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GordonThree's avatar
GordonThree
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014

Dalton Hwy, gravel lots closed?

Reading my 2014 Milepost, the section for the Dalton Hwy / Haul Road has a quick blurb that the gravel lots used for pipeline construction have all been closed off.

Are there still plenty of places to pull off, or is the company that maintains the Dalton trying to make it even less friendly to tourists?

I know there are shuttles available etc, but I'm less interested in reaching the end than I am about making the drive.

Has anyone driven the road RECENTLY... is it true all the gravel lots are closed off?
  • There were numerous places when we drove to Deadhorse in 2013. Also, there are 2 fee campgrounds inroute; the one just past the Artic Circle sign is a state campground, and then Marion, a BLM campground 5 miles north of Coldfoot.

    On 2 trips in the motorhome we have parked at the pullout about 2 miles after you enter the Dalton (is a favorite stop for truckers and is huge), at mile marker 60, and at Marion.

    We took the motorhome as far as Marion and parked it there in 2005 and 2013. In 2009 we left the motorhome in Fairbanks and drove the pickup.

    On the first trip we thought that Deadhorse was the destination, but discovered the real destination was the drive.

    In 2009 and 2013 we saw Musk Oxen below Franklin Bluff. Franklin Bluff is about 30 miles south of Deadhorse.

    If you have a 4-wheel drive, and the herd is there, you can drive out to them. We got to within a 100 feet of them and got some great pictures.

    You can see my trip logs in the website listed in my signature.

    Go and enjoy. We are looking forward to our next trip in 2017.