Moose Creek Trail

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

Moose Creek Trail is a seven-mile-long trail that runs adjacent to the Wickersham Creek Trail from the Wickersham Creek Cabin to the Moose Creek Cabin. The Bureau of Land Management grooms this trail north of Fairbanks in the winter, and many people go there year-round to enjoy fat-tire biking, hiking, and other recreational activities. Moose Creek Trail runs through spruce and pine forests and crosses Wickersham Creek near the Elliott Highway. Head about 147 miles south to explore Denali National Park.

While Moose Creek Trail is in a remote area, you may enjoy visiting Bureau of Land Management campgrounds near Fairbanks, Alaska. These campgrounds often offer very few services, but they are inexpensive or free. They make great places to stay when visiting the Last Frontier state because nature often surrounds them. In most cases, you can stay for up to 14 days before moving to a different location.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Wickersham Creek Trail

This trail starts near the Wickersham Dome along the Elliott Highway. The rocky trail goes for about 2.9 miles along a ridge with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Then it runs through black spruce forests before reaching Wickersham Creek. After crossing some switchbacks, it ends at Beaver Creek.

Length: 19.8 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Borealis-LeFevre Cabin Trail

This trail starts off the Wickersham Creek Trail and runs around the Borealis-LeFevre Cabin in the White Mountains National Recreation Area. Most hikers begin this trail by rafting into the Ophir Creek Campground, a Bureau of Land Management camping facility. This loop trail constantly runs up and down hills with some black and white spruce forests.

Length: 3 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Summit Trail

The Summit Trail in White Mountains National Recreation Area begins at about milepost 28 along the Elliott Highway. The first part of the trail climbs over a small dome before passing near the Wickersham Dome. It ends by descending through spruce forests to reach Beaver Creek near the Borealis-LeFevre Cabin. This is a great trail to follow as the blueberries and cranberries along it are delicious.

Length: 8 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Fishing and Boating

Beaver Creek begins in the White Mountains National Recreation Area and flows until it meets the Yukon River about 180 miles later. This river is an excellent place for a family rafting adventure as its entire length is rated as Class 1. There are also opportunities to catch Northern pike and Arctic grayling at numerous sites.

Climbing

Mount Prindle in White Mountains National Recreation Area is a fantastic place to climb as it has two walls. One wall is over 300 feet tall while the second wall is over 900 feet tall. There are numerous bolted routes up both granite walls, and there are also fantastic nearby shorter climbs.

Wildlife Viewing

Mount Prindle can be an excellent spot to see Dall sheep. Find a thicket of blueberries or cranberries in the summertime at the White Mountains National Recreation Area, and you are likely to see a black bear. Head out on one of the trails to reach a high ridge to see caribou grazing. You can see numerous birds along the mountain streams.

Picnicking

Before starting your adventure, consider having a picnic at Fairbank's Pioneer Park. This park resembles a late 1800s Alaskan village. You can view buildings moved to this site from throughout the Fairbanks area. After your picnic, take a ride on the carousel and the train.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

RV camping is not available along the Moose Creek Trail, but there is no need to ask Google where to find BLM camping near me. You can camp at Mount Prindle Campground, which is at the southern edge of the White Mountains National Recreation Area. You may also want to camp at Ophir Creek Campground, which is located on the north end of the valley. Both of these BLM RV camping facilities offer limited hookups and restrooms. A little farther away is Whitefish Campground and Boat Launch, which provides easy access to the Chatanika River.

Free Camping

While you will not find Bureau of Land Management free camping opportunities along the Elliott Highway north of Fairbanks, you may want to consider starting your adventure by spending a night at the Galbraith Lake Campground, located along the Dalton Highway, near the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

RV Rentals Near Moose Creek Trail Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Moose Creek Trail BLM trip

Hiking along the Moose Creek Trail is a very rustic experience. Many black bears frequent this area. If you see one, talk calmly to it. Do not scream or make any sudden movements as the bear may see it as an aggressive act. Move away from the bear slowly, and do not drop your pack.

The chance to see land that very few people have seen is a unique experience but one that you should not do alone. Alaska is still very much an untamed wilderness. Therefore, gather a group of friends to hike this trail with you. Everyone will love the bonding time away from others. Before you leave for your adventure, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

Be sure to pack out all your trash. This helps protect the scenic beauty of the area. It also ensures that wild animals do not become dependent on humans to feed them because that makes them more aggressive toward people.

Moose Creek Trail Location

You will need a detailed map to find this remote location as it is only accessible by hiking along other trails. The Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center in Fairbanks is a great place to get that map. Get there from Pioneer Park by heading east on Bartlett Avenue. The road makes some left turns, but stay on it until you reach Moore Avenue. Turn left. This road becomes Second Avenue before becoming First Avenue. Finally, turn left on Dunkkel Street, and you will see the center on your left.

Address: Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, 101 Dunkel St, Fairbanks, AK 99701

Ready to visit Moose 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.