Lodging And Camping At Gates Of The Arctic

If you choose to visit Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve in Alaska, you are more than likely planning to head into the backcountry to camp. If you are looking for brick-and-mortar overnight stays, there is no in-park lodging. However, near the park and preserve’s boundaries are wilderness lodges and in the nearby communities of Bettles, Coldfoot, and Wiseman, Alaska, where you can find limited overnight options.

There are no campgrounds or designated campsites at Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. You’ll be hiking off trail and setting up camp where ever you wish. You do not need a permit for backcountry camping. It’s a good idea, however, to put in the extra effort in planning and preparation. You are going to be out in the wild, with no access to any sort of infrastructure. You will be relying upon your backcountry skills, knowledge, and whatever gear you are carrying with you. The Leave No Trace principles apply to your trip to this park and preserve (actually, these principles apply to your visit in any national park, but especially so, here).

Setting up camp on a durable surface is advised. Tundra is nice and spongy and makes a comfortable support for your sleeping bag, but it’s also fragile and slow to recover. You will probably be camping on tundra at some point in time during your backpacking adventure, however, so when you do, select a site that is not too dry and will not be heavily impacted. Bring what you need. Do not trench for tents or cut branches for beds. Use lighter-soled camp shoes to lessen your impact.

A gravel bar, on the other hand, is a durable surface with fewer mosquitoes (believe it or not), and high water will erase your presence after you have departed. Speaking of high water, it goes without saying you should pitch your tent above water level in case the water does rise while you are still there.

It’s bear country in this national park. Bears have an incredible sense of smell seven times better than that of a bloodhound. This means bears can smell the smallest of scents. Because of this, you should locate your cooking/eating area 100 yards (91.4 meters) away from the sleeping area. Make sure that cooking/eating area has a wide angle of view to avoid any surprise encounter with a bear passing through. Minimize the amount of space you occupy when cooking/eating so you can gather everything up quickly and place it back in a bear-resistant food container (BRFC). Stash all your food, trash, petroleum, and other odorous items (toothpaste, lotions, etc.) in a separate area. Click here to learn more about food storage and bear-resistant food containers.

While campfires are allowed except during times of high fire danger, finding useable wood is difficult to find since most of the landscape is tundra. Gas or propane stoves for cooking are strongly recommended as fires are often impractical. Gas or propane stoves are also easier and faster to light in the event of an emergency. If you choose to build a campfire, please only build them on gravel bars (where the next high water will wash away the visible evidence of the campfire) or other durable surfaces. Often, the only wood available to have a fire will be near or on a gravel bar, anyway. Do not cut down any of the sparse trees growing within the area. Tree growth in the Arctic is very slow; a spruce tree only inches in diameter may be hundreds of years old.

Be a good housekeeper and keep your campsite clean. Keep all food in the BRFC when not in use. Place any snacks, wrappers, lip balm, sunscreen, lotion, soap, and any scented products into the BRFC before entering your tent. Avoid food spills and other animal attractants. Proper food storage (certified bear resistant food container) is required in all Alaskan parks. It is not a good idea to store food in kayaks overnight. At night, store your BRFC and clean cooking gear off main animal trails, and at least 100 yards (91.4 meters) from your tent.

Guided Trips And Outfitters

If you don’t feel like doing it all yourself, why not think about a guided trip out into the backcountry. The National Park Service has a Directory of Commercial Visitor Service Providers with names and websites of guides, outfitters, and air taxis authorized to take you into Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve.