Gates of the Arctic Base Camp

Gates of the Arctic Base Camp

DATES

August 4, 2025 - August 8, 2025

REGION

Gates of the Arctic National Park

TRIP COST

$7,800

calendar

DATES

August 4, 2025 - August 8, 2025
region

REGION

Gates of the Arctic National Park
price

TRIP COST

$7,800

Explore the wilds of the central Brooks Range in Gates of the Arctic National Park with Arctic Wild. From our comfortable camp on the tundra you have ample time to hike the tundra, watch for arctic wildlife, and enjoy the nation’s northernmost National Park.

TRIP DETAILS

Gates of the Arctic is the “crown jewel” of America’s National Park system; 19 million acres of sprawling and undeveloped wild land in the central Brooks Range, it is a wilderness like no other. With no constructed trails, no campgrounds, and no visitor services of any kind, Gates of the Arctic is the perfect place for wilderness exploration and solitude. One of our favorite places in the Park is just south of the Noatak River surrounded by mountains and tundra as far as the eye can see.

Camping in Gates of the Arctic is sublime. Views across the valley into the peaks of the Brooks Range change hour by hour with the light and the weather. There are peaks to climb, glacial cirques to explore, and broad valleys to wander.

We will spend our days hiking, reading, exploring, and learning. One of our favorite routes heads up a side creek to the east of camp. As we ascend, the valley narrows into a canyon, often full of animal sign. A caribou trail leads to a stunning peak from which we can survey the entire area, with broad valleys, small ice fields, and clear creeks all surrounded by the rugged and rocky peaks. From the high point of the hike, we can make our way back along a gradual ridge basking in the beauty of the Arctic.

We never know exactly what wildlife we may encounter on a trip, but caribou frequent the area in August, feeding on the rich green tundra in small bands. It is also a great place to watch bears grazing the flats or eating berries on the slopes. We may also see wolves, red fox, moose and a great variety of other furred and feathered creatures during our time in the mountains. The serendipity is part of what makes encountering wildlife so rewarding. A keen interest and keen eyes are certain to spot a great variety of wildlife.

You need not be a seasoned adventurer to enjoy this trip. Our sturdy base camp and excellent cooking leave you free to enjoy the wilderness and our seasoned guides are on hand to teach you the skills of living in the remote and sometimes challenging arctic. With good equipment and a great attitude this will be an adventure never to be forgotten.

Last updated: October 16, 2024

Itinerary

What follows is a general flow of events. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.

August 4

Meet your guide(s) for a pre-trip meeting at Arctic Wild headquarters in Fairbanks.

August 5

We catch a charter flight to Gates of the Arctic first thing. The flight might make a stop in the community of Bettles to fuel-up or switch planes, but if the weather permits we will be in the heart of the Brooks Range by mid-day. Once there we’ll set up a comfortable camp on the tundra next to the creek before heading out to explore our wilderness home.

August 6 - 7

Each day in the backcountry brings something different. Some days we will take day hikes to explore the glacial cirques, nearby alpine lakes, or wander the high ridges. Another day we may stick closer to camp, allowing the opportunity to fish, search for wildlife, or simply enjoy the solitude and quiet.

August 8

Weather permitting, we’ll say a final goodbye to Gates of the Arctic and the Brooks Range before boarding the plane for the trip back south. If the weather cooperates and all goes as planned we’ll arrive back in Fairbanks in time for dinner and well-deserved showers.

The guides were uncommonly knowledgeable, competent, hardworking, and they consistently took care of the group before taking care of their own stuff. They kept our safety in mind while staying open to suggestions, and allowing folks a lot of freedom for personal wanderings.

- Jim, Alaska, USA

DETAILS

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Transportation beyond Fairbanks

Food while in the wilderness

Stoves, cooking & eating utensils

Safety & repair gear

Professional guide service

Select Camping Equipment is available through Arctic Wild

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Lodging

Non-camp meals

Personal clothing and gear. See full equipment list

Fishing gear, and fishing license

Gratuity for guide(s)

WEATHER & BUGS

Temperatures vary from the low 70’s to below freezing. This is mid-summer and as warm as the weather is going to get, but it can still snow any day and we should expect a wide variety of weather including sustained rain. We don’t expect many bugs but bring a small bottle of DEET and a head-net just in case bug season is longer than usual.

You can’t trust weather forecasts at this latitude, but climate information for Anaktuvuk Pass will give you a sense of typical weather in this part of Gates of the Arctic National Park.

RECOMMENDED READING

 Ordinary Wolves, Seth Kantner

Alaska Wilderness, Robert Marshall

Last Light Breaking, Nick Jans

Arctic Wild, Lois Crisler

More Alaska reading is available from our Bookstore

"The wilderness was spectacular, the leadership perfect."
"I am just finishing my tenth trip with you guys. As always, the trip was more than I expected and I had a great time. See you next year!"
"Of all outfitters with whom we have worked (and that is quite a number), you were by far the most organized and responsive."
"That feeling of wide open wonder, the possibilities for nearly limitless wandering, and the image of those proud caribou...that will stay with me a long time"
"Our guide was an encyclopedia on legs. He was always willing and ready to teach, to talk, to listen, to do another hike, or to lie low in camp if we were beat. He truly gave us the trip we wanted!"
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Eileen - Canning River