The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Iditarod National Historic Trail Recreation Management Area is Alaska's only National Historic Trail. This 1,000-mile-long trail runs from Seward to Nome. Over 1,400 miles of additional trails link to it. You can find many places to go Bureau of Land Management (BLM) camping along its route. The BLM is a government agency that manages public lands throughout the United States, including those in Alaska.
During your visit to this area, be sure to leave time to see Kenai Fjords National Park and Lake Clark National Park while in Seward. Seward is also a great place to start a flightseeing adventure to visit Denali National Park. You can stay for free at Bureau of Land Management campgrounds along the trail for 10 to 14 days at a time.
This trail near Anchorage is beautiful when the wildflowers are blooming in the summer. You may see beavers and bears along this course. You will be hiking through heavily forested areas. This trail is well marked, but be sure to walk it on a dry day because it is subject to flooding.
Length: 3.3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
This trail starts near Chugiak and climbs the north face of Bear Point Mountain to its summit. Look down as you hike through the woods to enjoy the beautiful views of Mirror Lake. Once you reach the summit, enjoy views of Knik Arm, the Talkeetna Mountains, Lazy Mountain, and Matanuska Peak. This trail starts at 900 feet in elevation and continues to 3,600 feet.
Length: 2 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Hike along the well-marked first half of this trail under birch, aspen, and spruce trees. You will need to do some rock scrambling along the second half of this trail that ends at a small lake. There are plenty of rock outcroppings near the lake to rest on, so consider bringing along a picnic. It continues to Eagle River before returning to its starting point.
Length: 6.3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
This trail follows an old roadbed, and it can be steep in places. You will need to cross a few streams without any bridges while hiking this trail near Mt. Eklutna. While you can hike it in the summer, it is also open for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter.
Length: 14 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Ship Creek and 20-Mile River are great places to go fishing. In late April, anglers usually start catching stocked rainbow trout, arctic char, and landlocked salmon in these rivers and continue through November. June is the ideal month to go king salmon fishing, especially in Ship Creek. Campbell and Chester creeks can be excellent places to catch Dolly Varden trout and king salmon in the summer.
Some of the best wildlife viewing in Southeast Alaska can be found by following gravel roads. In particular, consider following the Bob Blodgett Nome-Teller Memorial Highway north from Nome to see muskoxen and reindeer in the late spring. You may also want to follow the Nome-Teller Highway to see moose in the Lower Nome River Valley. Another fabulous choice is to follow the Nome-Council Road in the fall to see beluga whales on their southern migration.
Rotary East End Park near Nome is a terrific place for a picnic. Watch migrating birds fly around this park, especially in May and June. There are grills, a picnic shelter, and picnic tables available. You will love seeing the views of the pond.
Even if they are not participating in the Iditarod dog race, many teams use this trail as their training grounds. A great way to learn more about this race is to visit the Iditarod Museum in Wasilla. Of course, you may also want to time your visit so that you can watch the famous race, which starts on the first Saturday of March in downtown Anchorage.
There are at least 12 BLM campgrounds near the Iditarod National Historic Trail, so it is not difficult to find BLM camping near me when visiting this area. Near Nome, you may want to consider RV camping at the Sourdough Campground. This campground along the Richardson Highway lies on the Gulkana River's shores, and a boat ramp is available. Consider the Walker Fork Campground in Chicken, Alaska if you are closer to Seward. This campground offers access to the Walker Fork River for fishing, and the Jack Wade Public Gold Panning Area is nearby.
There are numerous opportunities for Bureau of land Management free camping. An attractive option is the Russian River Campground, which is free in the spring and fall; there is a small fee to stay at this campground during the summer months. You may also want to consider the Salmon Lake Campground about 40 miles north of Nome. This campground is about a mile off the Nome-Kougarok Highway and features picnic tables, grills, and an outhouse.
The weather can be brutal along the Iditarod National Historic Trail, especially in the winter. During the March race, the average daytime temperature is 17 degrees, and there is often a heavy wind blowing. Therefore, make sure that you dress in layers. The layer against your skin should be a natural material to help move moisture away from your skin. Then use warm clothing to create layers. Carefully choose the top layer to block the wind from reaching you.
Camping along the trail is a fun way to explore southcentral Alaska. The course is open throughout the year, and you will love visiting these remote locations. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
This area is very near the Bering Sea and is abundant with wildlife. Therefore, you must pack out what you bring in. Consider making this easier by removing most packaging before you visit the area for BLM RV camping. Do not leave food behind because it can attract bears and make them aggressive as they learn to rely on humans instead of the natural environment.
Consider starting your visit to the Iditarod National Historic Trail Recreation Management Area at the Iditarod Monument, where the race begins annually. You can easily get to it from downtown Seward by going south on 3rd Avenue for about one mile. The monument is at the Alaska SeaLife Center and International Bird Rescue.
Ready to visit Iditarod National Historic Trail Recreation Management Area? 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.
