"Drive the Dalton Highway!" Coldfoot by jjkent

Coldfoot Travel Guide: 17 reviews and 29 photos

Looking south at Sukakpak Mountain - Mile 209

My interest in seeing the Arctic Circle brought me on a long weekend trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks. I had always wanted to see what the countryside looked like that far north. And, selfishly, I always wanted to boast that I was one of the few to have been north of the Arctic Circle!

Luckily, the Dalton Highway was built in the 1970's as a support highway for the oil operations on the North Slope of Alaska and the Alyeska Pipeline, which runs from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. The highway was closed to non-Alyeska vehicles (read: tourists) until the 1980's. Since then, the Dalton Highway still supports the North Slope oil operations as a primary objective, but is also a direct route for the curious, me included, to see the "top of the world!"

I rented a truck in Fairbanks and drove up to the beginning of the Dalton Highway near Livengood. This was the start of an awe-inspiring adventure to the top of the world! And luckily, I did it with no flat tires!

The Dalton Highway is a learning experience as well as a breathtaking exercise in the beauty of Alaska and the many geographical provinces you can see in a (relatively) short drive. If you have the opportunity, do the drive! Prepare, bring spare tires and bug nets, lunches and drinks, and don't forget your camera!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Drive to the top of the world!
Cons:Bring a spare tire or two!

Last visit to Coldfoot: Aug 2003
Intro Updated Jan 25, 2004
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Reviews (17)

The Dalton Highway - the journey is the adventure! - Coldfoot

How to drive the Dalton Highway Transportation (1)

There are tour busses that do the driving for you. These leave out of Fairbanks - if bus touring is your cup of tea, by... more travel advice

Camping at the Galbraith Lake site - Coldfoot

Camping & Lodging on the Dalton Highway Hotels (1)

There are three full-service facilities along the Dalton Highway that include hotels - Yukon River Crossing (Mile 56),... more travel advice

North slope - about 110 miles south of Deadhorse - Coldfoot

Turnaround Point - Mile 304 Things to Do (13)

I decided to turn around at mile 304 rather than press on to Deadhorse. My reasoning was I wanted a whole day to hike... more travel advice

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline snakes for 800 miles. - Coldfoot

Trans-Alaska Pipeline Things to Do (13)

The Trans-Alaska pipeline system is 800 miles of 48-inch diameter steel pipe, built in only 26 months between 1975 and... more travel advice

What to Pack (1)
What to bring on your adventure up the...

Nightlife (1)
Nightlife in Coldfoot?

Comments (6)

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BruceDunning Aug 29, 2009 at 2:49 PM

I saw some on this area on TV and thought well what would Vt people have to say. You have done a good job of presenting and the lush greenery looks appealing. Thank you
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mtnwmn Jun 22, 2006 at 5:22 PM

I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed your posts on your trip. My husband and I will be heading up to Prudhoe Bay and Coldfoot via the Dalton Hwy.
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chewy3326 Mar 3, 2006 at 1:29 PM

Great page! The Dalton Highway looks like a great trip, the scenery looks fantastic, too... I hope to see this area one day!
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MyHollyDay Apr 25, 2005 at 3:47 AM

So happy to see a site mentioning the dalton hwy! Just the info I need since I will be heading up that way with an RV, a thing that is totally foreign to me. How many hours did it take you from fairbanks to "top of the world"?
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Stephen-KarenConn Jun 4, 2004 at 11:50 AM

Very helpful tips. I'm planning a trip up that way in August and would especially like to hike into the Gates of the Arctic NP. Stephen
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Sharrie Jan 25, 2004 at 9:10 PM

U are the 1st one who built a page! Bravo! I was just checking 2 days ago & there was still nothing. Ok, I made it ... well to Antarctica, now I am on my way to Arctic. Guess I will be the 1st to make it here in the freezing winter!!!!!!!!!! Nuts, eh? ,-)