Major city · United States
Coldfoot
Stop one night at Coldfoot only if you are driving the Dalton Highway north; as a destination on its own, skip it and fly to Fairbanks or Deadhorse instead.
Coldfoot is a settlement of about 10 people on the Dalton Highway, 425 km south of Deadhorse and the last place with fuel, food and beds before that empty stretch. There is no sightseeing here: you sleep, eat, refuel and drive on. Almost everyone arrives by road or on a fly-in/drive-out tour from Fairbanks.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Aug (road open, visitor center staffed, long daylight)
- avoid Oct–Apr (deep cold, ice road conditions, limited services)
- Airport
- CXF
- 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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
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 Coldfoot911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Alaska State Troopers (non-emergency)907-451-5100
- Arctic Interagency Visitor Center (summer)907-678-5209
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 Coldfoot, 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
- SafetyThe main risks are the road and the distance: no services for 425 km (264 mi) north, extreme cold in winter, and long waits if you break down.The main risks are the road and the distance: no services for 264 mi (425 km) north, extreme cold in winter, and long waits if you break down.
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 · 907-451-5100 Alaska State Troopers (non-emergency) · 907-678-5209 Arctic Interagency Visitor Center (summer)
- 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.
- AirportCXF Coldfoot Airport (gravel airstrip, turboprop only) (No scheduled public service; arrivals are usually part of an organized tour.
- Getting aroundThe settlement is tiny — roughly 1 km (0.6 mi) north–south and 2 km (1.2 mi) east–west — so you walk everywhere.The settlement is tiny — roughly 0.6 mi (1 km) north–south and 1.2 mi (2 km) east–west — so you walk everywhere.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (free refills)$2
- Budget bedRV site (hookup or dry), a night, per roomUS$15
- Mid-range bedRV site (hookup or dry), a night, per roomUS$35
- High-end bedRV site (hookup or dry), a night, per roomUS$45
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$150 · High US$300
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
- CXF Coldfoot Airport (gravel airstrip, turboprop only) (No scheduled public service; arrivals are usually part of an organized tour. Check with operators.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−21°C (−6°F)−6°F (−21°C)
Feb
Avoid
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
Mar
Avoid
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
Apr
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
May
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Sep
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Oct
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Nov
Avoid
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
Dec
Avoid
−19°C (−2°F)−2°F (−19°C)
Best: Jun–Aug. Avoid: Oct–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jan (−31°C (−24°F)−24°F (−31°C) low), wettest Aug (11 rain days), driest Apr (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Coldfoot: 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
−21°C (−6°F)−6°F (−21°C)
−31°C (−24°F)−24°F (−31°C)
6 rd
Feb
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
−28°C (−18°F)−18°F (−28°C)
5 rd
Mar
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
−22°C (−8°F)−8°F (−22°C)
5 rd
Apr
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
4 rd
May
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Aug
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Sep
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Oct
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
8 rd
Nov
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
−23°C (−9°F)−9°F (−23°C)
7 rd
Dec
−19°C (−2°F)−2°F (−19°C)
−29°C (−20°F)−20°F (−29°C)
6 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 settlement is tiny — roughly 1 km north–south and 2 km east–west — so you walk everywhere. In winter you may need snowshoes. A car is only useful for continuing along the Dalton Highway.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Wiseman
goDoor to door: About 30 min each way
Drive north on the Dalton Highway, about 20 km (12 mi)Drive north on the Dalton Highway, about 12 mi (20 km)
Small historic mining settlement; a good short side trip from Coldfoot.
Door to door: 6–8 h
Drive north on the Dalton Highway, about 425 km (264 mi) with no servicesDrive north on the Dalton Highway, about 264 mi (425 km) with no services
Only with a full tank and supplies; sleep there before returning.
Door to door: 6–7 h
Drive south on the Dalton Highway, about 400 km (249 mi)Drive south on the Dalton Highway, about 249 mi (400 km)
The nearest full-service city; most trips start or end here.
Gates of the Arctic National Park
cautionDoor to door: Varies by operator
No road access; air taxi or guided trip from Coldfoot or Bettles
Requires a licensed operator and advance booking; not a casual day trip.
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.
Slate Creek Inn (Coldfoot Camp)
The only hotel: about 50 rooms, some with private bath, some shared. Book ahead in summer — bus tours fill it. RV hookups and tent sites on site.
Wiseman (about 20 km north)
A few small lodges and cabins; quieter base if Coldfoot is full. Check availability directly.
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 (camping or RV dry site, self-catering)
- $40–90 excl. bed
- Mid (room at the inn, meals on site)
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High (private room, tours, fuel-heavy driving)
- $250+
Trip budget
| Room at Slate Creek Inn1 × 1 night × US$219 | US$219 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150 | US$300 |
| Fuel, per gallon (remote premium)2 × US$6 · check | US$12 |
| Meal at the truck-stop kitchen2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Shower and laundry for non-guests2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$89 |
| Trip total≈ US$340 per person per day, bed included | US$680 |
Summer rates higher.
2026 estimate in US dollars; fuel and tour costs vary widely. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (free refills) | $2 |
| Entree at the kitchen | $6–13 |
| Tent site per night | $15 |
| RV hookup per night | $35 |
| Towing on the Dalton Highway | about $5 per mile |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- There are no services for 425 km (264 mi) north of Coldfoot to Deadhorse: leave with a full tank, food and water.There are no services for 264 mi (425 km) north of Coldfoot to Deadhorse: leave with a full tank, food and water.
- Fuel, food and rooms here cost far more than in Fairbanks — this is a remote supply point, not a bargain.
- Towing on the Dalton runs about $5 per mile and parts must come from Fairbanks: drive slowly on gravel and watch for truck traffic.
- Cell coverage is patchy to absent; do not rely on a phone for emergencies.
- Winter travel means extreme cold and ice; check road conditions before leaving Fairbanks.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Alaska State Troopers (non-emergency)
- 907-451-5100
- Arctic Interagency Visitor Center (summer)
- 907-678-5209
Pocket card
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ColdfootColdfoot
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Alaska State Troopers (non-emergency)907-451-5100
- Arctic Interagency Visitor Center (summer)907-678-5209
Embassy
No embassies in Coldfoot; the nearest consulates are in Anchorage. US travellers: contact local authorities via 911.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fuel at Coldfoot: premium price, fill up before the 425 km (264 mi) gap north (check)premium price, fill up before the 264 mi (425 km) gap north (check)
- Towing on the Dalton: about $5 per mile
Say or show
- Where is the gas station? — Where is the gas station?
- I need a tow — I need a tow
- Is there a room available? — Is there a room available?
- How far to the next services? — How far to the next services?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- I need help — I need help
Services are limited and seasonal; confirm hours and availability before you arrive.
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 Coldfoot. 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 (road open, visitor center staffed, long daylight) · avoid Oct–Apr (deep cold, ice road conditions, limited services) · 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
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Confirm current fuel, food and lodging hours before leaving Fairbanks.
- Check Dalton Highway conditions and construction closures with the Alaska Department of Transportation.
- Verify fly-in/drive-out tour availability and prices with operators directly.
- Confirm whether the Arctic Interagency Visitor Center is open for your dates.
Sources
Ask about Coldfoot
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