How to elope in Gates of the Arctic National Park: The complete guide
Here in Gates of the Arctic, you’ll find a little bit of everything and all of it is wild and vast. The park is home to six Wild Rivers: Alatna, John, Kobuk, Noatak, North Fork Koyukuk, and the Tinayguk, southern foothills leading into waves of mountains, frozen taigas, boreal forests, and 8.4 million acres home to vast wildlife. The park contains a major part of range and habitat for the Western Arctic Caribou Herd, as well as homes many grizzly and black bears, wolves, moose, Dall’s sheep, wolverine, muskox, and foxes. This national park is not for the faint-hearted: self-sufficiency is important and if you’ve got it, it’ll pay off. I can’t wait to show you all that Gates of the Arctic has to offer! Let’s get started!
Click the photos for links to the original posters, vendors, and venues.
An Overview of Denali National Park
Climate & weather:
This park has a lot of extremes! The northern part of the park has the North Slope and the Arctic Coastal Plain, while the south side has the Yukon River and eventually gives way to the boreal forests and wetlands (boreal forests are forests that grow in “high latitude environments where freezing temps occur for 6-8 months of the year and in which trees are capable of reaching a minimum height of 5m and a canopy cover of 10%”, according to the International Boreal Forest Research Association.
The south side is a sub-arctic region with freezing winters, low precipitation, and high winds. The north is an arctic region with cooler summers, warmer winters, even less precipitation, and even more wind. There’s a big difference in elevation in the park ranging from 1000 to 8000 feet, which means there’s an equally diverse variation in weather and climate!
The spring is from March-May when the thawing of the ice begins. May starts the “break up” of river ice, so river crossing is still impossible and the temperatures can range from -10 to 50. Summer is June-September and it’s the best time to visit! Almost activities from backpacking to rafting to mountain climbing are accessible. There are 30 days of sunlight during the summer along with lots of thunderstorms but very little snow and temps range from 40-70 degrees. The fall is very short but very vibrant, but the return of freezing temps means air taxi pilots stop service in the fall. Winter is the most brutal option, but it’s your best bet for catching the northern lights. There’s around 80” of snow in the winter, the potential for avalanches, solid rivers of ice, and temps from -70 to -33.
Peak season:
The short summer is the best time to come and visit! Mid-June through September is ideal for backpacking, hiking, and the air taxis. Always remember to bring layers, as the weather can and does change rapidly without warning!
Airports, travel & getting around:
There are no roads or trails in the park, so you’ll either have to float, hike, or fly in. The most common way to explore the park is by air taxi from three “gateway communities”: Bettles, Coldfoot, or Anaktuvuk Pass. You can hike in from the Dalton Highway or Anaktuvuk Pass, but be prepared to make a few river crossings.
Bettles is a very small (as in, a population of 2, small!) bush village with air taxi service from Fairbanks.
Anaktuvuk Pass is an Iñupiat settlement in the North Slope, and because it’s a native community, you’ll need permission from the village council to enter (you can contact them via email). There’s no road to the pass, but there’s a small history museum, a community store, and a post office. You can walk through the native land, but you’ll need permission to camp.
Coldfoot is a small village 280 miles north of Fairbank you can reach by driving the Dalton Highway or get there by air taxi. They have a motel, store, cafe, and post office. You can also find campsites and trails into the park here. The nearby town of Wiseman has two lodges you can stay at as well.
Bush pilots and air taxi is by the far the best way to explore the park!
Safety information:
Because the park is so remote, you really are all alone during your visit. There is no cell service anywhere in the park and there are no amenities nearby. When you leave Fairbanks, Bettles, Coldfoot, or Anaktuvuk Pass, you very likely won’t see another person until you return back to one of the towns. You need to be confident you can take care of yourself out there! Make sure you know how to be self-reliant and administer first aid if needed.
Bring two copies of your detailed backcountry plan with you: one for your friends and family, and one for your pilot or starting point if you’re hiking in. This will tell people generally where to find you if you happen to not return at your scheduled time.
Be aware that weather can impact a pilot’s ability to get into the park to pick you up. If they’re unable to come get you, be prepared to spend an extra few days on your own until you can be extracted.
Satellite phones (or “sat” phones) are highly encouraged! It’s the only form of communication that works in the park since there’s no cell service.
Remember to always practice Leave No Trace, but especially in a park that prides itself on minimal human impact. Follow backcountry safety guidelines, and be aware of and protect the fragile ecosystems within the park.
Bear-resistant containers are required for your overnight stay in the park and are provided free of charge at any of the visitor centers, but are first-come, first-serve. Bring your own if you can!
Bear and Moose safety: The best way to practice bear safety in the backcountry is to always assume you’re going to encounter a bear. Don’t start a trip hoping to avoid them — plan to see one and know what to do when it happens. It’s the best way to be prepared! Study bear behavior and know how to react correctly. Read about bear behavior, watch some YouTube videos, and prepare accordingly. A few starter tips: carry and know how to use bear spray, make lots of noise often (it helps scare the bear away while you’re hiking/camping), hike with others, NEVER run from a bear, stay calm if you see one, don’t try to distract them by throwing something or dropping your pack. // Moose can weigh three- to four- times more than the average bear, up to 1600lbs! Moose charge when they feel threatened. Unlike with bears, you should run as fast as you can from a moose if it begins to charge.
Entry fees:
Unlike many other National Parks, entry into Gates of the Arctic National Park is FREE!
How to elope in Gates of the Arctic National Park
Obtaining a permit:
The permitting system here is as of June 2022 and subject to change any time. Make sure to conact the park when planning a wedding here to make sure you're doing so legally! You only need a permit for your elopement if there will be more than 12 people or you're setting up a structure (like an arch). Apply no less than 14 days before, and be ready to pay $100 for the permit
Getting a marriage license in Alaska:
Both parties must be at least 18 years old. There is a three-day waiting period that begins once a mailed or faxed application payment is received by the issuing office. If you need it quickly and cannot pick it up in person, you can have it shipped with Priority Mail. The license is valid for three months from the date of issuing. If you have been divorced before, you need to state the beginning and ending dates of your previous marriage on the application.
A note on officiants:
Since each state has different rules on who can marry you, let’s talk for a minute about Alaska. There are five different kinds of people who can legally marry you in Alaska: 1) A minister, priest, rabbi, or recognized leader of any church in the state, 2) a commissioned officer of the Salvation Army, 3) a marriage commissioner, 4) a judicial officer of the state, or 5) a friend or relative, as long as they get a marriage commissioner appointment from an Alaskan court as authorized by AS25.05.081.2.
Vendors near Acadia National Park
Remember that Gates of the Arctic is extremely remote, and most vendors don’t cater to the park itself. If you’re traveling from Fairbanks, you have more options for florists, HMUA, and other vendors but in general I recommend getting confident with doing your own hair and makeup in the backcountry! Because of the lack of options near the park, I’m only going to link some florists along with some tour guides who are perfect for helping you traverse the backcountry by kayak, hike, or air!
Best locations in Acadia National Park
Remember that some locations require special permits! Make sure to check with the park to see if there’s any requirements or considerations you need to know about.
Enjoying the rest of Gates of the Arctic National Park
What to pack:
Because Denali comes with it’s own set of unique challenges with being almost entirely in the backcountry, there’s some pretty important things to pack!
Sturdy hiking boots and at least a few pairs of wool or synthetic socks to keep your feet warm. Also consider bringing gaiters for river crossings!
A backpack that is fitted correctly and can carry your personal gear, a tent, and a rain fly for your pack.
A rain jacket and pants, NOT a rain poncho.
Warm, quick-drying clothing is very important! Cotton won’t keep you warm if you get wet, so stick to wool or synthetics like polypropylene or nylon. Bring quick-drying pants, at least one long-sleeved shirt, long underwear, a winter hat, waterproof gloves, and a fleece jacket. If you’re coming in the winter, know how to dress for sub-zero temperatures.
A stove, fuel, cookware, water bottles, and water purifying tablets or a water filter.
A sleeping bag and a pad.
Emergency gear and The Ten Essentials.
Bear Spray
Always bring a map! While apps like AllTrails are great, your phone could die or you could drop it in a puddle and poof — there go your maps. Paper maps are still a thing, I promise.
Be prepared with the bug trifecta: the right clothes, bug repellant, and something to treat bug bites. If you can stand it in the summer, pants will help shield you from ticks, black flies, and mosquitos. The same goes for long-sleeved shirts (you can even find some with SPF!).
Remember that sunburns can happen even on cloudy days, and especially on snowy (but sunny) days. Protect that beautiful skin of yours.
What to pack for your elopement:
You wouldn’t forget your dress or your suit (hopefully), but what about all the other little things? Here’s a short list of extras you might be forgetting:
A way to transport your ceremony clothing (whether by wearing it on a hike, packing it in a backpack, or just using garment bags)
Your rings! (A pretty important part, tbh.)
Vow books, clothing accessories (ties, cufflinks, belts, safety pins, stain remover), jewelry, perfume and deodorant, letters to each other, small trinkets, and anything else you plan on including during your elopement.
All of your legal documents, including park entrance passes, park wedding permits, IDs, and your marriage license (you’ll also need your passports if you’re coming from out of the country).
Where to stay:
What else to do around Denali National Park:
Float the rivers! There are many rivers running through the park, and six of them are designated Wild Rivers. For a river to get this designation means that it has the strongest level of protect the government can give it. It must have “remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, or other similar values”, according to the USDA. The six Wild Rivers here are the John River, Noatak River, Kobuck River, Alatna River, Tinyaguk River, and the North Fork of the Koyukuk River. You can also float the Killik, Itkillik, and the Nigu.
Hire an air taxi to take you on an arial trip of the park! This option is great for those that don’t have (or don’t want to use) backcountry camping and survival knowledge but still want to experience all the park has to offer.
Get your NPS Passport Book stamped! You can get your stamps at the Bettles Visitor Center and the Arctic Interagency Visitor Center in Coldfoot.