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White Mountains National Recreation Area
Located just an hour's drive from Fairbanks, Alaska, the one-million-acre White Mountains National Recreation Area offers stunning scenery, peaceful solitude, and outstanding opportunities for year-round recreation. Summer visitors to the White Mountains pan for gold, fish, hike and camp under Alaska's 'midnight sun.' The Nome Creek Road provides access to two campgrounds, trails, a gold-panning area and a departure point for float trips on Beaver Creek National Wild River. In winter, visitors travel by ski, snowshoe, dog team and snowmobile to enjoy the 12 public-use cabins and 250 miles of groomed trails that make the White Mountains one of Interior Alaska's premier winter destinations.
RecAreaDirections
Begin your trip at the BLM office or the Alaska Public Lands Information Center (an interagency office) in Fairbanks, where you can obtain detailed directions, as well as the latest information on trail and weather conditions. Most summer hiking occurs along the Summit Trail at mile 28, Elliott Highway. Other hiking trails, along with campgrounds and gold-panning areas, may be found at Nome Creek, accessible from the U.S. Creek Rd., mile 57, Steese Highway. Winter access is at mile 28 and mile 57, Elliott Highway, and at McKay Creek, mile 42, Steese Highway. BLM has also developed a new winter access point at U.S. Creek, mile 57, Steese Highway.
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Permits info
Important Information
Hiking only, canoeing not allowed. Camping limited to designated U.S.F.S. sites or at least 150 feet from hiking trails, lakes, streams, portages or other campsites.
Facilities
White Mountains National Recreation Area - Alaska Cabins Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Located just an hour's drive from Fairbanks, Alaska, the one-million-acre White Mountains National Recreation Area offers stunning scenery, peaceful solitude and outstanding opportunities for year-round recreation including hiking, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, skiing, wildlife and scenic viewing. There are 12 beautiful log cabins throughout the White Mountains offering many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Be sure to carry your cabin permit at all times while in the White Mountains National Recreation Area. Also located in the White Mountains National Recreation Area are two trail shelters that are available on a first-come, first-served basis only.Recreation
Summer visitors to the White Mountains pan for gold, fish, hike and camp under Alaska's midnight sun. The Nome Creek Road provides access to two campgrounds, trails, a gold-panning area and a departure point for float trips on Beaver Creek National Wild River. In winter, visitors travel by ski, snowshoe, dog team and snowmobile to enjoy the 12 public-use cabins and 250 miles of groomed trails that make the White Mountains one of Interior Alaska's premier winter destinations. Learn more about current trail conditions or call the Fairbanks District Office at (907) 474-2200. For a trails condition report, go to, https://www.blm.gov/visit/white-mountainsFacilities
Summer Recreation / Nome Creek Valley:
Nome Creek valley is one of the prime access points for summer recreation in the White Mountains National Recreation Area. It can be reached via the US Creek Road at milepost 57 on the Steese Highway.
The area has a rich mining history, the remnants of which remain visible in places like the Maze, where a gold-mining dredge left Nome Creek in a sinuous path between piles of gravel tailings. Today visitors come to the recreational gold-panning area to try their hand at recovering the gold the miners missed.
The Table Top Mountain Trail and Quartz Creek Trail both start in Nome Creek valley, or you can find your own way up one of the ridges behind the Mt. Prindle Campground.
Nome Creek valley is also a departure point for float trips down Beaver Creek National Wild River. The put-in is located next to the Ophir Creek Campground.
Note: Not all trails are accessible to ATV's in the summer. Please contact the BLM Fairbanks District Office for further information at (907)474-2200
Note: Not all trails are suitable for hiking in the summer. They may be wet and boggy. Check with the Fairbanks District Office for more information.
Note: All lands to the north of the Nome Creek Rd. from the Bear Creek Trail, west to Ophir Creek Campground and the Beaver Creek Put-In are closed to the use of motorized vehicles in the summer from May 1 - October 14 or until there is adequate snow cover for use by snowmobiles.
Winter Recreation:
The White Mountains National Recreation Area offers 250 miles of maintained winter trails and 14 public recreation cabins and trails shelters surrounded by jagged limestone mountains and cliffs, high mountain passes, and broad, rounded valleys. Whether you choose to explore by ski, snowshoe, snowmobile, or dog team, you'll find crisp, clean air, dazzling views, and if you're lucky, shimmering northern lights against a star-studded sky.
One of the highlights of a tour through the White Mountains is an overnight stay at one of Bureau of Land Management's 12 public recreation cabins and two trail shelters -- the perfect place to warm up, dry out gear, and enjoy a hearty dinner after a day on the trail.
Nearby Attractions
The cabins are surrounded by vast amounts of land you can venture on to and view the scenery around the area.Mount Prindle Campground Campground
List of CampsitesThe Mount Prindle Campground is one of two campgrounds located at either end of the Nome Creek Valley, on the southern edge of the White Mountains NRA. The campground’s 13 sites, are situated among tall willow shrubs, below expansive alpine tundra meadows and Mount Prindle (5,286 feet), making it the ideal spot to begin a trip into the high country. From here you can enjoy gold panning in Nome Creek or explore the nearby Quartz Creek Trail.
Campgrounds are maintained during the summer season (June thru mid-September) and have hand pump wells, trash cans, and outhouse-style toilets. Each campsite has a parking area, picnic tables, and fire rings. Firewood is not provided. The nearest RV dump station is in Fairbanks.
Ophir Creek Campground Campground
List of CampsitesThe Ophir Creek Campground is one of two campgrounds located at either end of the Nome Creek Valley, on the southern edge of the White Mountains NRA. Nestled in tall white spruce trees on the bank of Nome Creek, the campground includes 20 campsites, including one group site.
From here you can enjoy fishing in Nome Creek or take a short day-hike over to Beaver Creek. Also nearby is the 3-mile loop trail to Table Top Mountain, with awesome views of the higher peaks in the White Mountains. Ophir Creek Campground also provides river access to Nome Creek for paddlers headed to Beaver Creek Wild and Scenic River.
The campground is maintained during the summer season (June thru mid-September) and have hand pump wells, trash cans, and outhouse-style toilets. Each campsite has a parking area, picnic tables, and fire rings. Firewood is not provided. The nearest RV dump station is in Fairbanks.
Cripple Creek Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOvernight camping, a riverside day-use area, and fishing access are available, including some universal design campsites and several walk-in tent sites near the Chatanika River.
A class I-II float trip to the Upper Chatanika State Recreation Site at milepost 39 is approximately 25 miles (40 km) long. Occasional low water may require some boat dragging. First come, first serve. Fee site ($6/night or $3/night with Senior Pass).
Borealis-LeFevre Cabin Facility
This 12’ x 16’ log cabin located on a low bluff above Beaver Creek Wild River. The cabin can sleep 4 to 6 people comfortably and has a storage loft. Cabins are equipped with bunk beds, a table and benches, cook stove, lantern, fire extinguisher, saw, ax, broom, wood stove and outhouse. Renters need to bring fuel for the lanterns and cook stoves. The lantern and cook stove uses propane canisters, so make sure to bring the proper fuel! Carry extra lantern mantles or candles in case the lanterns don't function properly. Cabin users should be prepared to cut firewood or bring some with them. Other recommended items to bring include maps and compass, matches, sleeping bag and pad, extra food items and water, and warm clothing.
