Gates of the Arctic National Park
🇺🇸 United States
🦌 Caribou Cross Gates of ArcticGates of the Arctic National Park is a vast mountain wilderness in northern Alaska, far above the Arctic Circle. This remote park contains no roads, trails, or visitor facilities, featuring instead rugged tundra valleys, steep peaks, and untamed rivers carved out of an ancient landscape.
67.721° N 154.209° W
Wildlife
⭐ Iconic Species
★ 
Caribou
Rangifer tarandus
★ 
Dall Sheep
Ovis dalli
★ 
Brown Bear
Ursus arctos
★ 
Gray Wolf
Canis lupus
📊 Most Spotted
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
Moose
Alces americanus
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammea
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Gray Jay
Perisoreus canadensis
Common Raven
Corvus corax
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
Swainson's Thrush
Catharus ustulatus
White-winged Crossbill
Loxia leucoptera
Northern Waterthrush
Parkesia noveboracensis
Yellow Warbler
Setophaga petechia
⭐ Iconic Species
★ Caribou
Rangifer tarandus
★ Dall Sheep
Ovis dalli
★ Brown Bear
Ursus arctos
★ Gray Wolf
Canis lupus
📊 Most Spotted
Moose
Alces americanus
Snowshoe Hare
Lepus americanus
American Red Squirrel
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Muskox
Ovibos moschatus
Arctic Ground Squirrel
Urocitellus parryii
American Beaver
Castor canadensis
Canada Lynx
Lynx canadensis
American Black Bear
Ursus americanus
Greenland Collared Lemming
Dicrostonyx groenlandicus
Quiller
Erethizon dorsatus
📊 Most Spotted
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammea
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Gray Jay
Perisoreus canadensis
Common Raven
Corvus corax
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
Swainson's Thrush
Catharus ustulatus
White-winged Crossbill
Loxia leucoptera
Northern Waterthrush
Parkesia noveboracensis
Yellow Warbler
Setophaga petechia
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Catharus minimus
📊 Most Spotted
Recent sightings in Gates of the Arctic National Park
LIVEiNaturalistAnimal Events
1Caribou Migration
Thousands of caribou travel through the park's valleys and tundra, following ancestral routes to calving grounds.
2Arctic Ground Squirrel Emergence
Arctic ground squirrels emerge from hibernation, engaging in territorial disputes and mating rituals across the tundra.
3Brown Bear Feeding on Salmon
Bears congregate at riverbanks to catch spawning salmon, creating dramatic wildlife spectacles.
Sighting Calendar
Average chance of spotting the park's most-spotted species, month by month
- 1Caribou Migration
- 2Arctic Ground Squirrel Emergence
- 3Brown Bear Feeding on Salmon
Essentials
Climate
What visitors saw
Quick answers
What animals can you see in Gates of the Arctic National Park?
The most likely sightings are White-crowned Sparrow (seen by about 80% of wildlife watchers), Moose (seen by about 80% of wildlife watchers), Common Redpoll (seen by about 70% of wildlife watchers), American Robin (seen by about 60% of wildlife watchers), Gray Jay (seen by about 50% of wildlife watchers) — among 276 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.
When is the best time to visit Gates of the Arctic National Park for wildlife?
June has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.
Can you see Caribou in Gates of the Arctic National Park?
Yes — about 50% of wildlife watchers report a Caribou sighting in Gates of the Arctic National Park, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
Can you see Dall Sheep in Gates of the Arctic National Park?
Yes — about 30% of wildlife watchers report a Dall Sheep sighting in Gates of the Arctic National Park, based on 2 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
Can you see Brown Bear in Gates of the Arctic National Park?
Yes — about 30% of wildlife watchers report a Brown Bear sighting in Gates of the Arctic National Park, based on 4 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
Can you see Gray Wolf in Gates of the Arctic National Park?
Yes — about 30% of wildlife watchers report a Gray Wolf sighting in Gates of the Arctic National Park, based on 5 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
Where Wildlife Score
How good is this park for seeing wildlife?Biodiversity
GoodHow rich is the wildlife?
Sighting
GoodHow likely to see animals?
Experience
Very goodHow easy and pleasant is the visit?
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