River at the Gates of the Arctic

The John River flows from the Anaktuvuk Pass in Brooks Range in Alaska, near The Gates of the Arctic National Park. The nearby valley is a migration route for the Arctic herd of caribou. The river runs through a variety of areas over its 52 mile length including a variety of ecosystems and some of the most beautiful scenic territory in Alaska. The scenery is one of the major things that attracts people to the area. There are numerous types of vegetation, as well as several cliffs, rocks, and outcroppings. Recreation includes whitewater rafting with Class II and Class III rapids. There are lower areas that are for floating and great for families or those who are just getting started with rafting. You can hike or backpack along the river and there are plenty of places along the hike to stop and enjoy the scenery. There are numerous small animals in the area, as well as some larger mammals, including the caribou. It is also a habitat for the William's milk vetch. Brooks Range, the area surrounding the lake, is filled with chert. This is a fine-grained rock that was used in prehistoric times to create knives, scrapers, and points of spears.