Gates of the Arctic is a wilderness park, with no roads or trails into the park lands, so visitors must fly or hike into the park. Access to the park begins in Fairbanks, Alaska. There are several small airlines in Fairbanks that provide daily flights into the gateway  communities of Bettles and Anaktuvuk Pass, and flag stops to Coldfoot.

Most visitors access the park by air taxi, in small aircraft equipped with floats or tundra tires. Another option for accessing the park is to hike in from the Dalton Highway or from the village of Anaktuvuk Pass. There are no trails into the park and preserve from any location, and river crossings are necessary from both Anaktuvuk Pass and the Dalton Highway.

From Coldfoot: Drive 280 miles north from Fairbanks up the Dalton Highway or fly in using one of the small commercial air carriers in Fairbanks. Coldfoot has an air taxi, motel, store, cafe, post office and there are trails and campsites available. There are two lodges in the neighboring community of Wiseman. Visitors can fly into the park, or hike in from the highway.