The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Under President Truman, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was established, and 1 in 10 acres of American land was set aside for public enjoyment. To discover the location of Bureau of Land Management campgrounds in your area, simply enter "BLM camping near me" into your search engine. You will find that many BLM sites offer free camping while others charge only a small fee. There are also sites for BLM RV camping. Reservations are required for some sites, and amenities will vary.
The Colorado Creek Trail is part of a wider multiple-use system within the White Mountains National Recreation Area. Users can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, camping, fishing, horseback riding, skiing, and dog mushing. Nearby national parks include Gates of the Arctic National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park.
The first 10 miles wind through open meadows filled with wildflowers in the spring and through forests filled with birch and spruce. The last mile will make you work as you climb to the top of a ridge that will give you wonderful views of Beaver Creek.
Length: 11 miles
Intensity: Moderate
This trail ends where the Colorado Creek Trail begins. It passes by the Colorado Creek Cabin and continues through vast open meadows before climbing 1,350 feet to the top of the nearby ridge. After a steep descent, the trail continues through black spruce forests before connecting to the Wickersham Creek Trail.
Length: 15 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Fishermen can catch Arctic grayling, northern pike, and burbot in the Nome Creek Valley. Beaver Creek offers 127 miles for boating. Rafting and floating are popular activities thanks to the mild rapids and beautiful scenery.
Near the Colorado Creek Trail is the Rumney Rocks Day Use Area. Located off the Rumney Rocks trailhead, the climbing area features hundreds of rock and ice climbs on metamorphic rock.
There is a wide variety of wildlife in this wilderness space. Animals in the area include Dall sheep, caribou, moose, marmots, and pika, as well as brown bears, wolves, and wolverines. Bird-watchers might see gyrfalcons, peregrine falcons, bald eagles, merlins, kestrels, rough-legged hawks, and red-tailed hawks along with hawk owls, great-horned owls, and great gray owls in the winter.
The trail system in the White Mountains National Recreation Area is open for equestrians. The Colorado Creek Trail is of moderate difficulty as it includes some steep sections. Other paths in the network vary from relatively easy to fairly difficult.
The White Mountains National Recreation Area allows hunting with a permit. Game species include moose, caribou, bear, sheep, wolf, and wolverine.
An activity unique to the area is gold panning. You can try your luck at a four-mile stretch on Nome Creek between the Nome Creek Bridge and Moose Creek. You are limited to only hand tools such as gold pans, sluice boxes, picks, and shovels. No motorized equipment is allowed.
RV Camping is possible near the Colorado Creek Trail at the Olnes Pond Campground. The campground is ADA accessible, and there are no limits to RV size. Fees are $30/day for sites with full hookups. There are picnic tables, a public use cabin, and numerous trails.
Bureau of Land Management free camping is available at three campgrounds within the White Mountains National Recreation Area. They are only maintained during the summer season. All have hand pumps, trash cans, and vault toilets, as well as picnic tables and fire rings. Firewood is not provided, and the nearest dump site is in Fairbanks. In addition to the campgrounds, there are 12 public cabins available. These include Lee's Cabin and Windy Gap Cabin.
The White Mountain National Recreation Area is part of the Alaskan Wilderness. As such, cellphone reception will not be available in some areas. Many of the trails may be subject to frequent windstorms, and late spring or early fall snows are a possibility. In the summer, bug spray and sunscreen are essential, as is a rain poncho or jacket. Be aware of your surroundings as wolves and bears live in this area. When camping, use "bear boxes" to store your food. Also, be aware that the nearest dump site is in Fairbanks.
The best things about visiting the area are the quiet atmosphere, stunning natural beauty, and the wide diversity of wildlife. You may have a meadow to yourself or see our national symbol, the bald eagle, flying overhead. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Visitors to the Colorado Creek Trail should clean up after themselves and minimize their impact on this natural area. They should pack out all trash and dispose of waste properly. Any human or dog waste should be buried at least 200 feet from any water. Do not confront wildlife. Remember that this is their home, and you are the visitor, so respect their space. By following these rules, you contribute to the maintenance of a pristine environment.
The Colorado Creek Trail begins at the Colorado Creek Trailhead at milepost 57 on the Elliot Highway. To get to the trailhead from Fairbanks, simply follow Alaska Route 2 north and west for approximately 100 miles. Elliot Highway is part of Alaska Route 2 and will take you to your destination.
Ready to visit the Colorado Creek Trail? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to 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 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.
