Closed
— Closed for winter. Opens mid-May through end of September depending on snowfall. First-come, first-served only at $12 per night. Payment via QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app.
About
Arctic Circle Campground is located on a beautiful mixed forest hillside at the Arctic Circle, half a mile east of the Dalton Highway at milepost 115. Fully renovated in 2021, this campground offers 19 accessible sites, each with a leveled pad, picnic table, and fire ring. The hillside location provides views of nearby hills and the Kanuti Flats National Wildlife Refuge.
The surrounding mixed forest provides habitat for squirrels, marten, lynx, wolf, and both brown and black bears. A variety of migratory birds breed in the area during summer, while ravens, grouse, and chickadees remain year-round. The campground features bear-resistant trash cans and two vault toilets.
Recreational opportunities include backcountry hiking on remote ridges (note: difficult terrain with tussocks and wet ground), fishing in Fish Creek and Bonanza Creek forks, gold panning on designated federal stream segments, floating the Jim River (Class I-II), bird watching, and bicycling. The iconic Arctic Circle sign is located at the base of the hill. The campground is approximately 200 miles north of Fairbanks, a 5-7 hour drive depending on conditions.
Directions
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 north on the Dalton Highway to milepost 115. The campground is on the east side of the highway, approximately half a mile up the hill via an access road at the north end of the Arctic Circle Wayside. The trip takes 5-7 hours from Fairbanks depending on weather and road conditions.
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