The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Alaska is known for its natural beauty and excellent camping sites. The Bureau of Land Management administers many campsites, trails, and other points of interest across the US, including in Alaska. Castner Glacier Trail is located on the Delta River and along the scenic Richardson Highway, which connects Fairbanks in the north to Glennallen and points south and west. You can find it at Mile Marker 217.3 of the Richardson Highway. This highway is one of two ways to get from the southern parts of the state to Fairbanks. If you drive south on the Richardson and then turn west on the Glen Highway, you'll enjoy stunning mountain views with potential hiking spots on the way to the town of Palmer. Going north, you will reach Fairbanks, a larger city with beautiful weather, quirky culture, and access to lots of trails and other points.
The Castner Glacier Trail connects to the Castner Glacier Ice Cave, which is a major attraction and is not a difficult hike. The trail is not maintained, so be careful, especially in the winter. Hiking on the glacier itself is not recommended, however.
This is the only trail at the trailhead, although it does split into two parts. The north trail goes to the ice cave attraction while the south portion does not because you cannot cross the river to the north area where the cave is. The trail is just over 2.5 miles in total to loop out to the cave and back. It is unmarked and not maintained, but it is considered an easy trail with minimal elevation change. Be careful about falling rocks near the ice cave, especially in the warmer months.
Length: 2.6 miles, out and back
Intensity: Easy
The Delta River presents some fishing opportunities as there is a large Arctic grayling population. There is catch-and-release salmon fishing in the Delta River as well. There are pullouts and other spots along the Richardson Highway north and south of the trailhead as well as farther down the trail itself.
As with other parts of Alaska, there are a variety of wildlife possibilities, from birds and small mammals to moose, caribou, and bears. When you are away from your car, be sure to pack bear spray and have it ready to hand just in case. Do not approach wildlife under any circumstances.
The trail and its surrounding area are not maintained, but you can still pack some food for the walk and have lunch outdoors if you want. If you continue south, there are other camping spots with more facilities and support for a proper picnic.
There is no campsite at the Castner Glacier Trail area, but if you continue south along the highway, you will reach the Tangle Lakes Campground. This is also near many other trailheads and places for boating and fishing, so it makes a good base camp for the region. Camping along the Richardson Highway is not common, and it can be a long drive between gas stations and other resources, so plan carefully. Bureau of Land Management campgrounds in the area provide amazing proximity to nature. If you are looking for Bureau of Land Management free camping, you won't find much as you generally have to pay a small daily fee.
Free camping near the Castner Glacier Trail is generally permitted as long as it is on BLM land. However, space in the area is limited. The Richardson Highway has occasional pull-offs that have enough room for an RV, but these are not guaranteed to have enough space for you. Free camping in Alaska's interior is not recommended in winter.
In Alaska, the backcountry outside the main cities can be extremely sparse in terms of services of all kinds, and campsites are not well equipped where they exist. Basing yourself in Fairbanks or Palmer will get you access to the Castner Glacier Trail as well as other major highlights.
The weather in Alaska can vary a lot. In the winter, all roads can become completely impassable because of snow and ice. In the summer, long stretches of roadwork will frequently add hours to the time it takes to drive from one place to another, so be sure that you have a full tank of gas and fill it to the top whenever you can. Rainstorms and wildfires can cause dangerous conditions in the summer.
Alaska is a beautiful and rugged state. Be sure to pack clothing for warm and cold weather, good boots, bear spray, sunglasses, and plenty of water when you are out on a trail. Bear spray is a necessity whenever you are not inside your vehicle. It's a very special place to visit, and nowhere else in the US gets you this close to this much nature. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
While camping anywhere, but especially on BLM land, you must follow a Leave No Trace approach. That means packing up and taking away all of your trash, not touching or disturbing animals and plant life, and taking care of any and all waste. There should be absolutely no evidence that you were present. Even small traces can affect the environment and cause damage.
From Fairbanks in the north, it is easy to find the trail. Simply drive south from Fairbanks along the Richardson Highway for about two and a half hours until you reach mile marker 217.3. Again, note that highway repairs can add hours to the travel time, and opportunities for gas, restrooms, and supplies between Fairbanks and the trail may be minimal or nonexistent.
From southwestern cities like Palmer or Anchorage, take the beautiful Glenn Highway northwest from Palmer until you reach the junction near Glennallen, then turn north on the Richardson Highway until you reach mile marker 217.3. The total trip without traffic or construction will take about four and a half hours, but you should leave time to stop and check out trails and scenic points along the Glenn. For BLM camping, Alaska is a great state to start.
Ready to visit Castner Glacier Trail? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
