Major city · United States
Deadhorse
Go only if you are driving the Dalton Highway or flying to the Arctic coast: 1 night, no more. There is no town life, no alcohol and no ocean access.
Deadhorse is an oil-field service camp at Mile 414 of the Dalton Highway, 16 km from the Arctic Ocean, with a permanent population of about 25 and 2,000–3,000 rotating workers. Everything is prefabricated, everything is barged or trucked in, and prices reflect that. You come for the end-of-the-road feeling, the pipeline and the tundra, not for a town. One night is enough; two only if weather traps you.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Aug (midnight sun, road open)
- avoid Nov–Mar (extreme cold, lethal exposure risk)
- Airport
- SCC
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Deadhorse911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Alaska State Troopers (non-emergency)907-269-5511
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Deadhorse, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyPolar climate, no alcohol, bears and trucks.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 907-269-5511 Alaska State Troopers (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSCC Deadhorse Airport (Year-round Alaska Airlines flights from Anchorage, Fairbanks and Utqiaġvik; some seats are cargo-configured.
- Getting aroundThe camp is small but has no sidewalks and heavy oil-field trucks move constantly.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–7
- Street or quick mealGeneral-store snack or drink$3–8
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$20–40
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$300
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomUS$260
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomUS$400
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$120 · Mid US$200 · High US$320
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SCC Deadhorse Airport (Year-round Alaska Airlines flights from Anchorage, Fairbanks and Utqiaġvik; some seats are cargo-configured. Book early — check schedules.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−22°C (−8°F)−8°F (−22°C)
Feb
Avoid
−22°C (−8°F)−8°F (−22°C)
Mar
Avoid
−21°C (−6°F)−6°F (−21°C)
Apr
not flagged
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
May
not flagged
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Jun
Best
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Jul
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Aug
Best
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Sep
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Oct
not flagged
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Nov
Avoid
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
Dec
Avoid
−19°C (−2°F)−2°F (−19°C)
Best: Jun–Aug. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)), coolest Jan (−30°C (−22°F)−22°F (−30°C) low), wettest Aug (4 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Deadhorse: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−22°C (−8°F)−8°F (−22°C)
−30°C (−22°F)−22°F (−30°C)
1 rd
Feb
−22°C (−8°F)−8°F (−22°C)
−30°C (−22°F)−22°F (−30°C)
1 rd
Mar
−21°C (−6°F)−6°F (−21°C)
−29°C (−20°F)−20°F (−29°C)
1 rd
Apr
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
−20°C (−4°F)−4°F (−20°C)
1 rd
May
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
1 rd
Jun
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
2 rd
Jul
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
3 rd
Aug
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
4 rd
Sep
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
2 rd
Oct
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
1 rd
Nov
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
−21°C (−6°F)−6°F (−21°C)
1 rd
Dec
−19°C (−2°F)−2°F (−19°C)
−27°C (−17°F)−17°F (−27°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The camp is small but has no sidewalks and heavy oil-field trucks move constantly. Walking works in summer with high-visibility clothing and constant attention; in winter drive. A rental or company vehicle is the practical option most of the year.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Arctic Ocean viewpoint / Prudhoe Bay tours
cautionDoor to door: 2–4 h
Guided tour or oil-field escort by vehicle from Deadhorse
Access needs permission, photo ID and can be refused; not all tours reach the water.
Coldfoot
overnightDoor to door: About 6–8 h
Drive south on the Dalton Highway
386 km (240 mi) with no services; sleep there, don't turn around.240 mi (386 km) with no services; sleep there, don't turn around.
Wiseman
overnightDoor to door: About 7–9 h
Drive the Dalton south past Coldfoot
A real village with a handful of cabins; pair with Coldfoot.
Utqiaġvik
goDoor to door: About 1 h flight
Alaska Airlines from Deadhorse Airport
The other Arctic Alaska base; flights are limited, book ahead.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Airport and Spine Road cluster
Arctic Oilfield Hotel and the general store; walkable to the terminal, no sidewalks.
Lake Colleen Road
The Aurora Hotel and Prudhoe Bay Motel; quieter, still a short drive from everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $120–180 excl. bed
- Mid
- $180–260 excl. bed
- High
- $260+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$260 | US$260 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$200 | US$400 |
| Airport transfer, both ways2 × US$40 · check | US$80 |
| Arctic Ocean / Prudhoe Bay tour2 × US$250 · check | US$500 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$25 | US$50 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$194 |
| Trip total≈ US$742 per person per day, bed included | US$1,484 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and the Dalton drive excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–7 |
| Hot meal at a hotel restaurant | $20–35 |
| Gallon of fuelcheck | $6–9 |
| General-store snack or drink | $3–8 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $20–40 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Alcohol is banned: the North Slope Borough is dry and oil-field areas forbid it.
- No services for 386 km (240 mi) south until Coldfoot — fuel up before leaving.No services for 240 mi (386 km) south until Coldfoot — fuel up before leaving.
- Polar bears appear on the coast mainly Aug–Sep and can show up any time; scan before leaving any building.
- Grizzly bears inland: never leave food or food containers outside.
- Winter wind chill has reached about −74 °C (−101 °F); exposure is lethal within minutes.Winter wind chill has reached about −101 °F (−74 °C); exposure is lethal within minutes.
- Prudhoe Bay itself needs oil-field permission, photo ID and can be refused — most tours never reach the water.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Alaska State Troopers (non-emergency)
- 907-269-5511
Pocket card
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DeadhorseDeadhorse
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Alaska State Troopers (non-emergency)907-269-5511
Embassy
No embassies or consulates in Deadhorse; nearest consular services are in Anchorage.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Alaska Airlines Anchorage → Deadhorse: about $400–700 one way, 3.5 h (check)
- Alaska Airlines Fairbanks → Deadhorse: about $300–500 one way, 2 h (check)
- Airport → hotel in Deadhorse: $15–30 by taxi or shuttle (check)
Say or show
- Where is the general store? — Where is the general store?
- Is the road open? — Is the road open?
- I need help — I need help
Alcohol is not sold anywhere in Deadhorse.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Deadhorse. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Aug (midnight sun, road open) · avoid Nov–Mar (extreme cold, lethal exposure risk) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for SCC: flight banks, taxi and shuttle fallback, overnight rung.
- Two walking clusters with rescue anchors: airport/Spine Road and Lake Colleen Road.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (general store, fuel stations, airport) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and polar-bear arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.