Late night view of the White Mountains from the Summit Trail a few miles past the Summit Trail Shelter, White Mountains National Recreation Area, Alaska. Sled Dog Rock is visible on the ridge in the distance on the extreme right.

White Mountains National Recreation Area Update

Updates and information for visitors.

Summer Updates

Temporary Restrictions and Closures

May 1 – May 23: motor vehicles restricted as trails dry out

As the summer season opens, on May 1, motor vehilces are restricted from the Wickersham Creek Trail, Trail Creek Trail, 23 Mile Trail and Quartz Creek Trail  to prevent damage to wet trails as they dry out for summer use. The entire area remains open to all forms of non-motorized use, including hiking, equestrian, and bicycling use.

For more details, please call BLM to speak to one of the White Mountain National Recreation Area trail crew at (907) 474-2200.

Questions? Contact the BLM Fairbanks Public Room at 907-474-2200 or 1-800-437-7021 (toll free)

May - October: Nome Creek Road construction with midweek closures and weekend delays

From 6 a.m. on Mondays to 7 p.m. on Fridays, the western part of Nome Creek Road, which leads to Ophir Creek Campground from Nome Creek Bridge, may be closed for road improvements and culvert replacement to improve drainage and reduce the likelihood of spring washouts.

During the closures, the public will not be able to access recreation sites along the road, including Table Top Mountain Trail, Nome Creek Airstrip, Moose Creek Landing, Ophir Creek Campground, and the put-in for Beaver Creek Wild and Scenic River.

The road will be open on weekends, federal holidays, and for moose hunting September 1-15. For openings, travelers should expect traffic controls and delays of up to 20 minutes.

The eastern section of Nome Creek Road will not be under construction and will remain open, providing summer access to Quartz Creek Trail, Mount Prindle Campground, and upper Nome Creek.

Questions? Contact the BLM Fairbanks Public Room at 907-474-2200 or 1-800-437-7021 (toll free)

Summer recreation in the White Mountains May 1-October 14

Numerous and diverse opportunities for summer recreation can be found in the White Mountains. The summer season runs May 1 through October 14, but the transition into and out of winter is variable, so season modifications or other restrictions are sometimes needed. Modifications will be included here and shared on facebook.

During the summer, motorized vehicle use is limited to protect sensitive resources, however, the entire area is open to all forms of non-motorized use, including hiking, equestrian, and bicycling use. To help you plan your visit the Summer Recreation Map provides information about access and BLM recreation sites.

To learn more about using the BLM’s maps to navigate using your smartphone’s GPS, even in areas without cellular reception, visit the BLM Georeferenced Maps webpage .

Update April 30, 2025

Winter has come to an end. The trails have deteriorated and may be very difficult to travel.

Summer limitations are in effect May 1 - October 14, with temporary motor vehicle restrictions starting May 1 to allow time for trails to dry out. The trails should dry out to be ready for OHVs in time for the Memorial Day Weekend starting on May 23.

This summer, recreation opportunities may be impacted by the Nome Creek Road construction, but there many other great places to enjoy. If you want help finding a place to avoid the contruction, contact the BLM Fairbanks Public Room at 907-474-2200 or 1-800-437-7021 (toll free) or stop by 222 University Avenue, Fairbanks, Alaska.

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.

Main points of access along the Elliott Highway include Wickersham Dome Trailhead at mile 28, and Colorado Creek Trailhead at mile 57. On the Steese Highway, main access is at McKay Creek Trailhead at mile 42.

Note that the U.S. Creek Road at mile 57 and the Nome Creek Road are not maintained during the winter, but they sometimes have regular use that packs trails.

During the winter season, the White Mountains are open to the use of snowmobiles weighing up to 1000 pounds curb weight and up to 50 inches wide in addition to all forms of non-motorized use. Winter trails are open to both snowmobiles and nonmotorized users, except for the non-motorized Ski Loop Trail and Summit Trail leaving from Wickersham Dome Trailhead.

Wheeled off-highway vehicles (OHVs) are not allowed on the White Mountains National Recreation Area’s trails during the winter. In general, wheeled motor vehicles are not allowed because they churn up rocks and create ruts through the snowpack. This degrades trails for other users and makes trail grooming operations more challenging. Although there is no winter maintenance, roads in the area remain open to wheeled OHVs and highway vehicles as conditions allow. Throughout the year, these areas are open to non-motorized use, including hiking, biking and equestrian use.

Check out the Know Before You Go below for tips and links.

Here are some resources to help you plan your visit:

Map of the White Mountains National Recreation Area and Steese National Conservation area winter recreation facilities and access limitations. — Winter Recreation Map

Summer Recreation May 1 – October 14

A typical summer season runs May 1 through October 14, but the transition into and out of winter is variable, so sometimes season modifications or other restrictions are announced.

Modifications will be included here and shared on facebook.

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 managed routes are open to OHVs weighing 1,000 pounds or less curb weight and a maximum width of 50 inches. A few routes are designated for larger motor vehicles weighing up to 1,500 pounds curb weight and up to 64 inches wide, including the Quartz Creek Trail and the Wickersham Creek Trail to Lee’s Cabin from the Wickersham Dome Trailhead. Please be aware that many large OHVs, ARGOS, and four-door side-by-side UTVs are too large for use on most routes and cross-country travel on BLM-managed lands.

E-bikes are allowed on all motorized routes and two designated trails:

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.

Check out the Know Before You Go tab below for tips and links.

Here are some resources to help you plan your visit:

Trail Maps

Web Map: The new interactive Alaska Travel Management web map includes information on routes and cross-country travel areas. Toggle on and off trail and area layers for winter or summer, scroll across Alaska and zoom in to get detailed information. You can even create custom georeferenced PDF maps for use in the field by selecting print PDF.

Georeferenced PDF maps: these digital maps are designed for use on smart phones and tablets. With a free app the map shows your current location even if cell coverage is not available. Learn more about how to use these free digital maps and browse the full collection of BLM georeferenced PDF maps.

Know Before You Go

Visitors are at their own risk and should be prepared for any situation and extreme weather conditions. Weather and trail conditions change rapidly.

Share a trip plan (State Troopers form) with family or friends before you head out

Please check back here for updates before you head to the field and follow our Facebook page for regular and emergency updates.

Check the weather before you head out.
Check the highway conditions on 511.alaska.gov before you head out.
Download our maps for White Mountains on your phone for off-grid use.
Bring more water, food, and fuel than you should need for your trip.
Bring a satellite communication device, more than one if possible.
Plan for mechanical breakdowns and weather conditions to deteriorate rapidly.
If you become stranded, do not separate from your party.
Alaska is Bear Country: No matter the season, always remain bear aware.

Special Rules

The following activities are prohibited in the White Mountains National Recreation Area:

use of motorized equipment for mineral collection for personal use
camping at one site for a period longer than 10 days in any calendar year
discharging of firearms within one-quarter mile of public recreation cabins, campgrounds, as well as across or along roads and trails
leaving burning or smoldering campfires unattended
constructing permanent or semi-permanent structures, including cabins, caches, water dams or diversions without written authorization from the BLM authorized officer (subject to valid existing rights)

Campgrounds and Cabins

Campgrounds

No reservations.

Three campgrounds are open from late-May until the snow flies in October: Cripple Creek Campground, Mount Prindle Campground, and Ophir Creek Campground.

Cabins

Reservation required. Maximum 3-night stay.

Use of the public use cabins requires reservations through Recreation.gov.

Two trail shelters are free of charge and used on a first come, first served basis.

Planning and Projects

2025 Summer construction projects may impact access to recreation sites

Contact Garrett Jones at (907) 474-2200 or [email protected] for more information.

Nome Creek Road - midweek road closures May-October

From 6 a.m. on Mondays to 7 p.m. on Fridays, the western part of Nome Creek Road, which leads to Ophir Creek Campground from Nome Creek Bridge, may be closed for road improvements and culvert replacement to improve drainage and reduce the likelihood of spring washouts. During the closures, the public will not be able to access recreation sites along the road, including Table Top Mountain Trail, Nome Creek Airstrip, Moose Creek Landing, Ophir Creek Campground, and the put-in for Beaver Creek Wild and Scenic River. Road will be open on weekends, federal holidays, and for moose hunting September 1-15.
For openings, travelers should expect traffic controls and delays of up to 20 minutes.
The eastern section of Nome Creek Road will not be under construction and will remain open, providing summer access to Quartz Creek Trail, Mount Prindle Campground, and upper Nome Creek.

Nome Creek Stream Restoration - area closure June 1 - July 26:

The area along Nome Creek downstream of the bridge to just upstream of ‘the Maze’ will be closed for public safety while large equipment is in use for stream restoration work to improve fish and aquatic habitats. Learn more about BLM stream restoration in Alaska. https://www.blm.gov/programs/aquatic-resources/alaska/gravel-gravel