James Dalton Highway
James Dalton Highway
4.5
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The only road through North Alaska, often hiked and camped beside.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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4.5
202 reviews
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MountainMama
CANTON, United States547 contributions
Jun 2020
The Dalton Highway is the original pipeline maintenance road. We took it to get to the Arctic Circle. There are restrooms periodically throughout the drive. You can stop in at the Yukon River Camp Cafe for lunch and dinner, or pack your own food. It's about a 16 hour day there and back (Arctic Circle) so come prepared. This road is not for the faint of heart. It is slightly elevated and still a working road for the truckers so stay out of their way. Finger mountain is a fun place to stop along the Dalton and climb on the rocks, as well as stopping to view the pipeline, and stretch your legs by the Yukon River. If you are lucky, you might get to meet Danny the Red Doberman owned by a local birch bark artist near Yukon River Camp. There are moose along the Dalton, if you are lucky you may just spot one crossing the road! You can take this road all the way to Prudhoe Bay! It is bumpy and long but well worth it! You can also see all the scars on the terrain from recent fires.
Written 23 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vpar4
High Point, NC178 contributions
Jun 2021
We drove from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle. The road itself was in reasonably good shape, although much of it was gravel. Traffic was minimal, and there is no cell service so it is important to either have a sat phone or self sufficient. We did see someone changing their own tire and not needing assistance. We went in summer, but I'm sure the Northern Lights are great in the winter. Remember that you can only take certain rental cars on this road (most companies don't allow it, so be sure to choose one that does). Also, pack extra food as the Yukon River camp did not have any real food (kitchen was closed) - I think it was due to lack of staff rather than Covid related.
Written 21 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DAROHATH
Cairns, Australia1,286 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
We had a good window of weather during our stay in Fairbanks, so hired a car and hit the Dalton. You can do a tour, but we wanted a more personalized experience so we drove. It should be noted, you can’t (and shouldn’t) take regular hire cars up in to the Arctic Circle. We rented a fully kitted out Ford Expedition. Rental was $350 for 24h, so by the time you pay for fuel, it’s about the same price as a tour for 2 people.
The highway itself was in pretty good condition and with some experience we felt comfortable in the Ford with its studded tyres. Like anywhere, just be aware of the weather conditions, come prepared and give the trucks space when they need it.
The only place between Fairbanks and the Arctic Circle you can get fuel is Yukon River Camp. Next spot is Coldfoot.
Total bucket list experience
The highway itself was in pretty good condition and with some experience we felt comfortable in the Ford with its studded tyres. Like anywhere, just be aware of the weather conditions, come prepared and give the trucks space when they need it.
The only place between Fairbanks and the Arctic Circle you can get fuel is Yukon River Camp. Next spot is Coldfoot.
Total bucket list experience
Written 4 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa
Pelham, AL29 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
Driving on the Dalton is another one of the once in a lifetime experiences for those who may never make it to Alaska more than once. It’s incredibly bumpy! Lots of potholes and washboards. I do not recommend pregnant women or those with neck or back problems to venture down this road for too long. However. if you’re up for the adventure it’s totally worth it. You’ll have to drive your own vehicle, take a tour, or rent from a company that allows you to drive on the Dalton. Most rental companies forbid driving their cars on the highway because of the damage it can cause.
Written 13 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annette H
Tucson, AZ53 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
This is a must do if you are adventurous! Luckily we traveled with a tour group on a large vehicle meant for the snow/ice and the driver was well versed in not only the history and information along the way, but used his CB radio to call in to other truckers where he was located for safety reasons. I'm glad we went in winter because the road was smooth with packed snow so not bumpy at all. We went from Fairbanks to Coldfoot and stayed 4 days there. The enchanted forest is something from out of this world, walking out onto the Yukon River was remarkable and hitting the Arctic Circle sign was a bucket list item! The bus/truck was always warm and temps were tolerable during our drive. It did take us 11 hours but we had lots of fun stops along the way. We flew back from Coldfoot to Fairbanks, so that was a great ending to the trip north! Highly recommend and do book a knowledgeable/experienced tour company.
Written 27 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave S
Omaha, NE203 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
If you see the word “highway”, you might think this was a paved two or four lane road. You would be wrong. This is essentially a gravel road for over 400 miles. Luckily we had an excellent tour bus driver who had lots of experience on this road. As she pointed out at the start of our trip, this Highway is one of the three most dangerous roads in the world. Seeing all of the crosses along the road for killed drivers, that was not hard to believe. There are many dangerous curves and the road is barely two lanes wide in many places. Add to that the semis racing down the road to the North Slope, this is not a drive someone unfamiliar with it should do. Do what we did and leave it to the professionals. There is only 1 area to stop for 200 miles at the Yukon River. Do not plan on getting any sleep on this road. It is a constant rough and bumpy ride. It was a unique Alaska experience which we would highly recommend. But do not try to drive it yourself.
Written 24 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AdamNish
Columbus, OH104 contributions
Jun 2022
Rode to the top of the Dalton Highway to Deadhorse! It was an amazing experience. Definitely not a fan of the graders and the mud, but otherwise enjoyed it! It wasn't as difficult as some of the stories that we had heard. Not cheap either. Gas in Deadhorse was $8.07 a gallon.
Written 11 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elinor H
Eagle River, AK39 contributions
Jul 2020
Alaska is big - we hear that all the time from visitors; however you don't realize how big it really is until you do this trip. Sure you get the lottery and drive the Denali Road; and yes that is pretty; and long; and on the side of a mountain... but then you drive the Dalton Highway in the middle of the summer and then you realize just how big this amazing land is.
This road maintained by the BLM is purely a functional road built for the O&G industry and you take in the difficulties of driving it in the summer; and realize how hard it must be during the winter and during the not so nice times outside the 3 summer months.
You go through distinct areas of Alaska, and spend most of the time driving in the Arctic Circle - where the sun just spins above you without knowing which way is North, South, East or West because the sun never went down.
You see all sorts of animals; no one is there to stop you from walking anywhere - you might die but that's on you.
This road maintained by the BLM is purely a functional road built for the O&G industry and you take in the difficulties of driving it in the summer; and realize how hard it must be during the winter and during the not so nice times outside the 3 summer months.
You go through distinct areas of Alaska, and spend most of the time driving in the Arctic Circle - where the sun just spins above you without knowing which way is North, South, East or West because the sun never went down.
You see all sorts of animals; no one is there to stop you from walking anywhere - you might die but that's on you.
Written 20 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tammy E
15 contributions
Jun 2020
Very adventurous driving up the Dalton. Slow down during curves in the road as this is the main transport of goods from Prudhoe Bay/Dead Horse and trucks are very frequent. The road is gravel and gas station service are few and far between. Expect at least one flat tire. The Arctic Circle sign and area to take photos is about 150 miles north of Fairbanks. Dead end is at Dead Horse unless you have permission to tour the oilfields and Arctic Ocean. Be prepared for any type of emergency. Truckers will usually stop to help stranded drivers. Along the way, you will be following the oil pipeline which will be visible from time to time.
Written 17 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PurpleAnkh
Fort Washington, MD280 contributions
Dec 2022
Traveled the Dalton highway as part of a tour. The scenery including the mountains were absolutely breathtaking. We drove as far as Atigun Pass so I got to see the treeline. There are outhouses along the way. Got to see a flock of the state bird the Willow Ptarmigan but didn't see any other animals. Saw lots of animal tracks but none of the animals. Also got to see long stretches of the pipeline. Enchanted Forest is also very cool.
Written 2 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
For early September, should I do a day time tour or night time tour?
Written 3 June 2021
I didn’t even know there are tours - it’s really remote - like the most remote you have most likely ever been in your life. Dark is DARK
Written 28 August 2024
Venkatesh Bhaskar
Boston, Massachusetts
How would the road conditions be in Late May/Early June? and would a Pick up truck be enough to make the drive safe?
Written 1 March 2021
Really not sure since we went in September during fall weather in a Jeep Cherokee. If there is no snow on the ground you will be fine. If there is snow and/or ice you have to be careful because the road is mainly used by trucks. It was incredible scenery when we went and the road is fine. We saw regular cars on it. One word of advice. Buy a tire plug kit just in case. We had a leak, got out, held our finger over it and put a plug in.
Written 5 March 2021
Hi, We are 4 people and would like to Drive to Arctic Circle from Fairbanks. Is there any Guided tour? Please let me know.
Written 23 June 2019
We used North Alaskan Tour Co-they were extremely professional. We used them to book a trip to Coldfoot for the Northern Lights and we were rewarded with 4 days (rather nights) of perfect conditions. Dionges gave great advice above. Note that going above the Arctic Circle is basically a drive up a mostly unpaved road for a photo op at a sign. I'd encourage you to consider more-perhaps checking out a place to stay a bit off the beaten path. Note that the Tour Co also arranges small plane flights to help you get off the beaten path-including points above the Arctic Circle. We recommend them highly.
Written 24 June 2019
Are there places you can set up a tent and camp for the night near Deadhorse or Prudhoe Bay?
Written 7 January 2019
Yes for sure. I slept on the ground (on a mat of course) right beside my vehicle on one trip up the highway. Alaska in general is very user friendly as to doing this, setting up a tent to camp. Good luck and best wishes. By the way, in the summer months, the mosquitoes are terrible. Should you do this, be sure your tent can protect you from them.
Written 8 January 2019
Beri B
Calgary, Canada
Hi, l am planing to go there with my wife in June 2019 on my cruiser style motorcycle and trailer. I was hoping to get to Coldfoot at 21st. when is 24 hr daylight. Is it big challenge to get to Deadhorse two adults on heavy motorcycle without trailer? Or l should go there alone and back after i touch the ocean? Any tire shops around , i will have extra spare tires just in case or tire repair spray should work? Any safe campground around Coldfoot?
Thank you in advance, any advice or experience will be appreciated
Cheers
Beri
Written 6 October 2018
Hi Ben, The road is paved as far as Coldfoot but dirt from there. It should be possible to get there by motorbike. There is camping at Coldfoot but not at Deadhorse as far as I know. There isn't mobile phone coverage and we communicated with other drivers by CB radio. It was to let the trucks know we were there. They have priority. It was very muddy and our car was filthy by the end. You need to go on a bus tour to get to the sea. There is a shop at Deadhorse but don't think it will have tires for your bike. Take spares. I loved the drive and the challenge of it. Would recommend it.
Written 7 October 2018
Can one drive the Dalton Highway all the way up to Deadhorse in a class A RV?
Written 15 October 2017
Yes but not preferred. It is a road like no one can understand. Very rough and not for the normally vehicle.
Written 15 December 2017
I want to make the drive from Fairbanks to the arctic circle sign this weekend. May 28th. Has anyone travelled in late May/June timeframe. How were there still snow on the roads?
Written 22 May 2017
I should say there was snow on the pass. As the one person states, take your time, pull over for the trucks. Most of all: enjoy, stop take pictures, get out and walk around. I spent 4 days up and back from Fairbanks on each of my trips.
Written 27 May 2017
Hi, I want to take some kind of 'guided' tour or join someone else maybe in July 2016 for a trip from Fairbanks. I don't think I am experience enough to try on my own. I will be flying from South Carolina. Any advice?
Thanks!
Written 26 January 2016
In summer I think with the proper vehicle and some detailed preparation the Dalton Highway would be a great trip and should, as others suggested, be done slowly to enjoy the views, the road itself will be just fine. We went in winter with Northern Alaska Tour Company who I highly suggest. I live in Wisconsin and learned how to drive in Upper Michigan so I am accustom to icy roads and I would still need to give very serious thought to a self drive trip in the winter mostly because there is little help available if something goes wrong. Regardless of when a Dalton road trip is made, get a satellite phone just in case.
Written 30 January 2016
Hi, just wondering if you can get from Fairbanks to Deadhorse without Self Driving in the winter? I know most of the tour companies close down for this period, is there any alternatives any one knows about?
Written 23 February 2015
A Tripadvisor member
Hi! I stayed at your motel about 30 yrs ago. It was great then and I assume it's great now. My question: back then, there were a couple of old rustic seafood restaurants, reached by boardwalks, perched on pilings out over the water. Are they gone? One had the best smoked mullet dip!
Written 28 December 2014
I would suggest that you google the name of this restaurant, and then email them directly. Sometimes restaurants are not open in the wintertime, and do not answer an email until they open in the spring time.
The title of this page refers to Coldfoot. There is a tourist place at Coldfoot. There are also Bed and Breakfast places at Wiseman, about two or three miles west of Coldfoot. Try to google Coldfoot tourist office.
By your question, I do not know the name of the restaurant, nor the village where this restaurant is located.
Do you have one of Alaska's "MILEMARKER" tourist books? It is early to receive a 2015 MILEMARKER, but you can probably acquire a 2014 MILEMARKER, either through the Alaska State Tourism Office, or perhaps via ebay, et. al. sites. If you do not have a MILEMARKER tourist book, and want to travel in Alaska, I suggest that you acquire a MILEMARKER tourist book, even if it is a 2014 edition.
Alaska motels, restaurants, and bed and breakfast personnel are among the most friendly and helpful people you can find in traveling. The information is out there; you just have to get on the internet and start your search. Best wishes.
Written 29 December 2014
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