Article Menu
Introduction
Gates of the Arctic
Lake Clark
Wrangell-St. Elias
Kobuk Valley
Katmai
North Cascades
Isle Royale
Glacier Bay
Denali
Death Valley

online favorites
Summer's Top Parks
Summer Mountain Festivals
Beach Travel Blog
Parks and Outdoors Guide
2008 Summer Buyer's Guide
from Outside Online
PARKS


GORP Top Ten
Lonely National Parks
By Rich Beattie, GORP Editor
Alaska
Gates of the Arctic, Alaska



Visit Alaska
The winner, by a long shot, is Gates of the Arctic, sprawled out over the Brooks Range in north central Alaska. An untouched area that avoided American and European influence until the 1880s, Gates will be tough for you to reach, too, since its glaciated valleys mean you have to fly in. And, with snow possible at any time of year, you could wait for days for decent weather to get out. How lonely is this place? Even the park service says that "it may be weeks before you encounter another person." Weeks! It ain't easy living. The winter brings temperatures as low as 50 below, and summer months mean rain and mosquitoes. The payoff includes stunning scenery, warm springs, great fishing, and wildlife spottings (bears, moose, and eagles, to name a few) all to yourself.

Gates of the Arctic
America's loneliest park:
Human sightings are rare

Move on to * Lake Clark

Return to * Top


Book an Active Vacation
star Alaskan Adventures
Look to GORPtravel to help you plan your own unforgettable adventure.

Top Alaskan Vacations
bulletWildlife Viewing
bulletHiking
bulletMultisport

RELATED GORP LINKS
* Alaska Resources
* National Parks
* GORP Park Poll
* GORPtravel Alaska

Related Pacific Coast Trips

Road Trip Guides

National Park Guides

Hiking Guides

Today's Gear Guy

Gear Guides
[from Outside magazine]