Brooks Range

The expansive mountains of the Brooks Range extend 700 miles east to west through the heart of Alaska’s Arctic region and into Canada’s Yukon Territory. They travel through millions of acres of wilderness park lands through Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Kobuk Valley National Park, and Noatak National Preserve. Thousands of caribou migrate through the Brooks Range area each year, including Alaska’s two largest caribou herds: the Western Arctic caribou herd with 490,000 animals and the Porcupine caribou herd with 200,000 animals.

Backpacking in these isolated mountains or floating down the unspoiled rivers are unparalleled wilderness experiences. Visitors with backcountry experience can hire an air taxi to drop them off in remote areas for endless recreation opportunities. For those with less experience, tour operators offer guided multi-day excursions that include wildlife viewing, hiking, rafting, fishing, and more.

While most of this remote area is accessible only by air taxi, visitors can view the Brooks Range along the rugged Dalton Highway, stretching north of Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay/Deadhorse and passing through the mountain range along Atigun Pass at 4,739 feet in elevation. Communities in the Brooks Range include Coldfoot, Wiseman, Bettles, and Anaktuvuk Pass.

Brooks Range: Cities & Towns

• Anaktuvuk Pass
• Bettles
• Coldfoot
• Wiseman

Brooks Range: Parks

• Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
• Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve