List Your RV

BLM Camping

Ptarmigan Creek Trail Shelter

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

Home
Bureau of Land Management
Alaska
Ptarmigan Creek Trail Shelter

Each BLM site offers something new for adventurers to explore, whether it’s an exciting hiking trail, a beautiful campground, or fantastic photography opportunities. BLM sites are areas of public lands that have been preserved and left in their wild states for visitors to enjoy, and you can often find a site that suits your taste and that offers the recreational activities you’re interested in. To find BLM sites with camping options, search for “BLM camping near me.”

The Ptarmigan Creek Trail Shelter is one of many similar shelters that dot Alaska’s trail systems. These shelters are intended for emergency use, as they provide a safe place to wait out a storm or sudden inclement weather. They can be used by anyone hiking the trail. The Ptarmigan Creek Trail Shelter is located north of Fairbanks near Pinnell Mountain and the Steese National Conservation Area. It is first-come, first-served, and there is a water catchment system. All water should be treated or boiled before it’s used for drinking or cooking.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Pinnell Mountain Trail

This trail, which leads to the Ptarmigan Creek Trail Shelter, can be very steep and slippery in some areas, so it’s best for more experienced hikers.

Length: 22.4 miles

Intensity: Difficult

Twelvemile Summit Trail

Located in the Steese National Conservation Area, this beautiful trail offers fantastic views, but the climb up is not too steep.

Length: 3.1 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Monument Creek Trail

This trail near Fairbanks offers beautiful views and is perfect for snowmobiling during the winter.

Length: 2.9 miles

Intensity: Easy

Chena Riverwalk

Located in the Chena River State Recreation Area, this nearby trail offers beautiful views of the river, and it’s ideal for birdwatching or spotting wildlife.

Length: 6.6 miles

Intensity: Easy

Granite Tors Campground Short Out-and-Back Trail

This gentle trail offers gorgeous views of the surrounding landscape.

Length: 3.4 miles

Intensity: Easy

Fishing and Boating

Most people visiting the area around the Ptarmigan Creek Trail Shelter head to the nearby Chena River for the best fishing opportunities. Anglers can often catch salmon when they are in season, and the river is also known for its trout and grayling fishing.

Climbing

The area around Fairbanks and the Ptarmigan Creek Trail Shelter offers hundreds of rock climbing opportunities. Grapefruit Rocks offers the most climbing options, including over 100 traditional, sport, top-rope, and bouldering routes. Nearby Angel Creek Rocks offers 15 traditional and top-rope routes, and Granite Tors offers 18 sport, traditional, and top-rope routes.

Wildlife Viewing

Pinnell Mountain Trail and the Ptarmigan Creek Trail Shelter are both excellent spots to view wildlife. Visitors can sometimes see hawks, owls, moose, reindeer, brown and black bears, elk, foxes, swans, geese, lynx, beavers, bats, porcupines, and marmots. Visitors can also view wildlife throughout the Steese National Conservation Area.

Picnicking

Graehl Park is an excellent option for a picnic in a beautiful setting. The park looks out on the Chena River, and there are several picnic tables available. The picnic area at the Tanana Lakes Recreation Area also offers beautiful views, covered picnic tables, and plenty of open space. Visitors to the recreation area can also easily choose a hiking path or do some fishing.

Skiing, Snowshoeing, Snowmobiling, and Dog Sledding

Winter activities are extremely popular in the area around the Ptarmigan Creek Trail Shelter. Visitors can choose from almost any of the area’s many hiking trails to ski, snowshoe, dog sled, or snowmobile. Check ahead to make sure each trail is suitable for your chosen activity.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

BLM RV camping is available at Chena River Wayside, which offers several RV camping sites. The campground is relatively rugged, but some of the sites have hookups for water and electricity. Tanana Valley Campground & RV Park is also a fantastic choice for nearby RV camping. The park offers electric hookups and a dump station, and each site has a fire pit and a picnic table.

Free Camping

Bureau of Land Management free camping is available at the nearby Chena River State Recreation Area. Visitors to the area can set up a dispersed campsite almost anywhere. The Red Squirrel Campground also offers free camping. Each location is relatively remote, and there are very few amenities, so plan accordingly.

RV Rentals Near Ptarmigan Creek Trail Shelter Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Ptarmigan Creek Trail Shelter BLM trip

Pinnell Mountain Trail and the area around the Ptarmigan Creek Trail Shelter are home to several large predators, including bears, so proceed with caution. Even large animals such as elk and moose can sometimes be dangerous if they feel threatened. If you see a wild animal, observe it quietly from a distance. When camping, always secure your food supplies so as not to attract bears.

The weather around the Ptarmigan Creek Trail Shelter can turn quickly, so always check ahead and stay alert to any shifts in temperature or precipitation. For the most part, the climate in the area is relatively mild during the summer months, which is when most people prefer to visit. Winters offer excellent recreational activity options, but they can be very cold, and snow can pile up, creating dangerous situations. Dress accordingly, and always carry a map, compass, or GPS to keep you on the correct trail. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace guidelines outline your responsibility to protect and preserve Bureau of Land Management campgrounds and day use sites. Always pack out all your trash and dispose of it properly. Be courteous, and treat other visitors, the native wildlife, and the landscape with respect and care. Only start a fire in a designated area, and ensure that all fires remain controlled. Don’t leave an area until the fire’s embers are cold. Stay on the trails as much as possible, and never take any plants or animals home with you.