Leave No Trace 
While you're visiting the Summit Trail, please be respectful of the natural land and make an effort to minimize your impact. If you decide to set up a dispersed campsite, make sure the surface you're camping on is durable land.
BLM Camping
Summit Trail
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Located roughly 30 miles north of Fairbanks, AK, the Summit Trail is a beautiful hiking trail featuring peaceful scenery and breathtaking views. The trail is also one of many natural areas in Alaska under the protection of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Unlike many BLM sites, no Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are found at the Summit Trail, but primitive BLM camping is still a popular activity in the area. In addition to hiking and camping, the trail and surrounding area offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy biking, horseback riding, winter sports, and wildlife viewing.
The BLM administers over 800 sites in the United States, each one offering unique scenery, landmarks, and recreational activities. To find the closest BLM sites to your area, search online for "BLM camping near me" or browse the BLM website.
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Summit Trail to Wickersham Dome
The main attraction at the BLM site is the Summit Trail to Wickersham Dome. The long out-and-back trail features some steep climbs and quite a bit of overall elevation gain, but the views only get more and more spectacular as you ascend the route. In addition to hiking, the trail is a fantastic destination for cross-country skiing during the winter months. Dogs are allowed on the route, but they'll have to be leashed at all times.
Length: 7.0 miles
Intensity: Hard
Birch Hill White Bear Loop
The Birch Hill White Bear Loop trail is located near Fairbanks and offers visitors the opportunity for peaceful solitude. The long loop trail is perfect for both hiking and trail running, taking visitors through a serene forested area. Certain sections of the loop can get pretty muddy, and there are some fairly steep climbs to traverse. All who hike the trail should keep their eyes open for moose and other amazing wildlife. The best times to visit are between May and September.
Length: 6.1 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Monument Creek Trail
Another beautiful trail near Fairbanks is the Monument Creek Trail, a pleasant loop trail that's suitable for hikers of all skill levels. Those who visit the route can also enjoy bird-watching, biking, or running, and there's a very good chance of spotting some of the local wildlife. The trail is kid-friendly, and you can bring your pups as long as they remain leashed.
Length: 2.9 miles
Intensity: Easy
Fishing and Boating
One of the best fishing destinations near the Summit Trail is Beaver Creek, which flows into the majestic Yukon River. Depending on which section of the stream you visit, you'll have a fantastic chance of catching either Arctic grayling or northern pike. There are also several quality destinations for kayaking and canoeing in the area. You can take your non-motorized boat out on either the Yukon, Tanana, or Chena River.
Climbing
There are scattered opportunities for climbing in the region around the Summit Trail. Depending on where you go, you can find quality spots for bouldering, traditional climbing, and sport climbing. One great option is the Tanana River Bluffs, where you'll find several traditional routes. You could also go bouldering in the Tatlanika area or enjoy some sport climbing at the Grapefruit Rocks.
Wildlife Viewing
For anyone who enjoys observing cool wildlife, Alaska is always an excellent place to visit, and the Summit Trail area is no exception. While you're hiking, climbing, or camping around the BLM site, you may just get a glimpse of a caribou, moose, mountain goat, lynx, gray wolf, red fox, wolverine, or bear. The region offers wonderful bird-watching opportunities as well, with various raptors and songbirds frequently gliding through the skies.
Picnicking
Although picnic tables may be few and far between around the Summit Trail, there are still some excellent spots to hunker down and enjoy lunch. One of the most popular options is to hike the BLM trail until you reach the Wickersham Dome summit. There, you can lay out a picnic blanket and eat while looking out over the vast Alaskan wilderness.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
You're welcome to partake in BLM RV camping around the Summit Trail, but you won't have access to any established camping areas at the site. So if you want to camp near the actual BLM site, you'll need to create your own camping setup and provide for yourself. Otherwise, you can do your RV camping at one of the many campgrounds or RV parks in and around nearby Fairbanks. There are many peaceful, well-maintained camping destinations to choose from, and a couple of reputable options are the Tanana Valley Campground & RV Park and the Moose Loop RV Campground.
Free Camping 
While you can't set up your campsite on the actual hiking trail, the area around the Summit Trail is a perfect destination for Bureau of Land Management free camping. The site is mostly covered in dense woodlands, so you should be able to find a secluded, serene spot for your dispersed camping experience.
RV Rentals Near Summit Trail Plan your next adventure
Planning your Summit Trail BLM trip
Anyone planning a trip to the Summit Trail should be prepared for the remote location of the site. Because the trail is more than 25 miles from any actual town, it won't be convenient to make any sort of trip for supplies or equipment. And if there's any kind of emergency, it will be a significant journey to reach any source of help or medical attention. For that reason, it'd be wise to bring lots of extra food and drinking water as well as first-aid supplies and anything else you anticipate needing.
Visitors to the BLM site should also be aware that both black bears and grizzly bears are known to inhabit the region. If you leave any food out or in an unsealed container, you may attract one or more of the creatures to your campsite. So keep your food completely sealed and bring along some bear spray to be safe. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Leave No Trace
Summit Trail Location
To reach the Summit Trail BLM site from Fairbanks, travel northbound on the Elliott Highway until you reach milepost 28. Turn right and you'll reach the Wickersham Dome parking lot, which is where the Summit Trail begins.
Ready to visit Summit 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.