Closest airports
| Airport | City | Drive to the park | Straight-line miles | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaktuvuk Pass Airport (AKP) | Anaktuvuk Pass, AK | Fly or boat in | 48 | Regional |
| Indian Mountain LRRS Airport (UTO) | Utopia Creek, AK | Fly or boat in | 123 | Regional |
| Ambler Airport (ABL) | Ambler, AK | Fly or boat in | 129 | Regional |
| Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) | Anchorage, AK | Fly or boat in | 465 | Large hub |
There is no road to the park, so plan a flight or boat from the town in the table.
Regional airports have fewer flights, so compare fares with the larger hub.
Directions from the park service
Gates of the Arctic is a wilderness park, with no roads or trails into the park lands, so visitors must fly or hike into the park. Access begins in Fairbanks, Alaska & there are several small airlines that provide daily flights into the communities of Bettles, Anaktuvuk Pass, and Coldfoot. Most visitors access the park by air taxi or hike in from the Dalton Highway or from the village of Anaktuvuk Pass. River crossings are necessary from both locations.
Hours
Open 24 hours, every day. No closed times or seasons for Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve. Visitor Center hours vary greatly by location and season. See Visitor Center Hours for more information!
Visitor centers
- Fairbanks Alaska Public Lands Information Center: Daily, 8:00AM - 5:00PM. The Alaska Public Lands Information Center is open year-round.
- Bettles Ranger Station and Visitor Center: Mon 2:00PM - 6:00PM; Tue 2:00PM - 6:00PM; Wed 2:00PM - 6:00PM; Thu 2:00PM - 6:00PM; Fri 2:00PM - 6:00PM; Sat 2:00PM - 6:00PM; Sun Closed. SUMMER HOURS: Open 2pm to 6pm Monday-Saturday. CLOSED in winter. September 15-June 10
- Arctic Interagency Visitor Center: Daily, 12:00PM - 8:00PM. Closed in winter
- Anaktuvuk Pass Ranger Station: Mon 9:00AM - 5:30PM; Tue 9:00AM - 5:30PM; Wed 9:00AM - 5:30PM; Thu 9:00AM - 5:30PM; Fri 9:00AM - 5:30PM; Sat Closed; Sun Closed. Open seasonally Mid-May to Mid-September
Gas, groceries and charging
There is no road into Gates of the Arctic; you arrive by plane or boat. Buy food, fuel and supplies in the town you leave from, and pack everything you need for the trip.
Getting around
Most parks are best seen by car. Fill up before you enter, since gas inside parks is limited or absent. Parking at popular trailheads fills early in summer.
Sources
- National Park Service Data API: directions, hours and visitor centers (public domain)
- OurAirports: airport list and locations (public domain)
- OSRM drive-time estimates on OpenStreetMap road data (ODbL)
- OpenStreetMap: gas stations, grocery stores and EV chargers (ODbL)
Last checked 1 November 2026.