America's Ultimate Wilderness Destination? Alaska's Brooks Range

If I could visit only one wilderness region for the rest of my life, this is it—and I'm headed back in summer 2023

Alaska’s Brooks Range stretches 700 miles east to west entirely above the Arctic Circle. Nearly all of it is protected as wilderness within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, and Noatak National Preserve.

I’ve been to the Brooks four times over the years, including two multi-week backpacking trips and a stint volunteering with the National Park Service, all in the central Brooks Range and Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. And they have been some of the most memorable adventures of my life.

Now I’m planning my return, to check off a life list wilderness adventure that I’ve been dreaming about for decades—a multi-week sojourn in the mountainous heart of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. August 2023. You’ll be hearing all about it.

Until then, let these photos from one of my Brooks Range adventures inspire you—and me!—to get ready, get psyched, and get planning for the next big wilderness trip.

Looking north from the Arctic divide into the Anaktuvuk River drainage. Photo: Matt Heid

Brooks Range reflection. Photo: Matt Heid

Flying north into the central Brooks Range. Photo: Matt Heid

Napaktualuit Mountain. Photo: Matt Heid

Savioyuk Creek. Photo: Matt Heid

Midsummer snow in the Tinayguk River valley. Photo: Matt Heid

Rainbow above the Tinayguk River watershed. Photo: Matt Heid

Descending into Anaktuvuk River watershed. Photo: Matt Heid