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BLM Camping

Jack Creek Trail


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

Jack Creek Trail is an easement of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. It provides access from native lands to public lands. You'll notice that public lands, which are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), start about two miles into the trail. The BLM maintains the trail and makes sure it is accessible to the public for recreation. Jack Creek Trail provides access to the Jack River Valley, a popular hunting spot, from mid-August to late September. The trail is also accessible for horseback riding, hiking, and riding off-highway vehicles. The nearest town where you can stock up on supplies is Cantwell. 

Jack Creek Trail is located near a few national parks in the state of Alaska. Those include Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Denali National Park and Preserve.

What to See and Do

What to See and Do

Hiking and BikingHiking and Biking

Wolf Point Trail

This point-to-point trail offers beautiful landscapes alongside a river. You'll get many opportunities for a picturesque view of the Alaskan wilderness.

Length: 2.9 Miles

Intensity: Moderate

Triple Lakes Trail

This out-and-back trail is located near the town of Healy. You'll scale snowy peaks, cross a wooden bridge and a railroad track, and see a flowing river along the way. 

Length: 18.1 Miles

Intensity: Hard

Little Coal Creek Trail

This lightly trafficked out-and-back trail offers many chances for viewing wildlife in its natural habitat. This hiking trail is situated in the Denali State Park, near Trapper Creek, Alaska.

Length: 6.2 Miles

Intensity: Moderate

Sugar Loaf Ridge

This out-and-back trail is located near Denali National Park and Preserve. It has a beautiful forest setting that is best used from May to September. Expect major elevation gains around two miles into your hike.

Length: 4.3 Miles

Intensity: Hard

Mount Healy Overlook Trail

This heavily trafficked out-and-back trail is located near Denali National Park and Preserve. It features wildflowers and is a great location for bird watching. This trail is best used from June until August.

Length: 6.9 Miles

Intensity: Moderate

Fishing & Boating

You have many fishing options around the Jack Creek Trail area, mainly for the native Arctic grayling. Some of the most popular spots are Drashner and Chavey Lakes. With so many no-name streams and ponds, you may want to hire one of the many angling instructors in the area who can guide you to the best fishing locations. 

Wildlife ViewingWildlife Viewing

There is an abundance of opportunities to view wildlife while RVing near Jack Creek Trail. Some popularly seen wildlife are brown bears, moose, caribou, wolves, foxes, river otters, beavers, and wolverines. When it comes to bird watching, you might spy species such as the black-legged kittiwake, northern hawk owl, northern shoveler, black turnstone, golden-crowned kinglet, horned puffin, great horned owl, northern goshawk, emperor goose, and red-winged blackbird.

Picnicking

There are many different picnicking facilities within a short distance of Jack Creek Trail. A few miles north, on Route 3 near Denali, you'll find the Mountain Vista Picnic Area and Savage Picnic Area South. A few miles south on Route 3 will take you to Denali State Park. It offers various picnicking facilities, including the Denali View North and Denali Viewpoint South.

Camping

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping Caravan Icon

When searching for "BLM camping near me," you'll come to discover that most BLM RV camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Some developed BLM RV camping sites at the Bureau of Land Management campgrounds in Alaska accept reservations, but it's not common. Most locations have picnic tables, vaulted toilets, litter barrels, and firepits. Tangle Lakes Campground is a BLM camping facility with 45 campsites that cost $12 per night. Also situated near Jack Creek Trail is Paxson Lake BLM Campground. It has 45 campsites, each costing $12 per night. Both of those locations have boat launches.

Some non-BLM campground options include Brushkana Creek and Campground, Cantwell RV Park, and Denali Rainbow Village RV Park & Motel.

Free Camping Campground Icon

Options for Bureau of Land Management free camping include various pull-offs and sites throughout the state. You'll find most of these open locations near the eight national parks that inhabit the region. One notable location for free camping near Jack Creek Trail is the East Fork Chulitna Wayside.

RV Rentals Near Jack Creek Trail Plan your next adventure

Planning Your Trip

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Jack Creek Trail BLM trip

  • Plan to stock up: Urban areas in Alaska are very few. You should plan your travel routes and town stops according to your food and water needs. 

  • Think before you drink: Most BLM camping areas don't include showers, laundry facilities, electrical hookups, or freshwater. Unless stated otherwise, assume that all water needs to be properly boiled or treated before drinking.

  • Check road conditions: During the winter months, be mindful of the roads you're traveling. Many access roads close during the winter months. Others may have treacherous conditions that you should avoid.

  • Learn about BLM camping: Before you head out on your trip, check our blog for all you need to know about BLM Camping

Leave No Trace Leaf

When you visit any of the BLM public lands, it's imperative that you practice the principles of the Leave No Trace Initiative. Start by planning your adventure and knowing where you're going to stay before you arrive. When picking a camping place, ensure that it's on solid ground, and have a plan for how you're going to properly dispose of waste. While adventuring, be mindful of other campers, leave what you find, and respect wildlife. When having your nightside campfire, be sure to minimize its impact on the area. By practicing these guiding principles, you can help to secure these lands for the next generation.

Leave No Trace
Location

Jack Creek Trail Location

Jack Creek Trail is located about 4 miles east of Cantwell, Alaska. Its trailhead is accessible off the Denali Highway at mile marker 131. It is located on the south (right) side of the road.

Ready to visit Jack Creek 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 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.