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Fairbanks Sat Phone Rental
Pick up your Iridium sat phone in Fairbanks before you leave cell coverage. Free hotel delivery with notice.
Source / details →Home / Dalton Highway Travel
Dalton Highway travel guide
Drive Fairbanks → Elliott Highway → Fox → Dalton Highway (Haul Road) north to the Arctic Circle, Coldfoot, Atigun Pass, Deadhorse, and the Arctic Ocean. This guide maps the Elliott approach from Fairbanks-area sites plus verified Dalton stops, lodging, food, and emergency contacts — and explains why an Iridium sat phone belongs in the cab before you leave cell coverage.
Fairbanks → Fox → Livengood → Deadhorse → Arctic Ocean
Elliott approach + 414 mi Dalton
~240 mi Coldfoot → Deadhorse with no services
Limited / no cell on long stretches
No cell? Still call home.
Much of the Dalton has little or no mobile service. Rent an Iridium sat phone in Fairbanks — pickup at our shop or free delivery to local hotels.
Interactive map
Elliott approach + Dalton corridor — Fox to the Arctic Ocean
The map opens at Fox (Elliott Highway start) and frames the drive north to the Arctic Ocean at Prudhoe Bay / Deadhorse. Filter by category. Only verified places are plotted — we leave gaps rather than invent businesses. Elliott mileposts are marked E; Dalton mileposts follow BLM / Milepost convention from the Livengood junction (MP 0).
Seasonal — check before you travel. Many places along the Elliott and Dalton (campgrounds, cafes, visitor centers, lodges, and the Arctic Ocean shuttle) are summer-only or cut hours outside peak season. Confirm open dates, fuel, and lodging before you leave Fairbanks.
poi
Fox — Elliott Highway start
Junction of the Steese and Elliott Highways ~11 mi north of Fairbanks. From here the Elliott (AK-2) runs northwest toward Livengood, where the Dalton Highway begins.
Source / details →lodgingservices
Northern-Moosed RV Park
Full-hookup RV / tent camping just past the Fox weigh station on the Elliott — farthest-north full-service campground before the Dalton. Seasonal (typically mid-May–September); confirm dates.
Source / details →servicesfood
Hilltop / Sourdough Fuels (Fox)
Gas/diesel truck stop at 3711 Elliott Hwy in Fox — convenience store, restaurant, propane, showers, RV parking. Useful last full fuel stop before long stretches north. Confirm hours before travel.
Source / details →services
Olnes Pond Campground
Alaska State Parks campground on the Elliott near Olnes Pond — vault toilets, pond access. Seasonal; check Alaska State Parks before travel.
Source / details →services
Whitefish Campground & Boat Launch
State Parks campground on the Chatanika River (Lower Chatanika SRA) along the Elliott — vault toilets, boat launch. Seasonal; verify open dates.
Source / details →poi
Livengood — Dalton Highway start
Junction with the Elliott Highway (~73 mi from Fox / ~84 mi north of Fairbanks). Start of AK-11 / Dalton Highway after the Fairbanks → Elliott → Fox approach.
Source / details →poi
Hess Creek Overlook
Pullout overlooking Hess Creek toward the Yukon.
Source / details →poi
Yukon River Bridge
One of only a few vehicle bridges across the Yukon. Historic transportation corridor.
Source / details →lodgingfoodservices
Yukon River Camp
Gas/diesel, lodging, gifts, and seasonal dining (Burger House / cafe). Call ahead for winter kitchen hours.
Source / details →services
Five Mile Campground (BLM)
BLM campground near artesian well and public dump station. Seasonal, first-come.
Source / details →poi
Finger Mountain Wayside
Alpine tundra, granite tors, half-mile interpretive trail. Strong winds common.
Source / details →poi
Arctic Circle Wayside
Famous Arctic Circle sign and viewing deck. Photo stop for most travelers.
Source / details →services
Arctic Circle Campground (BLM)
BLM campground above the wayside. No water. Seasonal.
Source / details →poi
Gobblers Knob
Views of the Brooks Range; popular midnight-sun viewpoint near solstice.
Source / details →poi
Grayling Lake Wayside
Glacial U-shaped valley and lake; day-use rest area.
Source / details →servicespoi
Arctic Interagency Visitor Center
BLM / USFWS / NPS visitor center in Coldfoot. Maps, exhibits, bookstore. Open late May–early Sept (hours vary).
Source / details →lodgingfoodservices
Coldfoot Camp
Year-round lodging, Truckers’ Cafe, 24/7 gas & diesel, camping/RV hookups, gifts. Last full services for ~240 mi north.
Source / details →services
Marion Creek Campground (BLM)
Developed BLM campground (~27 sites). Seasonal.
Source / details →poi
Wiseman
Historic gold-rush village ~3 mi west of the highway. Private property — stay on roads.
Source / details →lodging
Arctic Getaway B&B
Cabin lodging in Wiseman; breakfast included. Reserve ahead.
Source / details →lodging
Boreal Lodge
Rooms and cabins near Wiseman Creek.
Source / details →poi
Sukakpak Mountain
Dramatic limestone peak (~4,459 ft) with palsas at the base.
Source / details →poi
Farthest North Spruce
Last spruce tree / boreal forest transition interpretive wayside.
Source / details →poi
Chandalar Shelf
High plateau south of Atigun Pass in the Brooks Range.
Source / details →poi
Atigun Pass
Highest year-round maintained highway pass in Alaska (~4,739 ft). Continental Divide; avalanche country in winter.
Source / details →poi
Galbraith Lake
Glacial lake with Brooks Range views. Primitive BLM camping nearby.
Source / details →services
Galbraith Lake Campground (BLM)
Primitive public campground west of the highway. Limited facilities.
Source / details →poi
Toolik Field Station
UAF / NSF arctic research station. Not public lodging — research facility.
Source / details →poi
Happy Valley
Former pipeline construction camp area; limited camping nearby. No services.
Source / details →poi
Sag River Overlook
Overlook of the Sagavanirktok River on the North Slope.
Source / details →poi
Deadhorse / Prudhoe Bay
End of the public Dalton Highway. Industrial oilfield support camp. Arctic Ocean access by authorized tour or shuttle only — see Arctic Ocean marker / Deadhorse Camp shuttle.
Source / details →lodgingfoodservices
Deadhorse Camp
Tourist-oriented lodging, guest cafe, gifts, Arctic Ocean shuttles (seasonal; reserve 24+ hrs ahead with ID). Fuel available in Deadhorse area.
Source / details →lodgingfood
Aurora Hotel
Large hotel in Prudhoe Bay with dining room and espresso. Reservations typically confirmed ~10 days out.
Source / details →lodgingfood
Prudhoe Bay Hotel
Worker-oriented lodging near the airport; visitors sometimes accommodated. Call ahead.
Source / details →poi
Arctic Ocean — Prudhoe Bay (tour access)
Public road ends at Deadhorse; Arctic Ocean / oilfield access is by authorized tour or shuttle only. Book Deadhorse Camp’s Arctic Ocean Shuttle (seasonal; reserve 24+ hrs ahead with ID).
Source / details →Gaps we did not invent: There is no full-service town between Coldfoot and Deadhorse (~240 miles). Public tire/mechanic shops are not clearly advertised at Coldfoot Camp (carry spares). Toolik Field Station is research-only. Deadhorse dining is mostly hotel/camp guest meals. Arctic Ocean access requires an authorized tour or shuttle.
End of the road: Arctic Ocean tour
The public Dalton ends at Deadhorse / Prudhoe Bay. To reach the Arctic Ocean shore you need an authorized shuttle or guided tour (ID required; seasonal). Deadhorse Camp runs the Arctic Ocean Shuttle — reserve at least 24 hours ahead.
Safety
Emergency contacts on the Dalton
There are no public emergency medical facilities along the highway. Help can take many hours. Carry a CB (Channel 19), extra fuel, spare tires, food, water, and a way to call out when cell service fails.
911 caveat: Dial 911 only where you have cellular service. Large stretches of the Dalton have little or no cell coverage (AT&T/GCI pockets near Coldfoot and Galbraith per BLM). A sat phone or inReach can reach help when your phone cannot.
Alaska State Troopers
- Rural Alaska (toll-free): 800-811-0911
- Fairbanks / Interior dispatch: 907-451-5100
- CB Channel 19: Ask Alyeska Pipeline or Alaska DOT facilities to relay a message to the Troopers.
Other public contacts
- Wildfire reporting — Alaska Fire Service: 800-237-3633
- BLM Central Yukon Field Office (Dalton corridor): 907-474-2200 · toll-free 800-437-7021
- Road conditions: 511.alaska.gov or dial 511 in Alaska
- Alaska DOT&PF Dalton page: dot.alaska.gov/highways/dalton
- Fish & wildlife violations: 907-451-5100 · Safeguard tip line 800-478-3377
Sources: BLM Dalton Highway Visitor Guide (2024); Alaska DPS Contact; DOT Help Along the Way. Numbers are public agency contacts — verify before travel.
Rent a sat phone before you leave Fairbanks
Voice + messaging on the Iridium network. Extra batteries and cases included. Weekly rates from $85.
Ice Road Truckers
Clips & history of the Haul Road
Ice Road Truckers (History Channel, 2007–2017, returned 2025) made the Dalton famous. Seasons 3–6 featured Alaska’s Haul Road — snow-covered gravel rather than lake ice, but just as unforgiving. Here are verified clips and background reading.
Ice Road Truckers: Danger on the Dalton · History (YouTube)
Ice Road Truckers: The Dalton Challenge · History (YouTube)
Ice Road Truckers — official History page
Show hub, seasons, and episode guides on History.com
Season 4 episode list (Dalton-heavy)
Includes “Blood on the Dalton,” “Monster Storm Over Atigun,” “New King of the Dalton”
Ice Road Truckers — Wikipedia overview
Production history; notes that seasons 3–6 featured the Dalton Highway
Further reading
Travel articles & official guides
Start with the BLM visitor guide before any trip. These are reputable, publicly available sources.
Dalton Highway — Bureau of Land Management
BLM · Official corridor overview, campgrounds, contacts
The Dalton Highway Visitor Guide (PDF, 2024)
BLM · Essential mile-by-mile, services, emergency numbers
Dalton Highway — Alaska DOT&PF
Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Guide to the Dalton Highway
Alaska.org · Points of interest from Livengood to Deadhorse
Elliott Highway — Fox to Manley
Alaska.org · Approach from Fairbanks / Fox toward the Dalton junction
Arctic Ocean Shuttle — Deadhorse Camp
Authorized seasonal shuttle from Deadhorse to the Arctic Ocean shore
Insider’s Tips for Exploring the Dalton Highway
Travel Alaska · Practical Arctic road-trip advice
Dalton Highway route guide
The Milepost · Classic mile-by-mile Alaska highway guide
Driving Alaska’s Dalton Highway
The New York Times · Alan Feuer travel feature (2015)
Disconnect on Alaska’s Dalton Highway
NBC News · Photo slideshow of the corridor
Alaska 511 — road conditions
Alaska DOT&PF · Cameras, incidents, and alerts
Heading up the Dalton? Take a sat phone.
Reserve Iridium sat phones, Garmin inReach, or Starlink Mini in Fairbanks. We reply within 24 hours — pickup by appointment or free delivery to local hotels.