Far North Alaska
Go north to the indomitable Arctic, as untamed a land as any in Alaska.
Far North Alaska
Go north to the indomitable Arctic, as untamed a land as any in Alaska.
Far North Alaska
Go north to the indomitable Arctic, as untamed a land as any in Alaska.
Far North Alaska
Go north to the indomitable Arctic, as untamed a land as any in Alaska.
Far North / Arctic Alaska
Bound by the Brooks Range to the south and the Arctic Ocean to the north, Alaska's Far North is perhaps the most inhospitable region of all Alaska.
Except for the Dalton Highway, a lonesome gravel road from north of Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay, it is only accessible by foot, plane, or dog sled. In the winter, temperatures plummet to minus 30 Fahrenheit and lower. Arctic winds sweep through the coastal plains. Permafrost keeps all but the shallowest rooting plants from growing. Come summer, the frozen tundra transforms into a maze of marshes and lakes.
And yet, despite the harsh environment, the Arctic teems with life. Lichen, wildflowers, and sedge grass flourish. Waterfowl migrate across the globe to nest in tundra lakes and caribou come in droves to bare their summer calves. It's this unique and vibrant ecosystem that amazes travelers curious enough to venture off the beaten path.
Native Alaskan cultures intersect with gold rushers and the oil industry in the Far North. This fascinating combination, along with the wild landscapes, are best experienced on an Arctic Circle tour from Fairbanks. There are several to choose from.
Whether by plane, van, or a combination of both, there are many ways to travel beyond the Arctic Circle. An Arctic Circle air tour includes a roundtrip flight to Coldfoot and a three-hour van tour, while the Arctic Circle drive trip travels exclusively by van for a full day of northerly exploration. For the especially intrepid, an Arctic Ocean Adventure to Prudhoe Bay tour travels for three days and two nights along the full length of the Dalton Highway, over the Brooks Range via Atigun Pass, and all the way to the Arctic Ocean.
Alaska's Arctic is also home to the Gates of the Arctic National Park, the northernmost park in the U.S. There are no road or established trails within the park's 8.5 million acres. Like most of the Far North, it's pure wilderness: As conservationist Robert Marshall described it, "No sight or sound or smell or feeling even remotely hinted of men or their creations."
Alaska Tour & Travel can coordinate Arctic Circle tours, plus lodging in Fairbanks and transportation to the "Golden Heart City" by either Alaska Railroad or rental car. Not sure how to fit a Far North adventure into your Alaska vacation? Check out our popular Alaska Discovery Self-Drive and Coast to Coast Arctic Explorer travel package for inspiration.
