White Mountains National Recreation Area Camping
notifications Text me when there's a cancellation at White Mountains National Recreation Area
Overview
A brief introduction to White Mountains National Recreation Area
Overview
Located about an hour's drive from Fairbanks, Alaska, off the Steese and Elliott Highways, the one-million-acre, White Mountains National Recreation Area offers stunning scenery, peaceful solitude, and outstanding opportunities for recreation.
The White Mountains has three campgrounds, 13 public use cabins and two trail shelters providing various opportunities to enjoy the area throughout the year.
Winter Recreation October 15 - April 30
Reaching the heart of the White Mountains becomes much easier in the winter, when creeks, rivers, and bogs are frozen. In winter, visitors travel by ski, snowshoe, fatbike dog team and snowmobile to enjoy the 13 public-use cabins and 250 miles of groomed trails that make the White Mountains one of Interior Alaska's premier winter destinations.
Most of White Mountains winter trails are open to both snowmobiles and nonmotorized users, except for the non-motorized Ski Loop Trail and Summit Trail.
Summer Recreation May 1 – October 14
During the short summers, visitors hike, float, hunt, fish, pan for gold and camp under Alaska's 'midnight sun.'
Nome Creek valley is one of the prime access points for summer recreation with access to two campgrounds, trails, a gold-panning area and a departure point for float trips on Beaver Creek Wild and Scenic River. It can be reached via the US Creek Road, Steese Highway Milepost 57. These gravel roads can be bumpy but are suitable for use by highway vehicles.
To protect sensitive resources, vehicles must remain on BLM routes designated for their use unless traveling in an area designated open to cross-country motorized travel. The entire area is open to all forms of non-motorized use, so feel free to explore off-trail.
The most popular places to ride OHV’s is in the Nome Creek tailings and the Quartz Creek Trail.
Most of the cabins become difficult to reach in the summer, but a few are regularly used such as Fred Blixt Cabin and Lee’s Cabin.
Camping
Cabin reservations can be made 45 days in advance through recreation.gov. The two trail shelters are available first come-first served. Three campgrounds are open from late-May until the snow flies in October: Cripple Creek Campground, Mount Prindle Campground, and Ophir Creek Campground. There’s no permit needed to camp outside the developed areas, just keep in mind that dispersed camping is limited to 10 days and is prohibited in the area’s three Research Natural Areas to protect resources.
Wickersham Dome (Lower Tanana: Khoodeneldeł) is a summit in the Yukon–Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, located 27 miles (43 km) northwest of Fairbanks near the Elliott Highway. It is named after Wickersham Creek, which heads on the southeast slope of Wickersham Dome. The creek itself is named for James Wickersham.
It is a popular hiking destination in the White Mountains National Recreation Area.
Read more about White Mountains National Recreation Area at Wikipedia
ARE White Mountains National Recreation Area campsites SOLD OUT?
We can help! Many campsite reservations are cancelled daily. Just tell us when you’d like to camp at White Mountains National Recreation Area, and how long you want to camp for. We’ll text you when a suitable spot opens up!
Scan for cancellationsContact White Mountains National Recreation Area
- Recreation.gov
- Booking site: https://www.recreation.gov
Spotted an error?
Whoops! Sometimes we make mistakes. Want to help improve the White Mountains National Recreation Area listing? Please suggest a correction.
Other nearby parks
Open to camping at other nearby parks? Here are a few other parks you'll find in the vicinity.
Reviews
Camper reviews for White Mountains National Recreation Area
Be the first to post a review of White Mountains National Recreation Area!
How was your visit to White Mountains National Recreation Area? Share your review of White Mountains National Recreation Area and help fellow nature-lovers make an informed decision.
Post a reviewPlease be nice. Around here, we try to be helpful, inclusive, and constructive.
Map
View a map of White Mountains National Recreation Area
UNABLE TO RESERVE A CAMPSITE?
Get notified when a sold-out campground has availability
Tell us when, where, and how long you want to camp for. We’ll notify you (via SMS) when a suitable spot opens up at that campground—so you can nab that sold-out campsite reservation!
