Arctic Circle Campground

About

Arctic Circle Campground sits on a mixed forest hillside at the Arctic Circle, about half a mile east of the Dalton Highway at Milepost 115. Fully renovated in 2021, this BLM campground provides 19 accessible campsites with views of nearby hills and the Kanuti Flats. The campground offers 6 pull-through RV sites, 11 back-in sites, and 2 walk-in tent sites. Each site includes a picnic table with extended ends to accommodate wheelchairs and a fire ring positioned at sitting height. Bear-resistant food lockers and trash receptacles are provided. The surrounding forest provides habitat for squirrels, marten, lynx, wolves, and both brown and black bears. Migratory birds breed in the area during summer, while ravens, grouse, and chickadees are year-round residents. Recreational opportunities include fishing in nearby Fish Creek and Bonanza Creek forks, backcountry hiking on ridges (though terrain can be challenging with tussocks and wet ground), gold panning on designated federal stream segments, and floating the Class I-II Jim River. The campground is about 200 miles north of Fairbanks, a 5-7 hour drive. Cell service is limited or nonexistent, so download the Recreation.gov app before arrival to pay the camping fee via QR code. Drive 20 miles north to Coldfoot for fuel, food, lodging, and cell service.

Directions

From Fairbanks, drive north 11 miles on the Steese Highway (AK-6) to the Elliott Highway (AK-2) junction in Fox. Follow the Elliott Highway 73 miles to the Dalton Highway (AK-11) junction. Continue north on the Dalton to Milepost 115. The campground access road is on the east side of the highway, approximately half a mile up the hill. Total distance is about 200 miles from Fairbanks, typically a 5-7 hour drive.