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is far north, the summer sun doesn't set for 82 days, shining
continually from May 10 to August 2.
Across from the Utqiagvik (Barrow) airport lies the Will Rogers and
Wiley Post Monument, commemorating the 1935 plane crash that
killed both the American humorist and the famous pilot. Two other
monuments to the famous pair, located at the crash site 15 miles (24 km)
south of town, are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Whaling and other subsistence activities still play an important role in
this Arctic community. In fact, during April and May, visitors can oen
watch as Native people head for their whaling camps.
Utqiagvik (Barrow) has several hotels, restaurants and other visitor
services. ere are shops for visitors to purchase Native clothing, masks,
baskets and dolls.
Two hundred miles (322 km) east of Utqiagvik (Barrow) is Prudhoe Bay,
home of what was once the largest oil field in North America. e 800-
mile (1,287-km) Trans-Alaska pipeline starts here and ends in Valdez.
Located 260 miles (418 km) northwest of Fairbanks in the central Brooks
Range lies the village of Anaktuvuk Pass. is is the last remaining
settlement of the Nunamiut or inland northern Iñupiat people. eir
ancestors, who date to 500 B.C., settled the village in this area because it
lies directly on a caribou migration route.
e local Simon Paneak Memorial Museum operates year-round, offering
geological exhibits and Nunamiut cultural displays. Local cras, such as
caribou skin masks, are available for purchase.
Brooks Range
ousands of caribou migrate through the Brooks Range area each year.
ey travel through millions of acres of wilderness parklands in the Cape
Krusenstern National Monument, Kobuk Valley National Park, Noatak
National Preserve, Selawik National Wildlife Refuge, Gates of the Arctic
National Park and Preserve and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Backpacking in these isolated mountains or floating down the unspoiled
rivers are unparalleled wilderness experiences.
From Fairbanks or Bettles, the headquarters for many Alaska backcountry
guides, visitors can fly to wilderness lodges scattered throughout the
Brooks Range.
Another great Alaska experience is to drive the partially gravel Dalton
Highway (North Slope Haul Road) to Deadhorse. is 414-mile
(666-km) road parallels the northernmost portion of the trans-Alaska
pipeline. Few services are available, but wildlife is abundant and fishing
for Arctic grayling is superb. For road conditions and public access
restrictions, contact the Alaska Department of Transportation at
511.alaska.gov. Services available at Coldfoot and Yukon Crossing.
Access to Arctic Ocean is only by private shuttle from Deadhorse.
Mount Sukakpak, Dalton Highway
Arctic Circle crossing
Anaktuvuk Pass, Brooks Range
Monthly Temperature and Daylight Information
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