Gates of the Arctic Wilderness
When Bob Marshall explored this region in the early 1930s, two looming peaks near the head of the North Fork of the Koyukuk River (Boreal Mountain and Frigid Crags) left a lasting impression on him. He dubbed them "The Gates of the Arctic." Straddling the central Brooks Range and looming entirely above the Arctic Circle, the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve protects a mass of land four times larger than Yellowstone National Park. The park is managed primarily as Wilderness. On the south slopes visitors will find a sampling of thin boreal forest.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | National Park Service |
| State | Alaska |
| Size | 7.2 million acres |
| Designated | 1980, by Congress |
| Center point | 67.78° N, 153.37° W |
| Night sky | Some glow on the horizon (Black Marble reading 46) |
Boundary map
Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees Federal campground
The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.
Where to camp
None of the 1 federal campground within ten miles sits inside the boundary. Nearest first. Distances are from the campground point to the boundary edge, from the Campsite Atlas index.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 12 miBettles Lodge ↗Bettles, AK
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Guidebooks for Alaska
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Gates of the Arctic Wilderness?
7.2 million acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Gates of the Arctic Wilderness?
The National Park Service.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Gates of the Arctic Wilderness in?
Alaska.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Gates of the Arctic Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1980.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Can I camp at Gates of the Arctic Wilderness?
Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities, and the managing agency page has the permit rules. The federal campgrounds within ten miles are listed under Where to camp.
Source: Where to camp
How do I get to Gates of the Arctic Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 67.784° N, 153.366° W. Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve is adjacent. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Which national parks are near Gates of the Arctic Wilderness?
Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve (adjacent). Park Atlas has fees, hours and alerts for each.
Source: Nearby on the other atlases
Are there historic places near Gates of the Arctic Wilderness?
The National Register has 1 listing within 15 miles, including Bettles Lodge.
Source: Register Atlas
Sources
- Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
- Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
- Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
- Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
- Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.