Galbraith Lake Campground

The Brooks Range is largely behind you once you reach the turnoff for the undeveloped Galbraith Lake Campground at Mile 275. From here on it's all rolling tundra, where hiking and camping options are limitless, wildflowers and berries grow in profusion, and wildlife is far easier to spot. Especially at the beginning and end of summer, migrating waterbirds throng roadside ponds, and caribou - members of the 31,000-head Central Arctic herd - often graze nearby.

Also, keep an eye out for weird polar phenomena such as pingos - protuberant hills with a frozen center - and ice-wedge polygons, which shape the tundra into bizarre geometric patterns.