Arctic Circle Campground

4.56

9 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

19 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens booking site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

19 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens booking site

Get Directions

Arctic Circle Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

167,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

What Campers Say

4.56

Top-Rated

Based on 9 reviews

9 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquietcleansites

"Reviewers overwhelmingly love Arctic Circle Campground, consistently rating it highly for cleanliness, quiet, and scenery. They describe it as a surprisingly well‑maintained, remote BLM campground that feels spacious and peaceful, with simple but very clean facilities. A few note that it’s basic and right off a busy destination parking area, but still a special “bucket list” stop if you’re prepared for the remoteness."

Read all reviews

Best Time to Camp at Arctic Circle Campground

The campground welcomes adventurers from approximately May through September, when the land thaws and the tundra comes alive with wildflowers and wildlife. Even when camping season ends, the famous Arctic Circle sign, picnic circle, and restroom facilities remain open year-round for intrepid travelers making the journey along the Dalton Highway in winter's grip or during the endless daylight of summer.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Campground open approximately May–September. Picnic circle, Arctic Circle sign, and restrooms are accessible year-round.

About Arctic Circle Campground

Nestled just east of the iconic Arctic Circle Wayside at milepost 115 on the legendary Dalton Highway, this intimate 19-site campground offers travelers a rare opportunity to sleep under the midnight sun north of the Arctic Circle. Thoughtfully renovated in 2021, each site features level ground, fire rings for evening gatherings, picnic tables, and modern amenities including bear-resistant trash receptacles and vault toilets—though visitors should pack in their own water for this remote adventure.

The facility provides 19 leveled campsites renovated in 2021 for general campground use. Specific campsite types (tent, RV, group, cabins, glamping) or hookups are not indicated in the provided information.

Historical SignificanceStand at one of Earth's most significant geographic markers—the Arctic Circle itself—where an interpretive viewing deck helps visitors understand the astronomical phenomenon that defines this latitude. The 2021 renovation brought new life to this historic waypoint, transforming it into a comfortable base camp while preserving its role as a milestone destination for those seeking to venture into the Far North.

Weather and SeasonsThe campground welcomes adventurers from approximately May through September, when the land thaws and the tundra comes alive with wildflowers and wildlife. Even when camping season ends, the famous Arctic Circle sign, picnic circle, and restroom facilities remain open year-round for intrepid travelers making the journey along the Dalton Highway in winter's grip or during the endless daylight of summer.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground's crown jewel is its direct access to the Arctic Circle sign and elevated viewing deck, where interpretive displays reveal the secrets of life above 66°33' North latitude. From the thoughtfully designed picnic area and gathering circle, visitors can watch the sun trace its peculiar arc across the sky, observe the transition from boreal forest to tundra, and contemplate the vast wilderness stretching endlessly toward the Brooks Range and beyond.

Geological RegionArctic Circle

Campsite details

AccessibilityPicnic circle, Arctic Circle sign/viewing deck, and restrooms are accessible year-round.

Sites Size19 leveled campsites

Total Campsites19 campsites

Recommended CampsitesWater is not available on site; nearest water sources are Five Mile Campground (55 miles south) and Marion Creek Campground (65 miles north).

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layout19 leveled campsites with fire rings and picnic tables; picnic circle; two vault toilets; bear-resistant trash cans on site.

Open and Closed SeasonCampground open approximately May–September. Picnic circle, Arctic Circle sign, and restrooms are accessible year-round.

Cancellation PolicyCampground is open approximately May-September. Picnic circle, sign, and restrooms are accessible year-round.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Flush toilets

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Features a viewing deck with interpretive displays at the Arctic Circle sign and a picnic area; visitors commonly stop to view the sign, read displays, have lunch, and camp. The picnic circle, sign, and restrooms are accessible year‑round; the campground is open approximately May–September.

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed
Each site has a fire ring (fire rings provided at campsites).

Hazards

General hazardsNo potable water is available at the campground. Nearest water is at Five Mile Campground (south 55 miles) or Marion Creek Campground (north 65 miles).

Weather at Arctic Circle Campground

-20

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Partly cloudy

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 90%

Wind: 0.7 mph

Partly cloudy

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Trash and recyclingBear‑resistant trash cans provided.

Proximity to water featuresNo on-site water. Nearest water: Five Mile Campground — 55 miles south; Marion Creek Campground — 65 miles north.

Campground Map

Arctic Circle Campground

Driving directionsFrom Fairbanks, travel north a total of 84 miles on the Steese (AK-6) and Elliott (AK-2) Highways to the Dalton Highway Junction and bear right to turn onto the Dalton (AK-11). Continue to milepost 115, then turn right and travel 1/4 mile due east of the Arctic Circle Wayside via the gravel road on the north side of the wayside.

Located off the Dalton Highway (AK-11) at milepost 115; access via a 1/4 mile gravel side road east of the Arctic Circle Wayside (north side of the wayside).

Nearby places

Fairbanks — 84 miles

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.6

9 reviews

Top-Rated

Arctic Circle Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers overwhelmingly love Arctic Circle Campground, consistently rating it highly for cleanliness, quiet, and scenery. They describe it as a surprisingly well‑maintained, remote BLM campground that feels spacious and peaceful, with simple but very clean facilities. A few note that it’s basic and right off a busy destination parking area, but still a special “bucket list” stop if you’re prepared for the remoteness.

Review Summaries

Based on 9 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers praise how clean and well‑maintained the campground and vault toilets are, often calling it the nicest BLM campground they’ve visited. They like the quiet atmosphere, beautiful views, and...

Based on 9 reviews

Common Concerns

Bugs—especially mosquitoes—are a recurring issue, with one reviewer saying they are “hungry and plentiful.” Several reviews emphasize that there is no water, sewer, or dump station at the campground,...

Based on 9 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers repeatedly stress coming fully self‑sufficient: bring your own water, as there’s none on site, and be prepared for no dump or sewer. In summer, reviewers recommend strong mosquito protection...

Based on 9 reviews

Camper Quotes

"By far, the nicest BLM campground we've ever been to. Camp host is super friendly and gave us a Arctic Circle certificate for our efforts." "Great campground that is surprisingly clean and well...

Based on 9 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

One reviewer calls out inconsiderate behavior from another camper who brushed their dog at the site and left fur behind, emphasizing that pet owners should clean up after grooming their animals. No...

Based on 9 reviews