Permits & Reservations

Permits

No permit is required to enter the park; however visitors should attend a backcountry orientation at any of the park's four visitor centers. During an orientation you can get valuable information about current weather, fire and wildlife alerts, back country safety, bear safety and Leave No Trace camping techniques. Bear Resistant Food Containers are available to borrow at all park visitor facilities.

Filming and Photography - UPDATED November 2022

Special Use Permits - a catch-all category including but not limited to activities such as special assemblies, athletic events or races, temporary access requests, first amendment activities, groups with 12 or more participants, spreading of ashes (memorialization, 36 CFR 2.62), etc.

Research Permits

Public Assemby, Meetings 36 CFR 2.51

All areas are designated as open to public. Demonstrations involving twenty-six or more individuals must have a permit issued by the superintendent (see Special Use Permits above).

Commercial Activities

A business or an individual must obtain either a Concession Contract or a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) prior to conducting any commercial activity in Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve.

These contracts and permits are issued and administered by the National Park Service (NPS).

Visit our webpage Do Business With Us to download a list of authorized commercial guides in Gates of the Arctic or to obtain a permit to conduct business in the park. Contact the visitor center in Fairbanks with further questions at 907-459-3730.

 

Reservations

Reservations are not required for any areas or activities within the park & preserve, except for organized groups.

If you are traveling in an organized group (i.e. nonprofit, educational, commercial, guided, etc.) please contact the park several months before your travel dates for permit requirements and group size limits.

NOTE: Commercial transporters are required to ensure that all of their clients get the opportunity to receive a backcountry orientation from park rangers prior to entering the park and preserve at one of our visitor centers.

 

No Drone Zone

Launching, landing or operating unmanned or remote controlled aircraft in Gates of the Arctic is prohibited.

Learn more about regulations pertaining to the use of unmanned aircraft in the national parks.