the snowy mountains are lit with alpenglow. The valley below is filled with snow-laden spruce trees. The snowmachine track leads into the woods toward the mountains.

White Mountains National Recreation Area Update

Trail condition updates and information for visitors.

Alaska is Bear Country

Spring is here and the bears are active! This week, visitors reported seeing bear tracks on Windy Creek Trail and Big Bend Trail. Always be prepared for bear encounters when traveling in Alaska and be sure to remove food and secure cabins when you leave. To help you prepare, the BLM Know Before You Go webpage includes tips for bear safety. 

 

Winter recreation in the White Mountains 

The winter limitations will be in effect through April 30, unless modifications are announced for the winter-to-summer transition in the spring. Modifications will be included here and shared on facebook.

During the winter, 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.

To better understand the winter limitations and winter recreation opportunities in the White Mountains National Recreation Area and the neighboring Steese National Recreation Area, the public can use the Winter Recreation Map. This map includes boundaries and trails to help with navigation, especially when traveling in areas that are not well-marked.

Orange reflectors and tripod markers are placed along trails to help locate the trails but should never be relied on for route finding. To learn more about how to use the BLM’s maps to navigate using your smartphone’s GPS, even in areas without cellular reception, visit the BLM Georeferenced Maps webpage.

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

 

Upcoming Events 

Transition to Summer Travel Limitations 

Stay tuned for modifications to the transition date from winter to summer limitations. Currently summer limitations begin May 1. 

As the summer travel limitations take effect, the Wickersham Creek Trail, Trail Creek Trail, and Quartz Creek Trail will be temporarily closed to off-highway vehicles to prevent damage to wet trails during the transition to summer. 

Monitor this webpage for up-to-date access information or call us at (907) 474-2200.

  

2025 Summer construction at Wickersham Dome Trailhead and the Nome Creek Valley

Contruction will impact access to the recreation sites with closures planned for Nome Creek Valley. 

For more details about access during construction see the Planning and Projects tab at the bottom of the page.

 

Conditions Update - April 11, 2025

A red and yellow snowmobile riding upslope in front of a snow covered, rocky slope on a blue-sky day.
Climbing out of Fossil Creek.

The BLM recreation staff maintain several multi-use trails for winter recreation and to access to 13 reservable public use cabins. We update this report throughout the winter to provide information about trail maintenance efforts and trail conditions.

Updates are generally published on Fridays to share the work the BLM has done each week.

Monitor this webpage and follow us on Facebook: BLM-White Mountains National Recreation Area.

The area is remote, so visitors should always be prepared to self-rescue. Even when planning for a day trip, always be prepared to spend the night. Equipment problems, rapidly changing weather conditions, or unexpected mishaps can leave you stranded far from help. Check out the Know Before You Go tab below for tips and resources to help you prepare.

Visitors should always use extra caution and inspect creek and river crossings, even if others have previously crossed. Although trail conditions may be good, some creeks, ponds and rivers may not be safe or may become unsafe. Some trails have bumpy conditions and steep gully crossings. 

As temperatures continue to increase, expect thin ice, overflow, and open water. Use of Fossil Gap Trail is not recommended due to hazardous ice conditions on the beaver pond.  Visitors shared a report of open water on the Big Bend Trail near Wickersham Creek Trail. 

The freeze-thaw cycle makes the trails too hard to groom, so grooming operations are over for the season. With heavy use and no grooming the first 5 miles of the Wickersham Dome Trail is very bumpy.

This week the recreation staff continued work on cabin maintenance and spring cleaning. Help them out, by cleaning and securing cabins when you leave.  If you notice something needs to be replaced or repaired, please let us know at (907) 474-2200 or EasternInterior@blm.gov. 

Each week, as the BLM continues to work on the trails, we will continue to update the trail list below. For more details, please call BLM to speak to one of the White Mountain National Recreation Area trail crew at (907) 474-2200. 

Currently, summer limitations will begin May 1. Monitor facebook and this webpage for information about the transition from winter to summer limitations. 

 

Elliott Highway Trails   

    

Steese Highway Trails   

  • McKay Creek Trail - Groomed 2/28/2025 - Groomed to Cache Mt. Cabin

  • Lower Nome Creek Trail - Groomed 2/28/2025 - Groomed to Nome Creek Rd. 

  • U.S. Creek and Nome Creek Roads - no report from recreation staff but a winter trail has formed from public use. Expect wind drifts. 

Backcountry Trails   

 

Temporary Restrictions and Closures

No temporary restrictions or closures in effect

Planning for temporary closures in the summer 2025 for construction. See the Planning and Projects tab for more information. 

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:

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.

Map highlighting trails closed temporarily for spring in the White Mountains National Recreation Area.

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 gjones@blm.gov for more information. ​

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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

Wickersham Dome Trailhead parking area expansion - dates to be determined

  • Trails will remain open during construction. Alternative parking and short trail re-routes may be needed. 
Contact Us

For up-to-date information or questions about visiting the White Mountains or other BLM-managed lands here are some ways you can reach us:

 

Point of Contact

White Mountains National Recreation Area

Trail Crew and Recreation Staff

(907) 474-2200

 

Fairbanks District Office

222 University Ave

Fairbanks, Alaska

Cabin Reservations

Recreation.gov