Gates of the Arctic National Park

Photo of the Maidens at sunrise in Arrigetch Peaks, Endicott Mountains, Brooks Range, Gates of the Arctic, Alaska.

Gates of the Arctic National Park hiking tours. Trekking and photography information. Gates of the Arctic Packrafting trips.

Expeditions Alaska run trekking tours in the Endicott Mountains of the Brooks Range to the famed Arrigetch Peaks. This stunning adventure also includes a packrafting tour down the gorgeous Wild and Scenic Alatna River.

Visit our list of guided tours for Gates of the Arctic National Park.

Packrafting trip on the Noatak river, Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska.

Packrafting the Arctic: Float Trips in Gates of the Arctic and the Brooks Range

Gates of the Arctic has no roads, no trails, and no services. At 8.4 million acres, getting there requires either a very long walk or a small plane. This is where packrafts shine.

Floating the Noatak River, Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska.

The River From Deep Within: History and Ecology of the Noatak

Where does the name Noatak come from.

The Noatak begins on the north flank of Mt. Igikpak and flows 400 miles to the Chukchi Sea. Its entire course lies above the Arctic Circle. Its entire watershed lies within protected wilderness. No other major river in North America can make both claims.

Backpacking the Brooks Range; Arctic Camping Trips

Backpacking in the Brooks Range is not about following a line on a map. It is about learning to read the language of the landscape. No cairns, no signs, no footprints that last more than a season. You are operating in a world where the nearest road is hundreds of miles away and self-reliance is the only currency that matters.

Alaska Noatak River Packrafting trip, Gates of the Arctic National Park.

Six Days on the Upper Noatak: A Packraft Trip Through Gates of the Arctic

The floatplane banks hard over a granite ridge and the valley opens below. A ribbon of turquoise water winds through green tundra, flanked by mountains streaked with late snow. Two hours ago we were drinking coffee in Bettles. Now we’re threading through the Endicott Mountains with Mt. Igikpak filling the horizon.

The Heart of the Park, Wrangell St. Elias National Park backpacking trip.

Best Backpacking Trips In Alaska

Where in Alaska do YOU want to backpack? For me, it’s everywhere at once. If the weather is good.But my absolute Number one, FAVORITE place? .. read on ..

Denali National Park weeklong hiking trip Alaska.

Alaska Hiking – Week Long Backing Trips

Week-long Alaska hiking trips require different planning than typical trails. The Goat Trail in Wrangell-St. Elias offers serious adventure without extreme difficulty. Denali’s Wyoming Hills demand flexibility with permits. Resurrection Pass provides road-accessible trails, while the Chilkoot crosses into Canada by train.

Best hike? My next one.

The Maidens – Arrigetch Peaks

Hey Folks, Here’s an image from the Arrigetch Peaks, in Alaska’s far north, the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. It’s quite a hike up to the area, but the area is a stunning locale for photography. And climbing. It may well be one of the most popular climbing areas in the state not […]

Wrangell Mountains and Alaska star trails and northern lights photo Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

Northern Lights & Winter in Arctic Alaska

Hey Folks I am just now back from a trip to the arctic looking for the northern lights; 4 of us went north of Fairbanks, to the Brooks Range, and spent a dark, cold week rambling around the mountains, enjoying what is ordinarily an incredible place; in the winter, a unique and somewhat amazing experience. […]

Gates of the Arctic National park hiking trips The Maidens, Arrigetch Peaks.

Complete Backpacking Guide Gates Of The Arctic National Park

A guide to hiking and backpacking in Gates of it Arctic national Park & Preserve, Alaska. Discuss Logistics, route choices, and safety and preparation.

Alaska backpacking trips Seven Pass Backpacking trip, hiker in Chugach Mountains, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

Why Hiking Poles Are Essential for Alaska Backpacking

After two decades guiding Alaska backpacking trips, I can’t recommend hiking poles enough. Research shows they significantly reduce muscle soreness and injury risk while improving stability on Alaska’s challenging off-trail terrain—from boulder fields to river crossings. Here’s why poles are essential gear for Alaska backcountry travel.

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Gates of the Arctic National Park