The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Middle Fork Trail in northeast Alaska is a scenic area maintained by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM oversees the protection of one in ten acres of land within the United States. Search "BLM camping near me" to find a BLM-managed site nearby. The trail is accessible from a short drive from the nearby Chugach State Park Recreation Center.
A lush, isolated path, the Middle Fork Trail is part of the larger Sourdough Controlled Use Area, an area containing dozens of beautiful Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, trails, water sources, and geographic formations. Middle Fork Trail is renowned for its vast, open hills and dense forests. It features many exciting opportunities for camping and recreational activities. Plus, the trail is near two national parks. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is just an hour and 47 minutes southeast of Middle Fork Trail while Denali National Park is a little bit farther away at four hours and 17 minutes northwest of Middle Fork Trail.
Middle Fork Trail is a great spot for biking. It's a loop trail with lots of bumps and alternate paths. The somewhat-challenging path includes a few rocky climbs and hard-to-scale walls, so be prepared. Some paved roads are available for relaxed hiking as well.
Length: 8.7 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Landmark Gap Trail North is an hour northwest of Middle Fork Trail and one of the easiest and most popular trails in the Tangle Lakes Archaeological District (TLAD). It is important that users stay on this dry, rocky trail to avoid disturbing nearby archaeological sites.
Length: 3 miles
Intensity: Easy
Thirty-five minutes south of Middle Fork Trail, Gulkana River Trail is an out-and-back route that takes about 20 minutes to complete. The start of the trail is steep, and after it rains, it can be slippery. The best time to visit the trail is May through October.
Length: 0.5 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Located an hour and 17 minutes northwest of Middle Fork Trail in the Clearwater Creek Controlled Use Area, Maclaren Summit Trail provides breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. It terminates at Sevenmile Lake's west end.
Length: 9.5 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Portions of the Swede Lake Trail take you past Swede Lake's northern end, the Middle Fork Gulkana Trail, and the Alphabet Hills Trail. Due to its location within the TLAD, users must stay on the designated trail so as not to disturb the nearby archaeological findings.
Length: 10.5 miles
Intensity: Easy
Middle Fork Trail provides access to the Gulkana Wild and Scenic River, which is 50 minutes south of Middle Fork Trail. Both water sources are teeming with fish, and boat access is permitted. Alaska's freshwater sources feature trout, salmon, bass, and catfish. The trail has many smaller bodies of water as well, like creeks and ponds. Bowfin and other unique freshwater fish can be found in these smaller bodies of water.
Middle Fork Trail is nestled within a rocky mountain. Climbing is permitted here, though most suitable areas are not very challenging.
Middle Fork Trail is home to many kinds of wildlife. Small animals, like squirrels and chipmunks, are common along the hiking trails. If you delve deeper into the trail's forests, you may see turkeys, great horned owls, and minks, to name a few. Large birds like eagles and kestrels are common as well. Wildlife photography is permitted on Middle Fork Trail.
Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) access is provided at Middle Fork Trail. Riders must stick to the designated trails, which are indicated by green dot markers. Recreation Off Road Vehicle (OHV) use is also available at the nearby Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve. OHVs are also welcome at the TLAD, which is 55 minutes northwest of Middle Fork Trail.
You can go on horseback rides at Middle Fork Trail. The path has long stretches of roadside forests that will make for a relaxing ride. At higher elevations, there is a loop path, making it possible to experience different paths on the same trip easily. You can also ride your horse on the 7.2-mile Osar Lake Trail, which is also located in the TLAD.
Hunting is permitted at Middle Fork Trail. Alaska allows the hunting of many species of game that will appeal to longtime hunters. Black bears, elk, javelina, and pronghorn are common examples of big game found deeper into the trail. Small game like chukar, rabbits, quail, and rabbits are found near water sources.
Middle Fork Trail is far from society, light sources, and sky-crowding pollutants. You can experience breathtaking views of nature, lakes, and massive mountain ranges from Middle Fork Trail. At night, the clear view of the stars will be a memorable sight.
There are many RV camping facilities near Middle Fork Trail that provide amenities. Northern Nights Campground and RV Park, which is an hour to the south, provides 28 wooded RV sites with hookups for 30-amp electricity and water. Five of the sites feature sewer hookups as well. Ranch House Lodge & RV Camping is an hour and 16 minutes southwest of Middle Fork Trail. There are creekside RV sites with full hookups and free Wi-Fi. There also is a dump station, bathhouse, and laundry. If you travel an hour and 16 minutes southwest, you will reach Tolsona Wilderness Campground. All the RV sites are by the creek with some by the beach. Each space comes with water and electrical hookups. A laundromat, hot showers, and a dump station are also available.
There are Bureau of Land Management free camping options available at Middle Fork Trail. BLM RV camping is permitted here, and dispersed camping is allowed all along the trail as well. If you don't want to stay on the trail overnight, you have a couple of options if you still want to go primitive camping. Paxson Lake Campground, a mere seven minutes north of Middle Fork Trail, features 45 sites. Water, picnic tables, restrooms and fire rings are also found at this campground. Twenty-three minutes south of Middle Fork Trail is Sourdough Creek Campground. There are 42 sites here along with fire rings, water, restrooms and picnic tables.
Be sure to pack essentials like fire-starting equipment, water filtration equipment, fishing bait, and bike maintenance tools. Mobile hot spots are useful as well since they allow you to use your phone's cellular service as an Internet connection. Having this feature working will decrease the odds of you being left without directions or crucial information.
Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
It is your responsibility to clean up after you and your party. Remove all recreational and camping equipment from the area. Clean campfires, trash, leftover food, and flammable materials from the trail as well. Do not approach or feed the local wildlife.
You can find Middle Fork Trail past the milepost at the end of Richardson Highway. A State of Alaska gravel pit is nearby.
Ready to visit Middle Fork 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.
