Coldfoot
Census-designated place in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska
Coldfoot is an unincorporated community (census-designated place) in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, with 34 residents (2020 Census). It sits at 1,014 ft (309 m) above sea level. The nearest town is Wiseman, 15.4 miles N.
- 34residents (2020 Census)
- 1,014 ftelevation · 309 m
- 35.8 sq miland area · 92.7 km²
- 1 / sq mipopulation density
- 99701ZIP code
About Coldfoot
Coldfoot is a census-designated place (CDP) in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area in the U.S. state of Alaska. The population was 34 at the 2020 census. It is said that the name was derived from travelers getting "cold feet" about making the 240-some-mile journey north to Deadhorse.
Coldfoot primarily serves as a truck stop on the Dalton Highway from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay. North of Coldfoot, there are no services for 240 miles (400 km), until Deadhorse. It has a restaurant and a small number of overnight accommodations (converted pipeline construction camp quarters). Bus tours along the highway typically take two days, with passengers spending the night in Coldfoot. The BLM, USFWS, and NPS jointly staff a small visitor center during the summer. The Coldfoot truck stop was founded by Iditarod champion Dick Mackey, who started his operation by selling hamburgers out of a converted school bus. Truckers helped build the existing truck stop and cafe. The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has a camp (maintenance station) in Coldfoot.
The town was originally a mining camp named Slate Creek, and around 1900 got its present name when prospectors going up the nearby Middle Fork Koyukuk River would get "cold feet" and turn around. In 1902, Coldfoot had two roadhouses, two stores, seven saloons, and a gambling house. A post office operated from 1902 to 1912, then reopened in 1984.
Coldfoot Airport, on the west side of the Dalton Highway, consists of a 4,000 foot (1,200 m) gravel strip, used for air taxi and general aviation.
Coldfoot has been featured on Ice Road Truckers, a Canadian reality television series airing on the History Channel. The truck stop was first seen during the show's third season.
Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Open in Google Maps ›Coldfoot, AK population
Coldfoot had 34 residents in the 2020 Census.
| 2020 Census | 34 |
|---|---|
| Density | 1 per sq mi (0 per km²) |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.
Coldfoot at a glance
| State | Alaska (AK) |
|---|---|
| County | Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area |
| Type | Census-designated place |
| Population | 34 (2020) |
| Land area | 35.80 sq mi (92.7 km²) |
| Water area | 0.07 sq mi (0.19 km²) |
| Elevation | 1,014 ft (309 m) |
| Coordinates | 67.2607° N, 150.0699° W |
| ZIP code | 99701 |
| Census code (GEOID) | 0216630 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.
Towns near Coldfoot
Straight-line distance between town centers.
Frequently asked questions about Coldfoot
What county is Coldfoot in?
Coldfoot is in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska.
What is the population of Coldfoot, AK?
34 people lived in Coldfoot at the 2020 Census.
What is the ZIP code of Coldfoot, AK?
The ZIP code of Coldfoot is 99701.
What is the elevation of Coldfoot?
1,014 feet (309 m) above sea level.
What towns are near Coldfoot?
Wiseman (15.4 mi), Evansville (41.9 mi).
Last updated: