Arctic Circle Alaska

The Arctic Circle has a powerful hold on the imaginations of Alaska travelers. Geographically speaking, it represents the point on the globe where on the summer solstice the sun doesn't set, and on the winter solstice it doesn't rise. But for most people it represents an untouched and untamed world. The Arctic Circle's wilderness is profound, even by Alaska standards, making crossing into it a must-do for a complete experience in the Last Frontier.

A single road enters the Arctic Circle. It's the Dalton Highway, a wide but rough gravel road built alongside the trans-Alaska oil pipeline in the 1970s. It starts about 80 miles northwest of Fairbanks at a junction with the Elliot Highway. From this point, it winds 414 miles through scraggly taiga, along Gates of the Arctic National Park, up a mountain pass, and through windswept coastal plains to Prudhoe Bay. At mile 115 on the Dalton you officially cross into the Arctic Circle.

Although the trip can be made independently, the experience is made all the better on a guided day tour. There are several Arctic Circle tour options, including an Arctic Circle driving tour and drive/fly combo tour.

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Travelers who prefer to go by air both ways can take a separate Arctic Circle air tour that includes a roundtrip flight to Coldfoot and a three-hour van tour near the border of Gates of the Arctic National Park.

If you're considering going by rental car, the probability of getting a flat or cracking a windshield is high, so a drive is best undertaken with caution. Gas is also quite limited. Note that most standard car rental companies do not allow their vehicles on unimproved roads like the Dalton Highway. Alaska 4x4 rentals is the exception.

Alaska Tour & Travel can coordinate the best Arctic Circle tour for your schedule and interests, plus your Fairbanks lodging and transportation. To find out about more activities in the area, check out our Things to Do in Fairbanks page.

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