna River

Approximate Length	83 mi / 133.5 km
Scenic Quality	High; varies from snow-capped mountains to spruce-hardwood forest
Recreational Opportunities	Plentiful sightseeing, nature study, hiking, photography, fishing, and floating
Geologic Features	Rugged mountains of central Brooks Range, including Arrigetch Peaks
Natural Resources	Easily observed, variety of large and small mammals, migration route for arctic caribou herd
Cultural Resources	The Alatna has a rich cultural history. This valley is traditional hunting territory for the Koyukon Athabaskans and the Nunamiut Eskimos trace their origins to the upper regions. Dozens of historic and prehistoric sites spanning 4000 years have been identified.

Bettles, Alaska

Bettles Field is located near the village of Evansville. It is a common jumping off spot for the park. Several air taxi operators fly into all areas of the park from here. The park field office is also located in Bettles Field. There is also a log cabin visitor contact station where visitors attend back country orientations, receive park condition updates, attend ranger programs, get their park passport stamped, check out bear resistant food containers and become a Guardian of the Gates.

North Fork of the Koyukuk River

Approximate Length	102 mi / 164 km
Scenic Quality	Beautiful Glacial valleys bordered by rugged peaks of Endicott Mountains in central Brooks Range.
Recreational Opportunities	The river can be accessed in the headwaters area. There are a few challenging rapids depending on water levels. The river is mostly class two or less. There is outstanding wilderness backpacking in the upper reaches of the drainage.
Geologic Features	South flank of the arctic Continental Divide; broad glacial valleys bordered by Endicott Mountains
Natural Resources	Variety of wildlife; major caribou migration route
Cultural Resources	This drainage contains one of the densest concentrations of archaeological and historical sites in the park. These sites include gold mining sites from the early 20th century and prehistoric sites dating to as old as 10,000 years.

Plan Your Visit

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is a remote wilderness area located above the Arctic Circle and far from any roads. Most visitors access the Park and Preserve by bush plane, starting from local villages. Others hike in from the Dalton Highway or the village of Anaktuvuk Pass. Access to this park requires careful planning, but the experience that awaits those who enter is one of a kind and well worth the effort.

Noatak River

Approximate Length	65 mi / 104 km â *The Noatak River continues for another 265 mi / 426 km through Noatak National Preserve
Scenic Quality	Glacial valley with snowcapped peaks
Recreational Opportunities	One of the longest designated wild rivers in Alaska; good floating, sightseeing, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Geologic Features	Mount Igikpak and Schwatka Mountains of west-central Brooks Range; narrow glacial valley
Natural Resources	Plentiful caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly bear, and several species of raptors
Cultural Resources	Transportation route by natives for thousands of years

Fees & Reservations

There are currently no fees or reservation system in place at Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve.

John River

Approximate Length	52 mi / 84 km
Scenic Quality	Outstanding; the John flows through a variety of ecosytems and vegetation types. The river winds through exposed rock, cliffs, and outcroppings.
Recreational Opportunities	The upper portions of the river provide a class 2 to class 3+ float when water is high enough. The lower reaches make an excellent family float. There is excellent hiking and backpacking in upper river area though intially the river runs through Nunamiut Corporation land.
Geologic Features	The river flows through wide glacial valleys dissecting central Brooks Range. It is lined with interesting bluffs in the lower reaches.
Natural Resources	Variety of large and small mammals; important migration route for arctic caribou herd; unique habitat for William's milk vetch.
Cultural Resources	The numerous cultural sites in the John River drainage reflect a long and continuous history of use by residents of Anaktuvuk Pass.

Staff & Offices

By Mail

Bettles Ranger Station (Field Operations)
P.O. Box 30
Bettles, AK 99726

National Park Service (Fairbanks Headquarters)
4175 Geist Road
Fairbanks, AK 99709

By Phone

Bettles Ranger Station: 907-692-5494
Coldfoot Ranger Station: 907-678-4227
Arctic Interagency Visitor Center (Coldfoot): 907-678-5209 (summer only)
Anaktuvuk Pass Ranger Station: 907-661-3520 (summer only)
Fairbanks Administrative Center: 907-457-5752

By Fax

907-692-5400 (Bettles)

907-455-0601 (Fairbanks)

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