The Windy Creek Trail passes the scenic Limestone Jags in the White Mountains National Recreation Area.

A bicyclist pedals along frozen Fossil Creek near Windy Gap Cabin.

Caribou Bluff Cabin sits on a ridge above Fossil Creek in the White Mountains National Recreation Area.

Yukon-Koyukuk › Unorganized Borough › White Mountains National Recreation Area

White Mountains National Recreation Area - Alaska Cabins

Open

Cabins are open and accepting reservations. Spring motorized vehicle restrictions are in effect May 1 through June 15, 2026 on Wickersham Creek, Trail Creek, 23 Mile, and Quartz Creek trails. Nome Creek Road construction closes the western section Monday 6am to Friday 7pm from June 1 through September 30, 2026; the road is open weekends and federal holidays. Trail conditions are transitional with soft, wet snow in many areas.

Notify on Availability Reserve

Hydrologic Outlook issued September 4 at 1:49PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

1:49 PM — September 5th, 4:00 PM

ESFAFG ...Locations Impacted... Goldstream Valley and Nenana Hills-Lower Koyukuk Valley-Central Interior-Dalton Highway Summits-Eielson AFB and Salcha-Two Rivers-Upper Chena River Valley-White Mountains and High Terrain South of the Yukon River-Upper Koyukuk Valley-Middle Yukon Valley-Nenana-Chatanika River Valley-Fairbanks Metro Area 24 Hour rainfall totals across portions of the Western and Central Interior have generally been between 0.75 and 1.25 inches due to widespread moderate rainfall. This is a direct result of an atmospheric river which continues to focus higher than normal levels of moisture across the region. Additional rainfall of .50 to as much as 1.50" inches will be possible Friday evening through Saturday afternoon as a disturbance aloft moves through and further interacts with the available atmospheric moisture. Should this occur, 48 hours rainfall will coincide with 5 to 10 year return intervals with locations receiving the heaviest rainfall closer to 25 year return intervals. While main stem rivers will be able to handle this extra volume of water, some of the smaller feeder streams and rivers could see near bankfull to minor flooding conditions. In addition increased stream flows are expected for the next few days, so anyone planning recreation activities on or along these waterways should exercise extreme caution and be on the lookout for rapidly rising water levels.

About

The White Mountains National Recreation Area, managed by the BLM, encompasses one million acres of subarctic wilderness about an hour's drive north of Fairbanks. The area features 13 public-use log cabins available by reservation, plus two free first-come-first-served trail shelters. Winter is the primary season, when visitors travel by ski, snowshoe, fat bike, dog team, or snowmobile along 250 miles of groomed trails to reach the remote cabins. Each cabin provides bunks with sleeping platforms for up to eight people, a table with benches, a woodstove for heating, a propane cookstove, and basic tools including an ax and bowsaw. An outhouse is located outside each cabin. The cabins have no electricity or running water. Visitors must bring their own drinking water or water treatment system, food, sleeping bags and pads, toilet paper, propane canisters, matches, and garbage bags for packing out trash. Most cabins become difficult to access once snow melts in late spring, though Fred Blixt Cabin and Lee's Cabin see regular summer use. Reservations cost $42 per night plus an $8 Recreation.gov service fee, with a maximum stay of three consecutive nights per cabin. Check-in and check-out is noon to noon. Dogs are allowed but owners must clean up after their animals.

Directions

From Fairbanks, take the Steese Highway north through Fox. Trailheads are located at Milepost 42 and Milepost 57 of the Steese Highway. Alternatively, take the Elliott Highway north from Fox with trailhead access at Milepost 28 and Milepost 57.