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- Summer
Gates of the Arctic is the least-visited national park in the entire system, and it earns that distinction honestly — no roads, no trails, no facilities, just untouched Arctic wilderness above the Brooks Range. This isn't a park you casually stop into; it's a genuine backcountry expedition, reachable only by bush plane.
For visitors drawn to true solitude and remoteness, that's exactly the appeal — you're far more likely to see caribou or a grizzly than another person.
There's no single 'must-do' hike here — the entire experience is self-directed backcountry travel, so most visitors work with an air taxi service and, often, a guide to plan a route suited to their skill level. Popular entry points include the area around the Arrigetch Peaks, known for dramatic granite spires.
Given the total lack of infrastructure, this is not a park for a first-time backpacker — real wilderness navigation and self-sufficiency skills (or a guided trip) are essential before attempting a visit.
The Dalton Highway and Arctic Circle crossing are common add-ons for visitors already making the trip this far north, and Fairbanks itself offers aurora viewing in the shoulder seasons.
