U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Camping in Alaska

When summer comes -  most Alaskans move outdoors. Camping is a popular summer pastime for residents and visitors alike. You can camp on most BLM lands for up to 2 weeks (14 days) at a time. You can not reserve campsites, so plan to arrive early. All camping is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Our campgrounds have the facilities that recreationists have come to expect. However, features are not the same in each location. Here are a few guidelines on what we provide:

• Expect: Picnic tables, Fire pits, Litter barrels, Vault toilets
• Don't Expect: Showers, Washers/dryers, Hot water, Dumping stations

Please bring your own firewood.

Treat all streams, lakes, and ponds as if they contain Giardia - a parasite that produces nausea, severe stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Always boil or chemically treat water from streams or lakes before drinking.

Plan your travel so that you can stop at one of the communities along the road system for services not provided.

Fishing

Alaska manages over 100,000 miles of stream and 2.5 million acres of lakes located on public land. These waters are becoming increasingly important to recreation, commercial fishing, and subsistence users. The waters host many fish species vital for healthy ecosystems. The BLM’s goal is to conserve fish populations and habitat for current and future generations, while allowing continued public use and enjoyment of this resource.

Many fish species inhabiting BLM-managed waters are highly valued by anglers. While Chinook, coho, and sockeye salmon are favorites because of their size, fighting ability, flavor, and beauty; rainbow trout, lake trout, Arctic char, northern pike, Dolly Varden, and Arctic grayling also provide many hours of angling pleasure.

Sport fishing is regulated by the State of Alaska.  Anyone older than 16 will need to obtain an Alaska fishing license to sport fish in Alaska waters. You can get more information by visiting the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website or contacting them for a copy of the current Alaska Sport Fishing regulations. 

• BLM Alaska Freshwater Fishing brochure
• Fishing Chart of most accessible waterways

River Floating

Clear, pristine waters and unparalleled scenery make Alaskan waters some of the best boating, rafting, kayaking, and canoeing adventures you can find. Whether you want a calm Class I river float or the exciting Class III whitewater rapids adventure; to go for a single day or on one of the longest road-to-road floats in North America; or something inbetween -- there is a river for you! These rivers give you access to a world of outdoor adventure.

BLM manages six Wild and Scenic Rivers in Alaska that offer a wide variety of experiences:

• Birch Creek National Wild River
• Beaver Creek National Wild River
• Delta National Wild and Scenic River
• Fortymile National Wild and Scenic River
• Gulkana National Wild River
• Unalakleet National Wild River

Alaska waters are very cold. If you fall in, be aware of the signs of hypothermia. Be prepared for emergencies.  Realize that drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death in Alaska. Most drownings are due to capsizing or falling overboard into cold water, where the boater was not wearing a life jacket, and most had not taken a single boating safety course.

Wear Your Life Jacket!

Hunting in Alaska

Alaska  provides numerous hunting possibilities found in few other locations in the world. It is true we have huge moose and that vast caribou herds dominate the landscape in some areas and seasons. Numerous mountain ranges support populations of Dall sheep and mountain goats, and Sitka black-tailed deer thrive in the coastal forests. Musk ox, bear, and wolves are also big game possibilities. If bird hunting is more to your liking we have that too.

BLM managed public lands are generally open (unless specifically closed) to hunting under State of Alaska Fish and Game laws.  All hunters need an Alaska hunting license to hunt within the State of Alaska.

Not to be confused with recreational, also known as sport hunting, Alaska also has the Federal Subsistence Management Program, which also includes subsistence hunting. Learn more about this program and Game Management Unit 13 on our Subsistence web page or by contacting the Glennallen Field Office.

Off-Highway Vehicles 

Most of the BLM managed lands in Alaska are remote and have little or no road access. With the increasing use of all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and snowmachines, off-highway vehicles (OHVs) have opened up the Alaska backcountry. To protect resources and wetlands from damage, most areas limit OHV activities, so contact a local BLM office for information on where to ride.

Please respect private property rights when using 17b easements to cross Native owned lands.  Stay on the easements and remember that you can not hunt or fish on Native lands without permission. 

Keep in mind that you are responsible for knowing, understanding, and complying with all OHV regulations. Please obey all signs regarding the management of public lands and routes.

When riding the trails, please follow a few simple guidelines:

• Stay on the trail to reduce damage to the surrounding area and resources. 
• Share the trail with other trail users by respecting other types of use and modes of travel, such as hikers and mountain bikers.
• Respect private property by staying on the trail easement when crossing private lands.

Remember to wear a helmet! 

Alaska Scenic Driving Tours

Driving in Alaska can be an adventure with rewarding scenery, unexpected wildlife sightings, and the opportunity to see new country.  The best time to take a scenic drive is May-October when temperatures are warmer and driving conditions are generally favorable.

BLM Alaska manages a number of campgrounds accessible from Alaska's scenic highways. You can find highway brochures at BLM field offices, and online.

Alaska has about 15,000 miles of roads, but less than 5,000 miles are paved. Be prepared when driving Alaska's highways and backcountry roads. Make sure you have a spare tire and a map, and check with BLM offices, Department of Transportation, or Alaska State Troopers along the way for road closures.

• Dalton Highway Brochure
• Dalton Highway Visitor Guide
• Richardson Highway Brochure
• Denali Highway Brochure
• Steese/Elliott Highway Brochure
• Taylor Highway Brochure

Recreational Gold Panning and Rockhounding

There is still gold in them thar hills! The lure of gold is what brought the miners to Alaska over 100 years ago and is still attracting folks searching for that elusive nugget today. Gold panning and prospecting, if not lucrative can be a fun outdoor entertainment for almost every age.

As you drive through Alaska, you may notice many signs of past mining activities - tailing piles, abandoned dredges and equipment, scars from hydraulic mining, and old mining camps.  Even simple hand tools can scar and destroy resources.  Before you take your pan in hand, consider the impacts recreational gold panning can have:

• Sluicing gravels can cause silt to wash into the streams and destroy fish spawning beds. Use back eddies and side pools to reduce the amount of dirt and silt entering the main stream channel.
• Do not dig into or near bridge abutments.
• Work only in the stream channels or on unvegetated gravel bars to protect bank stability and prevent erosion.

It is important that you know who the land owner is when you plan your gold panning activity. Prospecting on BLM managed lands is limited to hand tools and light equipment, such as gold pans, rocker boxes, sluice boxes, or picks and shovels. Use of motorized equipment, such as backhoes, bulldozers and suction dredges, are not allowed without a permit. It is important that you know who the land owner is when you plan your gold panning activity. For more information on mining visit the BLM-Alaska Mining home page.

Northern Alaska

Panning is allowed on any federal stream segment along the Dalton Highway south of Atigun Pass (MP 244), with the following exceptions: no panning in the pipeline right-of-way (27 feet or 8.2 m on either side of the pipeline) and no panning on federal mining claims without permission. 

• Dalton Highway Mineral Collection brochure

Interior Alaska

The Nome Creek Valley offers a four-mile area set aside for recreational gold panning.  The Nome Creek valley turnoff is at milepost 57 on the Steese Highway, northeast of Fairbanks. There is also a public goldpanning area on Jack Wade Creek from one quarter mile(.4km) upstream of the Walker Fork Campground to the mining claims near mile post 85. Panning is not allowed on adjacent mining claims.

• Jack Wade Creek
• Nome Creek Valley 

South Central Alaska

There are many areas available for recreational gold panning just outside of Anchorage on the beautiful scenic Kenai Peninsula. 

• USDA Forest Service/BLM Gold Panning: The guide to recreational gold panning on the Kenai Peninsula booklet

Hiking

Trails provide access to public lands for a wide variety of activities, such as bird and wildlife watching, hiking, biking, horseback riding, skiing and dog mushing.   

While most motorized trails allow multiple-use recreational activities, some BLM trails are managed for hikers and other non-motorized trail users who like to get away from it all. 

• The 730-acre Campbell Tract offers an extensive non-motorized trail system in Anchorage that is used year-round by bikers, hikers, equestrians, and skiers.
• The 27-mile Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail begins along the Steese Highway and traverses a ridgeline between Twelvemile Summit and Eagle Summit. This non-motorized trail offers views stretching from the Alaska Range to the Yukon Flats. 
• The one-million-acre White Mountains National Recreation Area, north of Fairbanks, offers several non-motorized trails such as the 20-mile Summit Trail, the 5-mile Ski Loop Trail, and the 3-mile Table Top Mountain Trail.  In winter, this area has over 200 miles of multiple-use trails, including 12 public use cabins available by permit.
• Along the Denali Highway there are numerous hiking opportunities, such as the 10-mile Swede Lake Trail, the 6-mile Dickey Lake Trail, several Tangle Lakes foot trails, the 6.2-mile South Landmark Gap Trail, the 7.2-mile Osar Lake Trail, and the 4-mile Maclaren River Trail.
• The Edgerton Highway has two 17(b) easements that provide rewarding hiking experiences. The Tonsina River 17(b) easement (2 miles long) provides foot access to the lower Tonsina River. The Liberty Falls easement offers excellent but fairly steep hiking. It travels about one mile and provides excellent views of the Wrangell Mountains and the Copper River. 
• The south Richardson Highway offers a combination of 17(b) easements and hiking trails: Poplar Grove, Mile 141, June Lake, Gillespie Lake, and Fish Creek.

Mountain Biking

Many of our trails are multi-use and therefore opportunities for mountain biking are numerous! 

The White Mountains National Recreation Area allows mountain biking along its trails, but be prepared for a challenge. 

• White Mountains NRA Brochure

Campbell Tract

The Campbell Tract in Anchorage has 12 miles of outdoor recreation trails, and most are open to biking. Campbell Tract is a very easy introduction to riding in Anchorage. With a mix of relatively flat singletrack and doubletrack, it's also very family and beginner friendly. There are a number trails that make logical loops of any distance. Some of these popular trails connect to other trails managed by Anchorage Parks and Recreation.

• Campbell Tract Trail Map Brochure

Tangle Lakes Archaeological District

There are several designated trails with the Tangle Lakes Archaeological District that the BLM and the State of Alaska manage that are open to summer mountain biking. Trail access is via several mile posts along the Denali Highway. Contact the Glennallen Field office for more information.

• Tangle Lakes Archaeological District Brochure

Riding Horses in Alaska

What better way to see the Last Frontier than from the back of a horse, just like in the old days! Horseback riding is allowed on several trails managed by BLM Alaska.

For horseback riding information in the Glennallen area, please contact the Glennallen Field Office for specific trails and rules.

In the Anchorage area, the BLM Campbell Tract offers several trails for horseback riding. For trail maps and information, contact the Anchorage Field Office.

The White Mountains National Recreation Area is a great place for scenic horseback rides. To learn more, visit the White Mountains National Recreation Area website or contact the Fairbanks District Office.

Public Use Cabins

BLM manages several public use cabins throughout Alaska.   Few are located near roads, and most are accessible only during the winter.  Some cabins are available on a "first-come, first-served" basis, while others need to be reserved in advance. 

Most cabins are rustic with primitive amenities, such as wood stoves for heating, propane cookstoves and lanterns, and pit outhouses.  Users need to be prepared to "rough it."

There are 4 shelter cabins along the Iditarod National Historic Trail and 12 public use cabins in the White Mountains National Recreation Area. There are also free first-come first-serve trail shelters along the Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail.

• Iditarod National Historic Trail Visitor Guide
• Iditarod National Historic Trail Interactive Map
• White Mountains NRA Brochure

Contact the Anchorage Field Office or the Fairbanks District Office for more details on Public Use Cabins.

Winter Biking

With the invention of studded bike tires and the ever popular 'fat tire' bikes, winter biking is a growing recreation activity in Alaksa. And BLM has hundreds of miles of trails you can get outdoors in the winter and have fun on!

White Mountains National Recreation Area

With over 240 miles (386 km) of groomed trails, winter biking in the White Mountains NRA is limited only by your skill level, fitness and at times your gear. It also has 2 shelter cabins and 12 public use cabins you can reserve to create a multi-day trip. The White Mountains NRA is also host to an annual 100 mile winter bike race held in March. 

• White Mountains NRA brochure
• Rec.gov Winter biking spotlight on the White Mountains National Recreation Area 

Campbell Tract

The Campbell Tract in Anchorage has 12 miles of groomed trails in the winter, and most are open to winter biking. There's a few trails that are only for dog sledding, look for the signs. Some of these popular trails connect to other trails managed by Anchorage Parks and Recreation.

• Campbell Tract Trail Map

Iditarod National Historic Trail

If you want rustic adventure and a challenge, then biking the Idiatord Trail in the winter fits the bill. Over 1,500 miles of the historic winter trail system are open today for public use across state and federal lands. There are several public shelter cabins along the trail for you to plan you winter trip accordingly. The Iditarod National Historic Trail is also host to an annual 1000 mile and 350 mile winter ultra marathon (includes a winter biking category) held in February.

• Iditarod National Historic Trail Visitor Guide
• Iditarod National Historic Trail Interactive Map

Dog Sledding

Dog mushing is the traditional Alaska winter transportation.  With the advent of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and other sled dog races, dogsledding has become a popular activity throughout Alaska. Dogsledding, the practice of a musher guiding a team of dogs pulling a sled over ice and snow, can serve many purposes. Whether it’s a casual run along public recreational trails, racing against competitors, or hauling supplies, public lands have much to offer.

In Anchorage, the BLM’s Campbell Tract has more than 12 miles of multi-use trails available to dogsledding.

• Campbell Tract Trail Map Brochure

The residents of Fairbanks must travel about an hour to reach public land in the White Mountain National Recreation Area, which boasts more than 200 miles of groomed trails. Take a break and stay at any of the 12 public use cabins while mushing in the recreation area, but first make reservations and acquire a permit by calling 907-474-2251.

• White Mountains NRA Brochure

Iditarod National Historic Trail

If you want to get a taste of history the dog sledding on Idiatord Trail is quite the experience. Over 1,500 miles of the historic winter trail system are open today for public use across state and federal lands and the trails go from Seward all the way to Nome. There are several public shelter cabins along the trail for you to plan you winter trip accordingly. The Iditarod National Historic Trail is also host to the annual long-distance Iditarod Sled Dog Race and several smaller races.

• Iditarod National Historic Trail Visitor Guide
• Iditarod National Historic Trail Interactive Map

When looking to dogsled in the Glennallen area, it is best to call BLM’s Glennallen Field Office at 907-822-3217 for directions for trails and conditions. 

Dog sleds are allowed on most trails unless posted closed to dog sled use.  Trail closures are usually for safety reasons, such as open water, or to protect the trail base for another activity such as skiing. 

Cross-country Skiing

Alaska is known for its long, beautiful winters and excellent opportunities for skiing enthusiasts. While most BLM-managed trails allow motorized activities, some trails are managed for non-motorized activities in cluding skiing and ski-joring. 

The BLM Campbell Tract in Anchorage offers groomed non-motorized cross-country ski trails. Each winter the popular Tour of Anchorage cross country ski marathon crosses the Campbell Tract trail system to connect seamlessly with Municipality of Anchorage ski trails.

• Campbell Tract Trails Map Brochure

The White Mountains National Recreation Area offers the groomed, non-motorized 5-mile Ski Loop Trail. The White Mountains area includes almost one million acres of public lands with more than 200 miles of multiple use trails for winter enthusiasts to explore.

• White Mountains NRA Brochure

Ice Fishing

Just because the lakes and rivers freeze doesn’t mean you have to stop fishing. The best time for ice fishing is right after freezeup while the fish are still active. Once the ice builds to a safe thickness, anglers seek Dolly Varden, burbot, char, coho salmon, sheefish, whitefish and trout.

Before you take the whole family ice fishing, drill a test hole in the ice to check the thickness; 6 inches is a recommended minimum. Watch for overflows and be alert for rotting ice as the spring thaw progresses.

Take with you an auger or ice chisel, an ice skimmer, a tarp (for a windscreen), a heat source, and a safety rope. Also take extra clothes, boots and gloves.

The leading cause of death in Alaska is cold water near drowning. Know all you can about cold water safety and the signs of hypothermia before you fish. Learn the factors for survival.

Regulations require that you register with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game if you intend to leave a shelter standing on the ice overnight in the Tanana River drainage.  Anglers need a current fishing license in their possession. Other regulations apply.

Snowmobiling (Snowmachining)

While there is a lot of country in Alaska, there are a few areas that stand out for their winter trail systems and attractions.

The White Mountains National Recreation Area maintains over 200 miles of multiple-use winter trails, connecting 12 public use cabins.

• White Mountains NRA Brochure

The Iditarod National Historic Trail is over 1,000 miles long and connects Seward to Nome.

• Iditarod National Historic Trail Visitor Guide
• Iditarod National Historic Trail Interactive Map

There are several designated trails with the Tangle Lakes Archaeological District that the BLM and the State of Alaska manage that are open to motorized use in the winter when conditions are right. Trail access is via several mile posts along the Denali Highway. Contact the Glennallen Field office for more information.

• Tangle Lakes Archaeological District Brochure

Multiple-Use Trails

In the winter, most of the trails in Alaska are considered multiple-use.  That means trail users need to share the trail with several types of use such as skiers, dog mushers, snowmobilers, and hikers.   Please respect other trail users and demonstrate the Alaska Spirit of Sharing the Trail .

Trail Etiquette

• When meeting head-on, snowmobilers should pull off the trail and turn off their engines to allow other non-motorized users to pass.
• When approaching from behind, snowmobilers should slow down and wait until the traveler in front signals it's OK to pass.
• Slower riders should pull off the trail to allow faster riders to pass.
• Do not disturb trapping activities in the area.
• Do not camp on the trail.  Camp at least 25 feet away from the trail.
• Operation of motorized vehicles, including snowmobiles, under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited.

REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR HELMET!