Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve Custom Search By establishing Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve (GAAR) in Alaska's Brooks Range, Congress has reserved a vast and essentially untouched area of superlative natural beauty and exceptional scientific value - a maze of glaciated valleys and gaunt, rugged mountains covered with boreal forest and arctic tundra vegetation, cut by wild rivers, and inhabited by far-ranging populations of caribou, Dall sheep, wolves, and bears (barren-ground grizzlies and black bears). Congress recognized that a special value of the Park and Preserve is its wild and undeveloped character, and the opportunities it affords for solitude, wilderness travel, and adventure. Gates of the Arctic encompasses several congressionally recognized elements, including the national park, national preserve, wilderness, six Wild Rivers and two National Natural Landmarks. The National Park Service is entrusted to manage this area to protect its physical resources and to maintain the intangible qualities of the wilderness and the opportunity it provides for people to learn and renew its values.    CONTACTS Email - GAAR_Visitor_Information@nps.gov Fax- 907-692-5400 Write to Bettles Ranger Station (Field Ops) P.O. Box 26030 Bettles, AK 99726 - or - National Park Service (Fairbanks Hqrts) 201 First Avenue Fairbanks, AK 99701 Phone Visitor Information - 907-692-5494 (BTT) Headquarters - 907-456-0281 (FAI) Visitor Information - 907-661-3520 (AKP) Visitor Information - 907-678-5209 (CXF) Visitor Information - 907-678-2004 (MAR) TRAVEL BASICS 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: Open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closed on Holidays. Bettles Ranger Station / Visitor Center: From mid-June to Labor Day: Open 7 days a week, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (sometimes closed noon - 1:00pm for lunch). Remainder of Year: Open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - Noon / 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed on Holidays. Coldfoot Visitor Center: Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, 7 days a week, 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Anaktuvuk Pass Ranger Station: Year-round outside Visitor display. Call for ranger station hours. Getting There PLANE - Scheduled air taxis from Fairbanks serve Anaktuvuk Pass, Bettles, and Coldfoot. Charter flights may also be arranged. Bush charters are available from Bettles and Coldfoot into the park and preserve boundaries. Travelers to Anaktuvuk Pass can hike into the park and preserve boundaries, but anticipate covering no more than one mile per hour. CAR - There are no roads in the park, although the Dalton Highway comes within about 5 miles of the park's eastern boundary. Other than hiking in from the Dalton Highway (across one or two rivers then over the mountain passes, normally at a maximum rate of one mile per hour) access is generally by air. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - None Weather & Climate The central Brooks Range has long, severe winters and relatively short, cool summers. The entire region receives continuous sunlight during the summer for at least 30 days. Conversely, winter visitors will experience long, cold periods of darkness and twilight. The south side of the Brooks Range below 2,500 feet is generally a sub-arctic climate zone. Precipitation is low, averaging 12-18 inches in the west and 8-12 inches in the east. Snow can fall any months of the year, averaging 60-80 inches. The average maximum and minimum July temperatures are 70F and 46F, respectively. Thunderstorm activity is common during June and July, and June through September is generally the wettest time of year. Prevailing winds are out of the north. Freezing temperatures may occur at any time of the year, but particularly from mid-August on. Average minimum and maximum January temperatures are -10F and -30F but frequently reach -50F. The north side of the Brooks Range has an arctic climate. Mean annual temperatures are colder than on the south side. Maximum and minimum February temperatures range from 33F to -47F. The warmest month, July, has a 60F maximum and 40F minimum. Precipitation is extremely light, about 5-10 inches per year, making this essentially an 'arctic desert'. Snow has been recorded in every month of the year, and the annual average is 45 inches. Prevailing winds are greatly modified by local terrain. Accessibility There are no roads or established trails within the Gates of the Arctic NP&P. Hikers should practice Leave No Trace techniques, be aware of backcountry safety guidelines, and remain aware of the fragile ecosystems and private lands within the park. Gates of the Arctic is a remote wilderness and travelers should be fully competent in outdoor survival skills and flexible enough to deal with common weather delays. Administrative buildings in Fairbanks, Anaktuvuk Pass, Coldfoot and Bettles are accessible. Getting Around Visitors are reminded there are no facilities within GAAR and they should be fully self-sufficient and flexible at all times. CAMPING No established campgrounds Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is a wilderness designated region. Therefore there are no campgrounds, roads, established trails or other maintained visitor facilities within it's boundaries. LODGING No established NPS lodging Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is a wilderness designated region. Therefore there are no campgrounds, roads, established trails or other maintained visitor facilities within it's boundaries. FACILITIES Ranger Stations ANAKTUVUK PASS RANGER STATION Phone - (907) 661-3520 Location - Anaktuvuk Pass, AK Closures - Periodically this Ranger Station is unmanned. Please contact the Bettles Ranger Station / Visitor Center when you cannot reach a Ranger at this location. Special Programs - Visitors seeking a Ranger's assistance should call in advance to schedule an appointment. Exhibits - An outside Backcountry Orientation and Visitor Registration display is accessible year-round. Visitor Centers BETTLES RANGER STATION / VISITOR CENTER Open All Year - call for current hours Phone - (907) 692-5494 Location - Bettles Field, AK Special Programs - Interpretive Programs are offered periodically year-round. Checkout our 'inDepth Link' to the right or contact our Interpretive Specialist at the number above for further information. Exhibits - Various displays depicting the flora and fauna of the Brooks Range are displayed in this facility jointly operated by Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and Kanuti Wildlife Refuge. Available Facilities - An Alaska Natural History Association outlet, reference library and restrooms are available in this location. However, because Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is a wilderness designated region, there are no NPS campgrounds, roads, established trails or other NPS maintained visitor facilities within the park and preserve boundaries. COLDFOOT INTERAGENCY VISITOR CENTER (NPS, BLM, USFWS) Phone - (907) 678-5209 Location - Coldfoot, AK Closures - This location is only open Memorial Day through Labor Day 10am - 10pm daily. Please contact the Bettles Ranger Station / Visitor Center any other time. Special Programs - Call for current information. Exhibits - Call for current information. Available Facilities - Call for current information.   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve.   Campgrounds Near Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve: King Salmon Motel and RV Park, Soldotna, 0 miles away Riverview RV Park, Fairbanks, 0 miles away Rainbow Lake RV Park, Fairbanks, 3 miles away Ice Park RV & Campground, Fairbanks, 4 miles away Norlite Campground, Fairbanks, 4 miles away Chena River Campground, Fairbanks North Star County, 6 miles away Rivers Edge RV Park and Campground, Fairbanks, 8 miles away   Marinas Near Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve: Chena Marina RV Park, Fairbanks , 13 miles away   Hotels Near Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve: 7 Gables Inn, Fairbanks , 0 miles away SpringHill Suites Fairbanks, Fairbanks , 0 miles away Fairbanks Downtown, Fairbanks , 0 miles away Bridgewater Hotel, Fairbanks , 1 miles away Minnie Street Bed N Breakfast, Fairbanks , 1 miles away All Seasons Inn, Fairbanks , 1 miles away Regency Fairbanks Hotel, Fairbanks , 1 miles away   Trails Near Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve: Bonnifield Trail, Fairbanks North Star Borough , 5 miles away   Ski Areas Near Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve: Moose Mountain, Alaska , 19 miles away, 1300 foot drop, 0 lifts, 36 runs Mt Aurora Skiland, Alaska , 20 miles away, 1057 foot drop, 2 lifts, 25 runs   Whitewater Near Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve: Whitewater Outfitter - Blue Moose Rafting, Fairbanks North Star Borough , 0 miles away, Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - Pristine Ventures, Fairbanks North Star Borough , 19 miles away, Whitewater outfitter   Golf Courses Near Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve: Fairbanks Golf & Country Club, Fairbanks , 7 miles away North Star Golf Club, Fairbanks , 7 miles away