31 Bucket List National Parks That Are Surprisingly Underrated

By

Akanksha Sharma

June 2, 2025

17. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve (Alaska): Ultimate Solitude

Backpackers tents in a subarctic valley, jagged rock formation in background. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons @Paxson Woelber

For the truly adventurous seeking untamed wilderness, Gates of the Arctic is the pinnacle. Located entirely above the Arctic Circle, this vast park has no roads, no trails, and no established visitor facilities. It’s a realm of arctic tundra, wild rivers, and the rugged Brooks Range mountains, navigated only by experienced backpackers, floaters, or flightseeing tours. Home to caribou herds, grizzly bears, and wolves, it offers unparalleled solitude and a profound connection with raw, undeveloped nature for those prepared for self-sufficient exploration.

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