Park Comparison
Gates Of The Arctic & PreservevsVoyageurs
Two iconic parks, different strengths. Here's how they stack up.
Updated
The Quick Take
Gates Of The Arctic & Preserve
Six million acres where caribou migrations follow ancient routes and the Brooks Range rises through valleys most will never reach.
Voyageurs
Four interconnected lakes form a water maze where boats replace roads through 340 square miles of boreal wilderness and scattered islands.
At a Glance
The Crowd Picture
Gates Of The Arctic & Preserve sees less than half the visitors Voyageurs gets, which translates to a noticeably different crowd experience on trails and at viewpoints.
Gates Of The Arctic & Preserve
Gates Of The Arctic & Preserve welcomes 11,907 visitors annually across 20,685 square miles — about 1 visitors per square mile. Congestion is low, peaking in July. With only 1 comfortable months, visitors concentrate into a short window.
Voyageurs
Voyageurs welcomes 199K visitors annually across 340.9 square miles — about 584 visitors per square mile. Congestion is low, peaking in August.
When to Go
Click any month to see how conditions compare side-by-side.
Trails & Activities
Voyageurs National Park has more trail mileage for exploration.
Gates Of The Arctic & Preserve Top Activities
- hiking 10/10
- backpacking 10/10
- photography 10/10
- kayaking canoeing 9/10
- stargazing 9/10
Voyageurs Top Activities
- kayaking canoeing 9/10
- fishing 9/10
- wildlife viewing 8/10
- bird watching 8/10
- photography 8/10
Camping
Voyageurs National Park offers significantly more camping options.
The Bottom Line
Choose Gates Of The Arctic & Preserve if you...
- Want to experience Brooks Range
- Are looking for world-class hiking
- Are a photographer chasing iconic shots
Choose Voyageurs if you...
- Want to experience Rainy Lake
- Are looking for world-class fishing
- Are planning a couples getaway
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Gates Of The Arctic & Preserve or Voyageurs?
It depends on what you're looking for. Gates Of The Arctic & Preserve is known for Brooks Range, while Voyageurs is known for Rainy Lake. Gates Of The Arctic & Preserve is less crowded, making it the better pick if solitude matters to you.
Is Gates Of The Arctic & Preserve or Voyageurs more crowded?
Gates Of The Arctic & Preserve has a congestion index of 1/10 and receives 11,907 visitors per year. Voyageurs scores 2.1/10 with 199K annual visitors. Gates Of The Arctic & Preserve is the quieter option.
When is the best time to visit Gates Of The Arctic & Preserve vs Voyageurs?
The best month to visit Gates Of The Arctic & Preserve is July, while Voyageurs is best visited in June. The different peak seasons mean you could visit one in spring and the other in fall.
More Comparisons
Keep exploring — here's how these parks stack up against others.