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Coal Mine Road/Jarvis Creek

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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Coal Mine Road/Jarvis Creek

BLM stands for the Bureau of Land Management. The Bureau of Land Management was established in 1946, though the concept for it has been in the making ever since the United States gained independence. It focuses on keeping public lands sustained and diverse so that people of present and future generations can enjoy nature.

Coal Mine Road/Jarvis Creek is a BLM site located in Alaska off the Richardson Highway. Off the highway and onto Coal Mine Road, you will find a grouping of eight relatively small lakes, as well as where Jarvis Creek drains out into the rest of the land. People often enjoy fishing and watching the wildlife here. The nation’s largest national park, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, is about a three-hour drive south from here.

What to See and Do

Fishing and Boating

While swimming and boating aren't options until the summer months when the ice clears away, fishing is a year-round activity. There are eight lakes that people can fish from and many smaller bodies of water that hold a healthy supply of fish. The most common types of fish that inhabit these lakes are the Arctic char, Arctic grayling, lake trout, Chinook salmon, and rainbow trout. All eight lakes are stocked with at least two species of fish. Ice fishing is common. Always keep in mind that lakes may not freeze evenly and that you should use caution and common sense when moving along a frozen lake.

Wildlife Viewing

In the vast and undisturbed subalpine lands around this area, there is a considerable opportunity for wildlife viewing and photography. There are Kodiak bears, moose, caribou, wolves, bison, foxes, and beavers, as well as other types of bears. Passing birds include bald eagles, falcons, geese, and ducks. Near the lakes, you may find frogs and salamanders during the warmer months.

Picnicking

While this specific site does not offer designated picnicking areas, approximately 30 miles north is a community park. This park has softball and baseball fields, soccer fields, both large and small playgrounds for younger children to enjoy, and picnic areas for you to enjoy.

ATV Riding and Off-Roading

Alaska offers ample ATV and off-roading opportunities for those who have the equipment. Because Coal Mine Road is unmaintained, leading to snow buildup during the winter months, taking an ATV or a snowmobile on it can offer scenic views and an enjoyable trip. The entire length of Coal Mine Road (approximately seven miles) can be driven in one of these vehicles, making for a 14-mile round trip. The main road can be driven with a 4WD vehicle, but any side trails you want to take will require an off-road-capable vehicle.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

When you begin your search for BLM camping, you will find that there are quite a few places that offer RV camping nearby. For example, if you continue south on Richardson Highway, past the exit for Coal Mine Road, you will come across Donnelly Creek Recreation Site and Campground. This riverside campground offers 12 campsites that are RV friendly, accommodating up to 100-foot RVs. There are no hookups, and the site is somewhat limited, but this means that there aren't many people here, allowing you to relax and take in the sights more.

There is also Snowed Inn RV, Campers, and Tents. This is located north along Richardson Highway near the community park mentioned earlier. There are 82 sites, most of them being full-hookup sites. They offer restrooms, laundry, dump stations, and power hookups. They are pet-friendly and accept larger RVs as well.

Located near the previous BLM RV camping site, there is also the Delta State Recreation Site. They offer 25 campsites, a picnic area, and covered shelter, as well as restrooms and water. The sites here are also right beside the Delta River, offering scenic views for people who are interested in the natural beauty that the heart of Alaska has to offer.

Free Camping

The land around Coal Mine Road/Jarvis Creek offers plentiful opportunities for free camping. There is also a Bureau of Land Management free camping cabin located at Coal Mine #5, which is one of the lakes at the site. The cabin cannot be fully reached by highway vehicles, even in the summer. The closest you can get is within half a mile of it, and the roads are not cleared during the winter months. You will be responsible for bringing your own amenities, including sleeping bags. The cabin must be reserved before your stay, and reservations cannot be longer than five consecutive nights.

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Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Coal Mine Road/Jarvis Creek BLM trip

When camping at Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, you must remember that Alaska's weather is volatile, and blizzards can come down with little to no warning. You should make sure that the RV you are driving is equipped to handle this type of weather and that your camping equipment is well-suited for it. Unless you are camping during the summer, you should pack several layers of clothing. Temperatures during the winter are often sub-zero during the day and even colder at night.

You also need to keep in mind that Coal Mine Road/Jarvis Creek is an unmaintained road. During the summers, especially after mid-June, this isn't a problem. However, during the colder months, this means that there will be large snowdrifts on the road, making it inaccessible for most RVs. You should plan your trip accordingly and bring snowmobiles or ATVs as necessary, or consider one of the RV-accessible campsites located nearby. Before you finalize preparations for your BLM camping trip, check out our blog for any other camping checklists you may need.

Leave No Trace

Because these sites are focused on providing a natural experience, animals frequent the area. This makes it especially important for you to be mindful of cleaning up after your stay. Any trash that is left behind may be ingested by animals, which can lead to sickness, health problems, and potentially death depending on the type of trash left behind. To keep the wildlife healthy and safe, you must always leave the site looking the way you found it, without any traces of camping left behind.

Coal Mine Road/Jarvis Creek Location

Coal Mine Road/Jarvis Creek is located off the Richardson Highway at mile marker 242.1 on the eastern side of the highway. If coming from the north along the Alaska Highway, you will want to turn onto Richardson Highway at Delta Junction. If you are coming from the south, you will pass Gulkana. A short bit after you pass through Gulkana, there will be a fork between Richardson Highway and the Glenn Highway-Tok Cutoff. You will want to continue on Richardson Highway for approximately 120 miles until you see mile marker 242.1.

Ready to visit Coal Mine Road/Jarvis Creek? 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 for the night, 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.

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