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BLM Camping

Quartz Creek Trail

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

BLM sites are the perfect way to explore an area away from cities or crowds. These lands are public but have been left mostly untouched so that visitors can experience them in their wild state. To find BLM sites with campgrounds or camping options, search for “BLM camping near me.”

The Quartz Creek Trail is located in the White Mountains National Recreation Area, north of Fairbanks, Alaska. The trail meanders through alpine tundra and white spruce forests. It follows along ridgelines near Quartz Creek, so it offers many spectacular views and plenty of excellent photography opportunities. The trail is excellent for hiking, mountain biking, and off-roading. It does feature several steep areas, and it can be rough, rocky, muddy, or slippery thanks to runoff and creek crossings, so be prepared for uneven, challenging terrain.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Quartz Creek Trail

This trail offers beautiful views and is a great way to spot wildlife.

Length: 16 miles

Intensity: Hard

Chena River Nature Trail

This gentle trail follows the nearby Chena River and offers gorgeous views, particularly in the fall when the foliage is in full color.

Length: 2.6 miles

Intensity: Easy

Angel Rocks Trail

One of the most popular trails in the area, this path offers stunning views of the Chena River State Recreation Area.

Length: 3.6 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Twelvemile Summit Trail

Despite the name, this trail is relatively short and, although there is some uphill hiking, is mostly easy aside from the occasional muddy patch.

Length: 3.1 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Granite Tors Loop Trail

This trail offers amazing views and is a great place to spot wildlife, but it’s steep and can sometimes be rough, so it offers a good challenge.

Length: 14.1 miles

Intensity: Hard

Fishing and Boating

The Chena River is perhaps the best spot to fish in the area around Fairbanks and the Quartz Creek Trail, and fish such as grayling, rainbow trout, and Dolly Varden trout are common. King and silver salmon can also be caught during particular seasons. Paddling, canoeing, kayaking, and rafting are popular along the Birch Creek Wild and Scenic River, which is located in the nearby Steese National Conservation Area.

Climbing

There are many locations near the Quartz Creek Trail that are excellent for rock climbing. The Mount Prindle headwall offers several routes of varying difficulty. The Grapefruit Rocks also offer over 100 sport, traditional, bouldering, and top-rope routes.

Wildlife Viewing

Visitors can spot wildlife right from the Quartz Creek Trail, but the nearby Chena River State Recreation Area, the Steese National Conservation Area, and several locations within the White Mountains National Recreation Area also offer fantastic wildlife viewing. Visitors can usually spot moose, elk, caribou, beavers, foxes, and many bird species. Lynx, wolves, and both black and brown bears are also common in the area.

Picnicking

The Tanana Lakes Recreation Area is one of the best picnic spots because it offers easy access to a range of recreational activities throughout the year. It also has several covered picnic table areas, and there is plenty of open space for play or picnicking with a blanket.

Snowmobiling, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, and Dog Sledding

Winter activities are very popular in the area, and visitors can use almost any of the area’s hiking or OHV trails for skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, or even dog sledding. The Quartz Creek Trail, for example, is excellent for snowmobiling. Check each trail’s rating and difficulty to find out if it’s a good fit for each activity.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

BLM RV camping options in the area include the Mount Prindle Campground, which offers several smaller RV spots. There are few amenities, but the campground is perfect for a rugged camping experience and offers gorgeous views of the landscape. The Cripple Creek Campground in the Steese National Conservation Area also offers several RV spots, and water and toilets are available. The Tanana Valley Campground & RV Park is a good choice for a local RV camping option with more amenities. The campground offers electrical hookups, a laundry area, and a dump station. Each site has a picnic table and a fire pit.

Free Camping

Bureau of Land Management free camping is available at 48 Mile Pond. This dispersed camping area is relatively primitive and remote, but each site has a picnic table and a fire pit, and toilets are available.

RV Rentals Near Quartz Creek Trail Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Quartz Creek Trail BLM trip

Quartz Creek Trail and the surrounding area are home to several large animals, including predatory animals. If you see a wild animal of any type, observe it from a distance and don’t try to approach, frighten, or threaten it. This can help to keep both you and the animals safe.

The weather around the Quartz Creek Trail is mild during the short summer, with temperatures reaching into the 70s, but during the winter, temperatures drop considerably. Most daytime temperatures are at or below freezing, and nights are even colder. If you plan to camp nearby at any time of year, be sure to pack appropriately and wear layers. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, trails, and natural sites should always be protected to the best of visitors’ abilities, and Leave No Trace guidelines, such as being courteous to other hikers, help to ensure this. There may be few or no trash cans available in some areas, so always take all of your trash with you when you leave. Stay on the trail as much as possible so as not to disturb the plants and animals in the area. If you’re using an OHV or dirt bike on the trail, ensure that your vehicle has a spark arresting exhaust or end cap to help limit the risk of fire. If you build a fire, only build it in a controlled, designated area such as a fire pit or ring.