A backpacker takes in the view of Oolah Lake from their tent after a day of hiking
NPS Photo / Michelle Wood
With over 8 million acres, larger than the state of Maryland, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve offers the experienced traveler an endless array of opportunities and places to explore. Six incomparable Wild and Scenic Rivers flow through the park, offering paddlers and backpackers unmatched scenery and solitude, whether by boat or on foot. The dramatic crags and spires of the Arrigetch Peaks invite backpackers and intrepid climbers to explore its valleys and granite walls. The park has numerous lakes, some forming the headwaters for mighty rivers, while others, like the 14-mile-long Walker Lake, offer opportunities for quiet discovery.
As a wilderness park, many of Gates of the Arctic’s visitor centers are located in small, remote communities. These gateway communities serve as jumping-off points for an adventure into the park, but also offer their own intriguing stories of the mosaic of life in the Arctic.
