Bettles AlaskaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Bettles, Alaska.
1. Gates of the Arctic National Park
PRISTINE WILDERNESS ADVENTURE
Gates of the Arctic National Park is a magnificent wilderness area directly north of Bettles that offers incredible hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities. Visitors can arrange air taxi services from Bettles to access various areas of this remote park. The park features untouched landscapes, diverse wildlife including caribou and bears, and provides a true Alaskan backcountry experience.
2. Bettles Ranger Station and Visitor Center
PARK INFORMATION HUB
Bettles Ranger Station and Visitor Center serves as the gateway to information about Gates of the Arctic National Park. Travelers can attend backcountry orientations, receive park condition updates, and check out bear resistant food containers here. The center also offers ranger programs and allows visitors to stamp their national park passports.
3. Brooks Range Aviation
SCENIC AIR TOURS
Brooks Range Aviation offers vital air taxi services to explore the remote regions surrounding Bettles. Their experienced pilots provide flights into Gates of the Arctic National Park, allowing visitors to access otherwise unreachable wilderness areas. The company specializes in customized flightseeing tours that showcase Alaska's breathtaking Arctic landscapes.
4. Koyukuk River Rafting
WILD RIVER ADVENTURE
Koyukuk River offers exhilarating rafting experiences that can be arranged in Bettles. The fast-flowing river provides adventurers with a unique perspective of the sublime Alaskan wilderness. Rafting trips allow visitors to spot wildlife along the riverbanks while navigating the pristine waters of this remote region.
5. Bettles Lodge
HISTORIC ARCTIC ACCOMMODATION
Bettles Lodge is a historic establishment built by Wilford Evans, Sr., offering comfortable accommodations in this remote Arctic community. The lodge serves as both a place to stay and a general store for visitors and locals alike. It provides a cozy base for exploring the surrounding wilderness areas and preparing for backcountry adventures.
6. Aurora Viewing
NORTHERN LIGHTS EXPERIENCE
Bettles is renowned as one of the premier locations for viewing the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) due to its location under the auroral oval. The remote setting offers minimal light pollution, creating perfect conditions for witnessing this spectacular natural phenomenon. Winter visitors can experience breathtaking displays of green, purple, and red lights dancing across the Arctic sky.
7. Kobuk National Preserve
WESTERN WILDERNESS EXPANSE
Kobuk National Preserve is an expansive wilderness area accessible from Bettles via air transportation. This preserve features diverse ecosystems including the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, boreal forests, and important caribou migration routes. Visitors can experience fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing in this remote and pristine environment.
8. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
VAST WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a vast protected area that can be accessed via flights from Bettles. The refuge encompasses nearly 20 million acres of wilderness, providing critical habitat for polar bears, caribou, and numerous bird species. Adventurous travelers can experience unparalleled wilderness hiking, photography, and wildlife observation opportunities.
9. Bettles' Gold Rush History Tour
ARCTIC MINING HERITAGE
Bettles' Gold Rush History Tour offers visitors insights into the town's origins as a gold mining settlement at the turn of the 20th century. The tour explores the legacy of Gordon Bettles, the village's namesake, and the European prospectors who were drawn to the area in search of Arctic gold. Visitors can discover historical artifacts and hear fascinating stories about the challenges of frontier life in this remote region.
10. Koyukuk River Fishing
PREMIER ARCTIC ANGLING
Koyukuk River Fishing offers exceptional angling opportunities with a variety of fish species in the waters surrounding Bettles. Anglers can find idyllic spots along the banks of the fast-flowing river to cast their lines while enjoying the beautiful, tranquil landscape. Local guides can help visitors target northern pike, Arctic grayling, and several species of salmon during their peak seasons.
11. Winter Dog Sledding
TRADITIONAL ARCTIC TRANSPORTATION
Winter Dog Sledding experiences in Bettles allow visitors to participate in a traditional Arctic mode of transportation. Guided mushing trips take adventurers across frozen landscapes, offering a unique perspective of the winter wilderness. Participants can learn about the history, training, and care of sled dogs while experiencing the thrill of gliding across snow-covered terrain.
12. Evansville Cultural Center
NATIVE HERITAGE SHOWCASE
Evansville Cultural Center celebrates the rich heritage of the Koyukon Athabascans and Iñupiat peoples who have traditionally inhabited the region. The center features exhibits of traditional tools, clothing, and artwork that highlight indigenous knowledge and adaptation to the Arctic environment. Visitors can learn about subsistence practices and cultural traditions that continue to this day in this remote part of Alaska.
13. John River Expedition
REMOTE RIVER JOURNEY
John River Expedition offers adventurous travelers the opportunity to paddle through Gates of the Arctic National Park with Bettles as a takeout point. The river journey showcases dramatic mountain scenery, abundant wildlife, and the pristine wilderness of Alaska's Arctic region. Guided trips provide equipment, expertise, and safety support for experiencing this remote waterway that has served as an important route for centuries.
14. Arctic Circle Trading Post
NORTHERN FRONTIER SUPPLIES
Arctic Circle Trading Post serves as an essential supply center for both visitors and the small permanent population of Bettles. The trading post offers a selection of basic groceries, outdoor equipment, and unique Alaskan souvenirs crafted by local artisans. Travelers can find necessary supplies for backcountry adventures as well as authentic keepsakes representing the Arctic region.
15. Dalton Highway Ice Road
WINTER TRANSPORTATION LINK
Dalton Highway Ice Road is a seasonal route that sometimes connects Bettles to Alaska's road system during winter months. This temporary ice road provides a rare opportunity for visitors to drive to this otherwise isolated community when conditions permit. Winter travelers can experience the unique adventure of driving across frozen terrain to reach this remote Arctic settlement.