Expert Resource Guides for Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve in Alaska

Alaska's remote wilderness protecting the Central Brooks Range above the Arctic Circle

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve represents one of the last great wilderness areas in the United States, protecting a vast expanse of the Central Brooks Range in northern Alaska. The park's remote location above the Arctic Circle and complete absence of roads or developed infrastructure create an experience of true wilderness that is increasingly rare in the modern world. The landscape is defined by the east-west spine of the Brooks Range, with glacier-carved valleys dotted with alpine lakes and dramatic rock formations weathered from ancient seabed sediments. The park straddles the continental divide, separating waters that flow to the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, and includes significant portions of the Kobuk-Selawik Lowlands in the southern portion of the park. Six rivers carry Wild and Scenic designations, providing critical habitat for fish species including grayling, Arctic char, and chum salmon. The preserve portion allows sport hunting, while the national park proper permits only subsistence hunting by local rural residents, reflecting the deep connections between surrounding communities and the land. The Gates of the Arctic Wilderness, covering over 7 million acres, adjoins the Noatak Wilderness to form the largest contiguous wilderness area in the United States.