It is impossible to drive to Barrow, Alaska, as its remote location north of the Arctic Circle means it is not connected to the main Alaskan road network. The northern coast of Alaska, where Barrow is situated, experiences a harsh arctic climate with permafrost, ice, and challenging terrain. Such conditions make constructing and maintaining roads in the region incredibly difficult. Therefore, there are only very limited local roads in the region and none connecting the city with nearby towns or the main Alaskan road system. The absence of any road connection to the rest of Alaska means that travel by sea, or more commonly by air, is the only viable option for visitors. Most visitors choose to fly in from other Alaskan cities, arriving at the nearby Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport.
Barrow, Alaska, which is now officially known as Utqiaġvik, is located on the northern coast of Alaska, in the North Slope Borough. It is situated on the Barrow Peninsula, which extends into the Chukchi Sea. Utqiaġvik is the northernmost city in the United States, located approximately 330 miles north of the Arctic Circle.
Barrow’s incredibly remote location, some 330 miles north of the Arctic Circle, makes it a tricky place to reach. While there are options, they’re pretty limited, particularly during the extreme winter months.
Land travel to Barrow is hampered by the incredibly challenging terrain and the extreme climate. There are currently no roads linking the city with the main Alaskan Road System and no plans to build any. Therefore, travel by land is out of the question.
During the winter months, large areas of the surrounding ocean freeze over. While the frozen sea does provide options for local travel via temporary ice roads, there’s no viable way to travel long distances by ice road.
There are three different ways to travel by sea to Barrow, but none of these are conventional mainstream ways of traveling. The state-wide ferry service, the Alaskan Marine Highway Service, doesn’t travel as far north as Barrow. This means there are no scheduled sailings to Barrow. Therefore, the only options that you have are:
Arctic Cruises: Some specialized cruises offer Arctic itineraries that may include a stop in Barrow. These cruises typically operate during the summer when the Arctic ice conditions are more favorable.
Cargo or Supply Ships: Barrow receives occasional cargo or supply ships, transporting goods and supplies to the town. While these ships are not primarily designed for passenger transportation, it may be possible to secure passage on them. Availability tends to be limited, and the schedules may not align with your itinerary.
Private Charters: The final option is only one for the super-wealthy. There’s the remote possibility of chartering a private boat to Barrow. However, very few private charter vessels can sail in the waters of the Arctic Ocean. Therefore, this is both a prohibitively expensive and difficult option to pursue.
Given its extremely remote location, air is the primary means of traveling to Barrow. All air travel comes through nearby Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport, which connects the city with other Alaskan destinations. Popular routes include Anchorage, Fairbanks, Wainwright, Point Lay, and Nuiqsut. Several airlines operate from the airport, with Alaska Airlines and Astral Aviation offering the most flights.
When traveling by air to Barrow, booking well in advance is important. Routes can often be busy during summer, even with a more expansive schedule. In winter, there are far fewer flights, and they can often be impacted by extreme weather.
You only need to look at the map below to understand why there are no roads into Barrow. The city’s far-flung location on the northern Alaskan coast means that it is a long way from any other meaningful settlement. Oceans also surround it to the west, east, and north. To the south lies the vast arctic tundra, interspersed with wetlands and bodies of water.
Given the distances involved, the incredibly challenging landscape, and the relatively low demand for a road, there’s currently no consideration around building a road. While constructing a road is technically possible, the costs involved and the limited economic benefits make this a pipe dream at best.
Barrow, Alaska, is a remote and unique destination, and it offers plenty of activities and attractions that showcase the region’s Arctic culture and natural beauty. Here are nine of the very best things to do in Barrow:
Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the Iñupiat people at the Iñupiat Heritage Center. You can learn about their history, traditions, and art through the various exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays. It’s an excellent opportunity to gain meaningful insight into the local community’s way of life.
A guided tundra tour around the Barrow region allows you to experience the Arctic landscape up close. The local guides will lead you through the tundra, sharing their knowledge about the region’s flora, fauna, and unique ecosystem. If you’re lucky, you’ll experience some wildlife sightings, including caribou, Arctic foxes, and various bird species.
You can discover the fascinating research being conducted in the Arctic region by visiting the Barrow Arctic Science Consortium. You can learn about climate studies, marine biology, and other scientific endeavors contributing to our understanding of this fragile environment.
The Barrow Environmental Observatory offers a chance to observe and learn about the Arctic’s changing climate and its impact on the land, sea, and atmosphere. Guided tours provide insights into the research conducted at the observatory and the significance of the data collected.
Barrow experiences the phenomenon of the midnight sun during the summer months, where the sun remains above the horizon for 24 hours a day. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to witness the continuous daylight and experience the surreal beauty of the Arctic landscape bathed in sunlight.
Barrow hosts various cultural events and festivals throughout the year, offering a chance to witness traditional Iñupiat celebrations. These events often feature dance performances, storytelling, traditional games, and demonstrations of traditional crafts. Some of the most popular include Nalukataq, Piuraagiaqta, Barrow Eskimo Olympics, and Inupiaq Drum and Dance Festival.
Tantalize your taste buds by sampling some traditional Iñupiat dishes and local Arctic delicacies during your stay in Barrow. Experience dishes such as akutuq (Eskimo ice cream), muktuk (whale blubber and skin), and other traditional foods that highlight the Arctic’s culinary heritage.
For the adventurous, why not brave the Arctic Ocean’s chilly waters for a swim? It’s a memorable (if a little chilly) experience to say you’ve swum in the northernmost ocean on the planet.
If you’re visiting Barrow during winter, you can witness the breathtaking aurora borealis. Seek out dark, clear nights away from the city lights to maximize your chances of seeing this amazing natural phenomenon.
The summer season in Barrow, Alaska, presents a captivating and favorable time to explore this unique Arctic destination. With extended daylight hours, milder temperatures, vibrant wildlife, and cultural festivities, there are plenty of reasons to visit at this time of year.
During the summer months, Barrow experiences the mesmerizing phenomenon of the midnight sun. From late May to late July, the sun remains above the horizon for 24 hours daily, casting a constant glow over the Arctic landscape. This extended daylight provides an extraordinary opportunity to immerse yourself in the region’s pristine beauty and make the most of your exploration time.
In terms of weather, summer brings milder temperatures than the harsh Arctic winter. With average temperatures ranging from around 30°F (-1°C) to 50°F (10°C), the weather becomes more comfortable for outdoor activities. Whether hiking across the tundra, observing wildlife, or simply taking in the stunning scenery, the pleasant temperatures enhance your overall experience.
The summer season in Barrow also offers unparalleled wildlife encounters. As the Arctic region comes to life, you can witness diverse wildlife species. Caribou herds migrate through the region, Arctic foxes roam the tundra, and various bird species grace the skies. Along the coast, you may even spot marine mammals such as seals and whales passing by.
Moreover, in Barrow, summer is a vibrant time, with cultural events and festivals. These celebrations offer a unique window into the rich heritage of the Iñupiat people, the native inhabitants of the region. From traditional dances and music performances to storytelling and demonstrations of traditional crafts, you can engage with the local community and gain a deeper understanding of their culture and way of life.
Lastly and by no means least, traveling to Barrow is easier during the summer months. Flights, accommodations, and tourist services cater to the increased number of visitors that arrive during summer, ensuring a better travel experience and a much wider range of options for lodging and activities.
You can drive to Morocco from the neighboring countries of Spain and Mauritania, but not Algeria, despite a nearly 2000 km long border between the two countries. Travel between Morocco and any of its neighbors comes with its fair share of challenges. At first glance, you could be mistaken for
If you love solitude, amazing landscapes, and vast open spaces, you’re going to love Western Australia. This amazing land, and the northwest in particular, is often referred to as the ‘Last Frontier’. It’s a land of endless remote possibilities and nowhere showcases this better than the amazing array of national
The Albanian port city of Vlore is one of Albania’s spectacular coastal highlights. Situated at the northern end of the Albanian Riviera and overlooking the beautiful Bay of Vlore, the city is blessed with a wealth of attractions. The home of Albanian independence and the gateway to the Riviera, the
You can drive to remote Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean using the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, also known as the “Mackenzie Highway” or “Tuk Highway.” The road provides access to Tuktoyaktuk from Inuvik in the Northwest Territories. Inuvik is accessible from mainland Canada by using the Dempster Highway, which runs all the
It’s possible to drive to beautiful Gasparilla Island from the nearby Florida mainland using a bridge known as the Boca Grande Causeway. The causeway connects the unincorporated community of Placida on the mainland to the northern tip of Gasparilla Island, allowing vehicles to access the island. There’s a $6 round
You can drive to Guyana but only from one of the three South American countries with a common land border. The border crossing with neighboring Brazil in the southwest of Guyana is currently the only open crossing. However, it is located in a very remote region. There are currently no
