Arctic Circle Campground

It's hard to accurately review the experience of reaching the Arctic Circle because the journey will be different for everyone. The "campground" itself is what gets my 3 stars, but that too will be relative. Campsites are off-shoots of the main parking lot which got at least a visitor an hour. Most people took a photo at the sign, walked around the platform, realized that nature doesn't know humans have drawn a line through there, and the visitors left feeling a sense of accomplishment that comes with hours driving on a rollercoaster to a destination with only a picnic table and pit toilet for amenities. To me, it was bliss, but I'm a weirdo who likes to go far off the beaten path. The Dalton Highway is no joke -- it's a path that likes to beat you. If you go to the "campground," make sure you are totally self-sufficient and wildlife savvy. Dress in layers and carry personal protection and a spare tire (& know how to use both.) Don't forget to leave a flight plan and time frame with someone you trust. This area of Alaska is beautiful, rugged, and remote, but traffic at all hours because the lack of night darkness makes clock-bound courtesy a foreign language. Excellent bucket list check mark. So much more to do there than walk around in a circle, if people are prepared to hike with maps, water, and gear. I wish the campground was a little more off the beaten path too. But it is well cared for and kept up; trees gave a little more privacy and shade than was provided by the mosquitoes, but they tried hard to win that competition. Camping experience: 3 Stars. Bragging rights and beauty: 5 Stars.