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At this spot, you'll officially cross into the Arctic Circle along the United States's only maintained road that cuts across the entrance to the polar region.
The Arctic Circle is a theoretical line where the sun does not set on the summer solstice or rise on the winter solstice Many northern countries have signs or monuments to mark this line. In the United States, the Arctic Circle passes through Alaska, and the Bureau of Land Management has marked this location with a sign.
The sign is located at the Arctic Circle Wayside off the Dalton Highway, at about Milepost 115, which is a rest stop and campground. It’s a simple wood sign featuring a view of the Earth looking down from the North Pole. On the back of the sign, visitors have left stickers indicating where they were from, including many international visitors.
Bear in mind that this sign may very well be out of date by the time you visit, as the Arctic Circle is moving north at about 49 feet per year.
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Know Before You Go
Tours are available in Fairbanks. If driving, note that the Dalton Highway is mostly an unpaved, compact gravel road. Most rental car companies in Alaska do not allow their vehicles on it and private vehicles are strongly encouraged to have more than one full-sized spare tire, tools, and CB, as the only nearby services are at the Yukon River (about 50 miles south) and Coldfoot (about 60 miles north) and there is no cellphone reception. The Dalton Highway is open year-round, though services at the Yukon River are closed mid-September to mid-May. Check local conditions before driving.
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Published
July 7, 2019
