Alaska region guide
Arctic (Brooks Range & North Slope)
The last great wilderness — above the Arctic Circle.
- Gateway towns
- Coldfoot, Bettles, Utqiaġvik, Deadhorse
- Nearest major airport
- Fairbanks (FAI), then bush flights
- Best months
- Late June – mid August
- Getting there
- Bush plane from Fairbanks, or the Dalton Highway
Overview
Above the Arctic Circle, the Brooks Range spans Alaska from east to west, its northern slope falling to the coastal plain and the Arctic Ocean. Gates of the Arctic, the least-visited national park in the country, has no roads or trails at all.
Visitors come for river trips, backpacking and the spectacle of caribou migrations across the Arctic Refuge. The Dalton Highway, built for the oil pipeline, is the only road north, running 414 miles from near Fairbanks to Deadhorse.
Sub-regions
Inside the Arctic
Coming soon. Our in-depth sub-region guide for this region is being written.
Mountain ranges
The high country
Coming soon. Our in-depth mountain ranges guide for this region is being written.
Hiking & backcountry
Trails and routes
Coming soon. Our in-depth hiking guide for this region is being written.
Fishing
Species, waters and run timing
Coming soon. Our in-depth fishing guide for this region is being written.
Hunting
Game and terrain
Coming soon. Our in-depth hunting guide for this region is being written.
Wildlife & scenery
What you'll see
- Porcupine and Western Arctic caribou herds
- Grizzly bears
- Polar bears on the coast
- Wolves
- Dall sheep
Getting there & around
Logistics
Road
The Dalton Highway — gravel, remote and with few services.
Bush & floatplane
Air taxis from Fairbanks, Bettles and Coldfoot drop off at remote lakes and gravel bars.
Seasonal guide
What's best, month by month
Coming soon. Our in-depth seasonal guide for this region is being written.
Gallery
In pictures
