The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Any outdoor enthusiast who finds themselves traveling near Fairbanks, AK should consider visiting the Wickersham Creek Trail. The trail area is administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a federal government agency that protects more than 800 individual sites across the United States. The BLM-maintained natural areas are diverse and offer all kinds of recreational opportunities and landmarks for visitors to enjoy. There may be sites in your area that you can find by searching "BLM camping near me" to spend some time connecting with nature. The Wickersham Creek Trail regularly attracts hikers, many of whom also make a point to visit the nearby Chena River State Recreation Area, where there are many forms of outdoor fun to be enjoyed.
The Wickersham Creek Trail is the main feature of the BLM site. The out-and-back route takes hikers along a forested ridgeline where they'll enjoy impressive views of the nearby Alaska Range and White Mountains. Then, there's a steep drop, followed by a gradual descent through spruce bog lowlands. The route regularly has overflow ice in certain areas, and those who traverse it should practice caution.
Length: 19.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The Angel Rocks Trail is a scenic loop trail located within the Chena River State Recreation Area. Visitors will enjoy stunning views of the Chena Valley and probably plenty of peace and quiet. In addition to hiking, the trail is an excellent destination for trail running and snowshoeing, depending on when you're there. If you visit during or after significant rainfall, be aware that the route can get quite muddy. The trail is open all year, and leashed dogs are permitted.
Length: 3.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Another wonderful trail within the Chena River State Recreation Area is the Chena Dome Trail, which is an extremely long loop trail. The trail is perfect for hiking, backpacking, and bird-watching, and there are lots of nice places to camp along the route. Visitors to the trail will enjoy superlative views of the region, and there will also be a good chance of spotting some wildlife.
Length: 30.1 miles
Intensity: Hard
The nearest significant body of water to the Wickersham Creek Trail is the Chena River, which flows southeast of the BLM site. The river features a popular catch-and-release Arctic grayling fishery, and there are also several ponds in the Chena River State Recreation Area that are regularly stocked with rainbow trout and Arctic grayling. If you're looking to do some boating, the Chena River features several access points and is frequently utilized for canoeing, kayaking, and rafting.
Perhaps the most popular climbing area near the Wickersham Creek Trail is Mount Prindle, which is found within the Steese National Conservation Area. Mount Prindle boasts two significant walls, featuring many established routes of varying difficulties. The rock at the site is granite and is generally very high quality. The area is pretty remote, and although it is popular in the region, there's still a good chance that your party will have it all to yourselves.
Alaska is known for its amazing wildlife, and the area around the Wickersham Creek Trail is no exception. Because of the significant body of water it contains, your best opportunities for wildlife observation may be found at the Chena River State Recreation Area. There, unique creatures like moose, beavers, hoary marmots, pika, ptarmigan, wolves, caribou, and red foxes are known to make their homes. Don't forget to watch the skies above; several species of eagles can often be spotted soaring overhead.
You won't find any picnic areas around the trail, but you do have a couple of options if you want to enjoy a meal in the great outdoors. One great choice is to find a nice, pleasant spot to put down a large towel or picnic blanket and eat there. Alternatively, you could head to the nearby Wickersham Creek Trail Shelter, a small log cabin featuring a cooking counter and a woodstove. There, you could actually cook up something a bit tastier than your typical picnic fare and have yourself a gourmet picnic.
If you like roughing it in a remote natural environment, BLM RV camping will be a fantastic option for you near the Wickersham Creek Trail. Granted, there are no Bureau of Land Management campgrounds at the site, and you can't camp on the actual trail. So if you don't want to go the route of dispersed camping, you'll want to travel south to reach one of the nearest campgrounds or RV parks. A couple of nice primitive campgrounds that accommodate RVs are the Whitefish Campground & Boat Launch and the Olnes Pond Campground. Alternatively, you can travel a bit farther south and stay at the Northern Moosed RV Park & Campground, which offers full hookups and a nice selection of amenities.
For anyone looking to camp overnight near the Wickersham Creek Trail, Bureau of Land Management free camping will pretty much be the only option. All of the area's campgrounds are several miles away, but dispersed camping is permitted throughout the site.
If you're planning a trip to the Wickersham Creek Trail, you'll definitely want to take precautions for the possibility that you will encounter bears. Both grizzlies and black bears are known to inhabit the area, and if they smell your food, they will try to get to it. Keep your food packed away, and come prepared with bear spray.
The Wickersham Creek Trail is pretty remote and fairly far from any towns, so it would be a good idea to keep a fully stocked emergency kit. First-aid supplies and lots of extra food and water should be packed into your RV when you leave for the site. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
The BLM asks that you adhere to the Leave No Trace principles while visiting the Wickersham Creek Trail. To keep your impact at a minimum and preserve the land, please make sure you only establish your campsite on durable land. Always pack out your trash and leave every natural thing you find where it is.
To reach the Wickersham Creek Trail from Fairbanks, merge onto AK-2 W and follow it for approximately 37 miles. At that point, there should be a right turn-off from AK-2 W with signs for the BLM trailhead, which is located roughly 1.7 miles from the highway.
Ready to visit Wickersham 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.
