The Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is a true paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s sandwiched between Kobuk Valley National Park and Noatak National Reserve.
The vast valleys and breathtaking mountains attract visitors from all walks of life. Also, the rugged terrain and quiet environment provide recreation opportunities. If you’re planning to visit the park, everything you should know about this majestic wonder of nature.
Things to do at Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
Backpacking
If you love backpacking, you can explore millions of acres of challenging terrain. Since there are no designated trails in the park, you need some skills to navigate the dense vegetation.
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
If you want the best experience, you should stick to the social trails. In some areas, you can refer to the topographical map. The rocky cliffs give the site a unique character.
The mountain peaks start at 4000 feet above sea level and climb to 7000 feet. You’ll also encounter diverse terrain and miles of diverse landscape.
When hiking on the ridges, you’ll see splendid vistas – day hiking expands the river trip experience. Keep in mind the boggy ground can slow your progress.
Another way to maximize your experience at Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is by limiting the group size to at least seven people. Don’t forget to bring a hat or bag spray.
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
Explore the rivers and lakes
The Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve have rivers that have been in use for centuries. You can access the river through inflatable canoes, rafts, and foldable watercraft. However, you must be aware of the weather conditions and wildlife. In winter, temperatures can dip to -50 degrees F. For the best experience, you should visit from May to August.
The Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve has six rivers accessible at different take-out points. Most rivers change from Class 1 to IV rapids, thus a great place to kayak. Also, the numerous lakes provide the perfect opportunities for fishing.
The floatable rivers in the park are Tinayguk, Atlanta, Middle Fork, and Koyukuk. Each river is unique and offers various take-in and take-out options.
The Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve has no designated campsites. If you want to survive the Alaska wilderness, you must be an experienced camper.
However, it would help if you did not leave a trace of the ecosystem. Experts recommend that you avoid camping in areas with grasses or soft mosses.
Alaska is a bear country, so you may want to set up your kitchen a couple of yards from the sleeping area.
Explore wildlife
You can spot bears, wolves, and foxes at the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. You’ll find the Dall sheep, musk oxen, and moose on low-lying wetlands.
During the summer, birds migrate to the park to raise their chicks. Some come as far as the Atlantic waters – the world’s longest migration. Still, you can see hawks, eagles, gulls, grouse, sparrows, warblers, and more.
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
The best time to spot them is early mornings and evenings. One thing that makes the park unique is that the sun never sets in the summertime. If you wake up early, you have the best chance to spot them.
You’ll also find small mammals like lemmings, voles, and squirrels. The northern pike and whitefish like to feast on the rivers.
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
Hunting
The state of Alaska highly regulates gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. Because of the delicate ecosystem, one must have a hunting permit. There are no roads or trails, so you must be prepared to go off-grid.
How to get there
First, you should make arrangements ahead of time. The most common form of transportation is a taxi. If you’re coming from Fairbanks, you can fly.
The scheduled flights serve Eskimo village and Anaktuvuk pass. Sometimes, the bad weather can delay flights. Another way to access the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is via taxi.
When to go
The Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is open throughout the year but can be difficult to access during winter. Since the weather can change rapidly, you may experience hot summers and freezing winters.
The best time to visit is June to September – mild summers. August is a wet month, so that you may experience freezing temperatures. Also, before you go to the park, you should research the guides, outfitters, and air taxis.
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