How to Get to Gates of the Arctic: Airports, Access, and Transportation
Gates of the Arctic is one of the least-visited national parks in the United States, and the logistics explain why. No roads enter this wilderness above the Arctic Circle. To get there, the rule is simple. Fly to Fairbanks, Alaska, then take a bush plane to one of the gateway communities. Without that flight, you can't enter the park.
In brief: The nearest hub airport is in Bettles (BTT), about a 45-minute flight from Fairbanks International Airport (FAI). Fairbanks is your main base for arranging everything else.
Airports around the park (5)
- Airport Anaktuvuk Pass Airport AKP · 48 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Indian Mountain LRRS Airport UTO · 122 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Ambler Airport ABL · 129 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Huslia Airport HSL · 165 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Nuiqsut Airport NUI · 178 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO Where to Land: Which Airport for Gates of the Arctic
The Nearest Regional Airport: Bettles (BTT)
Bettles is the park's main gateway. Its airport (BTT) receives daily service from Fairbanks from small regional airlines, including Warbelow's Air Ventures and several bush plane operators. The flight takes about 45 minutes. Once you arrive in Bettles, experienced hikers can enter the park on foot, or you can continue by floatplane to an inland lake.
Bettles also has a National Park Service visitor center. Stop there for current field information, to report your itinerary, and to check the weather before heading out on your own.
The International Hub: Fairbanks (FAI)
Fairbanks International Airport is your essential logistics base. This is where you book your bush plane, rent a vehicle if you plan to drive the Dalton Highway, and make your final supply run. Fairbanks has year-round connections to Seattle (SEA), Denver (DEN), and Anchorage (ANC) on major U.S. airlines.
Getting to Gates of the Arctic from France
No direct flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) will take you to Fairbanks. The usual route is a flight to a U.S. hub, such as Seattle, Denver, or Minneapolis, followed by a connection to Fairbanks. Plan on 16 to 20 hours from door to door, depending on your connections.
From Fairbanks, you'll still need to book a small-plane flight to Bettles or Coldfoot. Book this leg well in advance, especially between June and August. Seats on these 8- to 12-passenger planes fill up quickly.
Transportation costs are significantly higher for this park than for a typical road-accessible park, so plan on spending considerably more on bush plane flights.
By Car: The Dalton Highway to the Edge of the Park
Gates of the Arctic has no roads within its boundaries. That's a fact, not a figure of speech. The legendary Dalton Highway, Alaska Route 11, runs along the park's eastern boundary for several dozen miles and is the only road corridor that gets you close to the area.
From Fairbanks, the Dalton Highway heads north for about 250 miles to Coldfoot, then continues for a few more miles to Wiseman. These two communities serve as staging bases for travelers who choose to drive to the park's edge before taking a bush plane farther in.
| Departure | Destination | Distance | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks | Coldfoot | ~250 miles | 4 hr 30 min to 5 hr |
| Fairbanks | Wiseman | ~261 miles | ~5 hr |
| Anchorage | Fairbanks | ~360 miles | ~6 hr |
Much of the Dalton Highway is gravel. Flat tires are common, so bring two spare tires, a gas can, and extra water. Gas stations are scarce after Fairbanks. The Gates of the Arctic weather guide covers road conditions by season, which can vary widely along this route.
Access Points to Gates of the Arctic
There is no traditional entrance gate. There are no fee booths or barriers. The park is open year-round. Access is through the gateway communities, each offering a starting point for a different part of the park.
Bettles / Evansville is the busiest gateway. It's ideal for the Koyukuk River valleys, the John River area, and the park's two namesake peaks, Frigid Crags and Boreal Mountain. An NPS visitor center is available on site.
Coldfoot is accessible by car via the Dalton Highway. It's a natural starting point for routes on the Tinayguk River and in the park's eastern section. The visitor center shares space with the Coldfoot Truck Stop.
Anaktuvuk Pass is an Inupiaq village inside the park, accessible only by air from Fairbanks. It provides preferred access to the central plateau and the central ridges of the Brooks Range. The community is occupied year-round, so respect the residents' home and way of life.
Ambler and Kobuk are western access points. They're less frequently used by travelers who combine this park with nearby Kobuk Valley National Park.
There is no entrance fee.
Getting Around the Park: On Foot, by Air, or on the Water
Once you're inside Gates of the Arctic, there are no roads or shuttles. You'll travel cross-country on foot, by bush plane, or along the park's rivers. Our guide to getting around Gates of the Arctic covers each option, the operators, and the precautions to take.
Other Options: Guided Trips and Scenic Flights
If the logistics of traveling independently seem intimidating, which is a perfectly reasonable reaction, specialized Alaska outfitters offer organized trips from Fairbanks or Bettles. Air transportation, camping gear, and local guides are all included. It's the safest way to plan a first visit.
For an immersive experience without setting foot on the ground, flightseeing tours from Bettles fly over the heart of the Brooks Range in two to three hours. You'll get a direct view of the peaks and glacial valleys, and families with young children can take part. Our guide to visiting Gates of the Arctic with kids explains this type of trip in more detail.
In Summary: The Best Route Based on Your Starting Point
From France: Paris Charles de Gaulle → U.S. stopover in Seattle, Denver, or Minneapolis → Fairbanks (FAI) → bush plane → Bettles or your chosen gateway community.
From the West Coast or Denver: Take a direct or nearly direct flight to Fairbanks, then follow the same sequence.
On a road trip: Fairbanks → Dalton Highway → Coldfoot or Wiseman → bush plane from there.
In every case, Fairbanks is the key stop. Plan on at least one night there on the way in so you can coordinate regional flights and finish gathering your gear. Our complete guide to Gates of the Arctic will help you plan the rest of your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I land to get to Gates of the Arctic?
Bettles Airport (BTT) is the closest airport, with daily service from Fairbanks. Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) is the main international hub for arranging the rest of the trip.
Can you reach Gates of the Arctic National Park by car?
No roads enter the park. The Dalton Highway runs along the eastern boundary to Coldfoot and Wiseman, about 250 miles from Fairbanks, but you must then enter the wilderness on foot or by bush plane from those communities.
How do you get to Gates of the Arctic from France?
From Paris, fly to a U.S. hub such as Seattle, Denver, or Minneapolis, then connect to Fairbanks (FAI), and finally take a small plane to Bettles or another gateway community. Total travel time is 16 to 20 hours, depending on the connections.
How do you get to the Arctic to visit this park?
For Gates of the Arctic, everything starts in Fairbanks, the only large city close enough to serve as a logistics base. From Fairbanks, bush planes connect with the park's gateway communities several times a day.
What is the entrance fee for Gates of the Arctic?
There is no entrance fee. Air transportation and trip planning costs, however, make up the largest part of the budget.
When is the best time to visit Gates of the Arctic?
The guide to the best times to visit Gates of the Arctic explains the options in detail based on your goals, whether hiking, wildlife viewing, or seeing the northern lights.
Where should you stay when visiting Gates of the Arctic?
Lodging options are concentrated in Bettles, Coldfoot, and Fairbanks. Our Gates of the Arctic lodging guide covers the options at each stage of the trip.