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...
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net), where the full text continues.
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | National Park Service |
| State | Alaska |
| Size | 7.2 million acres (Wilderness Connect) |
| Designated | 1980, by Congress |
| Center point | 67.7837, -153.3661 |
| 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
No federal campground sits inside the boundary. 3 are within ten miles of it. 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.
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?
No federal campground sits inside the boundary. The nearest is Marion Creek Campground, 5.8 miles out. 3 in all are within ten miles. Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities; the managing agency page has the permit rules.
Source: Where to camp
How do I get to Gates of the Arctic Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 67.784, -153.366. Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve is adjacent. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
How dark is the night sky at Gates of the Arctic Wilderness?
NASA’s Black Marble night-lights image reads 46 on a 0 to 255 scale at the center point, some glow on the horizon.
Source: NASA Black Marble
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?
1 National Register 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.