Alaska Gates of the Arctic National Park Postcard

Gates of the Arctic National Park, located in the remote wilderness of northern Alaska, is one of the most untouched and least visited national parks in the United States. Covering over 8 million acres, it encompasses vast stretches of tundra, rugged peaks, glacial valleys, and winding rivers north of the Arctic Circle. There are no roads, trails, or visitor centers within the park, making it a destination for experienced backcountry travelers seeking solitude and raw natural beauty. The park’s name was inspired by two prominent peaks, Frigid Crags and Boreal Mountain, which frame a northern pass like a grand entrance to the Arctic. Within this pristine landscape, Arctic foxes thrive as one of the park’s most iconic and resilient mammals. Perfectly adapted to the extreme cold, these small predators sport thick, insulating fur that changes from brown or gray in summer to brilliant white in winter, allowing them to blend into their snowy surroundings. Arctic foxes in Gates of the Arctic roam across the tundra and along the edges of rivers and alpine ridges, hunting for lemmings, birds, and carrion. They are also known to scavenge along the migration routes of caribou and the feeding grounds of larger predators like wolves and bears. Despite the challenges of the harsh Arctic environment, these foxes are agile survivors and embody the tenacity of life in one of the world’s most rugged national parks.