The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Bureau of Land Management works to protect lands across the US. You can find Bureau of Land Management campgrounds near protected lands for affordable camping. Search "BLM camping near me" to discover locations close to you. The Steese National Conservation Area was established in 1980 to protect the caribou habitat, Birch Creek Wild and Scenic River, and other important qualities of the land.
Pinnell Mountain Trail is a challenging hike with rewarding views of the White Mountains, Yukon River Valley, and the Alaska Range. Conditions are usually windy and snowy. The best time for this hike is March through October.
Length: 22.4 miles
Intensity: Hard
Twelvemile Summit Trail takes you up a summit, where you can enjoy stunning views. Come prepared for hiking on snow as the temperature is cold here throughout the year. April through September is the ideal time to make the hike.
Length: 3.1 miles
Intensity: Moderate
If you'd like an easy hike, the Chena River Nature Trail offers a relaxing experience. It's by the Chena River, and you'll have a chance of seeing moose while on the trail.
Length: 2.6 miles
Intensity: Easy
Angel Rocks Trail features geological rock formations dating back to over one million years and views of a valley. Any season of the year is a beautiful time to visit.
Length: 3.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
You can go fishing or non-motorized boating at the Birch Creek Wild and Scenic River. There are other rivers and streams in the Steese National Conservation Area where you could fish as well. Types of fish you might catch include chum salmon, king salmon, northern pike, Arctic grayling, burbot, and round whitefish.
In the Mount Prindle Research Natural Area, you can climb the Mount Prindle headwall. It has a main wall tower at 900 feet and a small wall at 300 feet. You should come prepared to camp overnight because it's difficult to get in and out within the day.
Wildlife you may spot while in the national conservation area are raptors, caribou, moose, foxes, bears, and upland bears. The Birch Creek Wild and Scenic River and the Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail are some of the areas where you might see wildlife. Dall sheep aren't common in interior Alaska, but you have a chance of seeing them in the Steese National Conservation Area.
You can have a picnic at Chena River State Recreation Area and Cripple Creek Campground. Chena River State Recreation Area features several picnic sites and boat launches. Cripple Creek Campground has picnic tables, fire rings, and toilets.
Snowmobiling is allowed on the unmarked trails in the Steese National Conservation Area. Other winter sports in the conservation area include skiing, snowshoeing, and dog sledding. Chena River State Recreation Area also has trails open for winter sports.
RV camping is available at Cripple Creek Campground, Rose Hip Campground, and Granite Tors Trail Campground. Cripple Creek Campground offers access to Chatanika River and has toilets, drinking water, and a pet-friendly policy.
Bureau of Land Management free camping isn't available near the Steese National Conservation Area. Backcountry camping is allowed in the Steese National Conservation Area. You'll need to bring your own water or come prepared to treat water from rivers and streams. Chena River Dispersed is another option for dispersed camping in the region.
Summer and winter routes aren't marked or maintained in the Steese National Conservation Area, except for the Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail. The area is large and remote, so you should bring extra supplies with you as well as essential emergency hiking and camping supplies. There are two emergency shelters, located at North Fork and Ptarmigan Creek, at the northern end of the conservation area. The weather sometimes suddenly takes a bad turn, which is why there are two emergency shelters.
The Steese National Conservation Area provides corridors for migrating caribou herds and calving grounds. It's a beautiful location that gets a lot of sun despite having a colder climate and getting a lot of snow. Not many people visit this BLM site, so you are likely to enjoy a very remote experience. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Leaving no trace is necessary to protect the remote wilderness for the enjoyment of others after you. Tundra has different rules for the disposal of human waste. Digging a cathole too deep into the tundra is damaging to the environment. The hole should only be a few inches deep. You should leave everything in the condition in which you found it. Don't carve on logs or trees or bring anything back home.
The Steese National Conservation Area is located near the city of Central, Alaska, 99730. From Fairbanks, take the Steese Highway until you reach the Steese National Conservation Area. There are several primitive roads that will take you into the area. Because only primitive roads will take you directly into the Steese National Conservation Area, you should drive a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle. Alternatively, you could take a longer walk into the conservation area or access it via a non-motorized boat on the Birch Creek Wild and Scenic River.
Ready to visit Steese National Conservation Area? 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.
