Arctic Circle Campground
Arctic Circle Campground is located on a beautiful mixed forest hillside at the Arctic Circle. It was fully renovated in 2021. There are some views of nearby hills and the Kanuti Flats. It is located ½ mile east (uphill) from the Dalton Highway and Arctic Circle sign. The campground is a perfect stop for those exploring their way up the Dalton Highway. There are 19 accessible campsites. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to claim and purchase a site.
More like this: first-come in Alaska · tent only in Alaska
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 16 |
| Walk-in | 2 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
18 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Surface | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site 2 | Standard | Yes | ||
| Site 3 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Yes |
| Site 4 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Yes |
| Site 5 | Standard | Pull-through | Gravel | Yes |
| Site 6 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Yes |
| Site 7 | Standard | Pull-through | Gravel | Yes |
| Site 8 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Yes |
| Site 9 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Yes |
| Site 10 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Yes |
| Site 11 | Standard | Pull-through | Gravel | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site.
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | $12 per night. Campground is open from mid-May through end of September (depending on snowfall). |
| Accessibility | Sites Site 2, Site 3, Site 4, Site 5 and 15 more are listed accessible |
The roads, and parking aprons have a gravel surface. Six sites are pull-through allowing easy access for RVs, eleven sites are back-in, and there are two walk-in campsites. There are vault toilets, trash receptacles and bear resistant food lockers. Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table. A camp-host is onsite.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Fairbanks, drive north 11 miles on the Steese Highway (AK-6) to its junction with the Elliott Highway (AK-2) in Fox. Follow the Elliott Highway 73 miles to the junction with the Dalton Highway (AK-11). Continue on the Dalton to Arctic Circle Campground at Milepost 115.
| Nearest town | Fairbanks, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 66.5580° N, 150.7932° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Once on-site, you can pay for your campsites(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app.
- Download the free Recreation.gov mobile app on Android or iOS prior to your arrival as this is a remote area that has limited or no cellular service.
- Water is not available at the campground and there is no electricity and no dump station.
Explore
Video
2022 Alaska - Arctic Circle Campground
Public land it sits in
Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge begins about 6.9 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 6.9 miKanuti National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 1,315,111 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Natural features
The campsites are situated in a mixed forest with views of the nearby hills and the Kanuti Flats National Wildlife Refuge. The surrounding forest provides habitat for squirrels, marten, lynx, wolf and brown and black bears. A variety of birds migrate north to breed in the area. Some of the resident birds include ravens, grouse, and chickadees.
Recreation
The hills in the area are remote with rugged terrain and offer no developed routes. Backcountry hiking opportunities can be found on ridges in the area. Be advised that hiking can be difficult due to tussocks, wet ground and uneven footing. Choose your route with care and bring topographic maps, a satellite communication device, a GPS and a compass with you if you choose to go exploring. Fishing opportunities are numerous in this area. Try your luck in the aptly named Fish Creek at the base of the hill, or just a little ways to the north are the two forks of Bonanza Creek. Make sure you have a State of Alaska fishing license and know the regulations for the area you are fishing. Panning for gold is also allowed on a several federal stream segments along the Dalton Highway south of Atigun Pass (Milepost 244). No panning is permitted in the pipeline right-of-way (27 feet/8.2 m on either side of the pipeline) and no panning on federal mining claims without permission. Suction dredging is prohibited in the Utility Corridor.
Nearby
The Arctic Circle sign is located nearby. Take your photo in front of the sign and get your certificate to prove to your friends and family that you were there! Drive north about 20 miles to Gobblers Knob to get expansive views of the Brooks Range and Kanuti Flats National Wildlife Refuge. Drive just a little further and you can visit Coldfoot, which is located in the foothills of the Brooks Range. Fuel, food, lodging and cell service are available at Coldfoot.
Guidebooks for Alaska
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Arctic Circle Campground?
No. Arctic Circle Campground is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: How first-come camping works
How much does it cost to camp at Arctic Circle Campground?
$12 per night. Campground is open from mid-May through end of September (depending on snowfall).
How many sites does Arctic Circle Campground have?
19 sites, including 16 standard sites without power and 2 walk-in sites.
Source: Site mix
Can I bring an RV to Arctic Circle Campground?
Arctic Circle Campground is listed for tents only.
Are there accessible sites at Arctic Circle Campground?
Sites Site 2, Site 3, Site 4, and Site 5 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 19 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
What is there to do at Arctic Circle Campground?
The hills in the area are remote with rugged terrain and offer no developed routes. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Arctic Circle Campground?
Fairbanks, Alaska. The Arctic Circle sign is located nearby.
Source: Getting there
What if Arctic Circle Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Five Mile Campground (51.7 mi, first-come) and Marion Creek Campground (55.2 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby