Gateway Town

Coldfoot

Gateway Town

Last gas & food for 240 miles. World's northernmost truck stop—essential stop heading north.

Quick facts

Town Type
Supply Depot
Population
34
Best Known For
World's northernmost truck stop; last services before 240-mile wilderness gap to Deadhorse
About This Town
Coldfoot is the world's northernmost truck stop and an essential resupply checkpoint for travelers heading north on the Dalton Highway. Beyond Coldfoot, there are no services or food for 240 miles until Deadhorse. The settlement's name comes from 1900 gold seekers who lost nerve and turned back from the harsh interior. Today, Slate Creek Inn (with restaurant and RV facilities) and a joint visitor center run by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management make this hamlet a critical logistics stop.

Town overview

Town Type
Supply Depot
Population
34
Best Known For
World's northernmost truck stop; last services before 240-mile wilderness gap to Deadhorse
About This Town
Coldfoot is the world's northernmost truck stop and an essential resupply checkpoint for travelers heading north on the Dalton Highway. Beyond Coldfoot, there are no services or food for 240 miles until Deadhorse. The settlement's name comes from 1900 gold seekers who lost nerve and turned back from the harsh interior. Today, Slate Creek Inn (with restaurant and RV facilities) and a joint visitor center run by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management make this hamlet a critical logistics stop.
What Makes It Special
World's northernmost truck stop; infamous 240-mile service gap to Deadhorse (longest such stretch in the United States); history rooted in 1900 gold rush and pipeline construction

Park access

Distance From Park
143.8 km east
Nearest Airport
Coldfoot airstrip served by Air Arctic, Northern Alaska Tour Company, and Wright Air Service (service usually as part of tours connecting to Fairbanks; call visitor center at (907) 678-5209 for details)

Where to stay & eat

Hotel Count
1
Bnb Count
0
Lodging Variety
One hotel (Slate Creek Inn) with private and shared-bath rooms; RV hookups (water and electric) and tent sites also available
Best Area To Stay
Slate Creek Inn is the only hotel option in town, located on the highway—expect truck-stop atmosphere and highway noise. All lodging types (private room, shared bath, RV hookup, tent site) are at this one facility.
Restaurant Count
1
Restaurant Types
Truck-stop diner with buffet breakfast and dinner (summer) and à la carte menu (winter)
Dining Price Ranges
$6–$13 entrees (winter menu); buffet pricing (summer)

Visitor services

Grocery Stores
Gift shop with tourist items only; no full grocery store—stock up in Fairbanks before driving north
Gas Stations
Truck-stop fuel services available (hours not documented; call (907) 678-5209 for specifics)
Laundry Facilities
1

Things to do

Main Attractions
Visitor center with information on Dalton Highway and Arctic recreation; nightly ranger slide presentations (summer)
Summer Activities
In-town: dining, camping, visiting visitor center. Nearby: Dalton Highway exploration, hiking, and Arctic touring starting points (see visitor center for specifics)

Planning advice

Peak Season
Summer (June–August), when visitor center operates and tour companies schedule stops
Booking Advance
Slate Creek Inn is popular with summer tour groups—book 2–3 months ahead for June–August. Walk-ins possible off-season (September–May) but rooms may be limited.
Stock Up Here
This is your last chance for 240 miles. Fill your gas tank at the truck stop. Buy hot meals at the restaurant (order ahead for early departures). Gift shop for souvenirs. Tire shop for last-minute repairs. Stock groceries in Fairbanks before you arrive—Coldfoot offers only tourist-priced gift items.
Late Night Intel
Kitchen closes midnight. Restaurant open until midnight for deli items. After hours, limited options—order a boxed meal the night before if you need breakfast before 5 AM. No all-night diner.
The Vibe
Coldfoot is a working hub, not a cute resort town. Truck-stop atmosphere, minimal amenities, purely functional. Expect highway diner culture and practical logistics. You need a car—town spans a half-mile to 1.5 miles. Most visitors stop only for fuel, food, and laundry before continuing north or returning to Fairbanks.
Best Time To Visit
Summer (June–August), when the visitor center operates daily with nightly slide presentations and tour operators are active
Tips Advice
  • Restaurant open 5 AM–midnight; plan meals around these hours.\n
  • Fill your gas tank before continuing north—240 miles until Deadhorse.\n
  • Laundry machines and showers available at inn 10 AM–10 PM (fee-based for non-guests).\n
  • Tire shop on-site; towing costs ~$5/mile with parts from Fairbanks taking weeks.\n
  • Summer tour groups book ahead—call for availability June–August.\n
  • Cell service is unreliable; bring GPS device and paper maps.

More details

Visitor Center Location
Coldfoot visitor center, operated by NPS/Fish & Wildlife/BLM. Open daily 10 AM–10 PM summer. Phone: (907) 678-5209. Offers nightly slide presentations on Arctic recreation.
Insider Tips
  • Nightly slide presentations at visitor center (summer) worth an hour if staying overnight.\n
  • Gift shop (5 AM–midnight) has last-minute souvenirs at typical tourist markup.\n
  • Order boxed meals from restaurant the night before for pre-dawn departures.\n
  • Shower/laundry combo at inn offers best value for non-guests.
Family Friendly Notes
Truck-stop atmosphere; highway location with highway noise and traffic. Limited activities for children beyond the visitor center slide presentations. Older kids may enjoy the novelty of the "world's northernmost truck stop."
Nearby Facilities
Slate Creek Inn with 50 private-bath rooms and 28 shared-bath rooms; restaurant; joint visitor center (NPS/BLM/Fish & Wildlife); tire shop with towing services; gift shop; laundry facilities; showers (fee-based for non-guests)

Location

Frequently asked questions

How far to the next services?

240 miles to Deadhorse. Coldfoot is your last stop. No gas, food, or services beyond this point until Deadhorse.

When is the restaurant open?

5 AM to midnight year-round. Buffet breakfast and dinner in summer; à la carte menu ($6–$13 entrees) in winter.

Do I need a hotel reservation?

Slate Creek Inn is popular with summer tour groups. Reservations recommended June–August; walk-ins more likely off-season (September–May).

Can I camp or park my RV here?

Slate Creek Inn offers RV hookups (water and electric, $35/day), dry RV sites ($15/day), and tent sites ($15/day). All include showers and restroom access.

What if I get a flat tire or break down?

Tire shop on-site for repairs. Towing costs ~$5/mile; parts from Fairbanks take weeks and are expensive. Call visitor center (907) 678-5209 for assistance.

Is there cell service or WiFi?

Service is spotty. Bring a GPS device, paper maps, and a satellite communicator if possible. Confirm current connectivity with visitor center staff.

Bettles

One of Alaska's tiniest cities. 23 residents, zero restaurants. Gateway to the park.

Wiseman

Remote mining hamlet, zero services. Bring supplies or head 13 miles to Coldfoot.

Anaktuvuk Pass

Remote Inupiat village inside the park. Everything closes early; plan food ahead.

Sources

  • YourNPGuide Editorial

Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated July 2026. Report an issue.