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Gates of the Arctic National Park

Threatened And Endangered Parks: Alaska

As delegates from nearly 200 countries gathered for the recent international conference on climate change, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres decried the “utterly inadequate” global response to the crisis so far. He warned that the “point of no return is no longer over the horizon” but that “It is in sight and hurtling toward us.” Nowhere are the consequences more visibly “hurtling,” and landing, than in Alaska. And in the northern state’s national parks and preserves, that means growing pressures on the very resources the National Park Service is charged with protecting.

A Far Off Place in the National Park System

Deep in the Brooks Range of central Alaska, the Arrigetch Peaks that lie within Gates of the Arctic National Park cup the headwaters of the Kobuk River. According to the National Park Service, the name of the Arrigetch Peaks comes from the Nunamiut word for "outstretched fingers."

Naval Lieutenant George Stoney explored the mountains in the mid-1880s. This is how he described the Arrigetch Peaks, which are located in the park's southwestern corner:

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The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.