Southeast Fairbanks Census Area: Rivers and History

In the Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, travel interests range from river trips and seasonal wildlife viewing to places that tell stories of gold mining and early journeys through Alaska. If you’re looking for hotels for a trip to the region, the distinct locations and activity highlights can help you narrow down the stops you want to make.

Rivers, Nature, and Activities Throughout the Year

At Clearwater State Recreation Site, a nature trail runs along the river. In spring and fall, visitors can spot sandhill cranes, swans, geese, and other migratory birds. A boat ramp provides access to the Delta Clearwater River, where fishing opportunities include Arctic grayling, whitefish, and salmon. Fishing is subject to applicable regulations. The Delta Clearwater River also provides access to the Tanana and Goodpaster rivers and offers opportunities for river trips. Water conditions can vary.

Activities at Quartz Lake vary with the seasons: in summer, they include swimming and water skiing; in winter, ice fishing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, and skijoring. Five hiking trails offer views of the Tanana River Valley, the Alaska Range, the Shaw Creek Flats, Quartz Lake, Lost Lake, and Moose Pond. The combination of trails and changing activities makes the time of year a useful consideration when planning your trip.

Fielding Lake State Recreation Site lies at an elevation of 2,973 feet in the Alaska Range, above the tree line. Arctic grayling, lake trout, and burbot occur naturally there; the fishery is not stocked. A public-use cabin is available by reservation. Check reservation options before your trip. River trips are also a focus at Fortymile Wild and Scenic River, where they pass through deep, forest-lined canyons and can last from one day to several weeks. The time needed depends largely on how much time you want to spend on a river trip; river conditions vary.

The Fortymile is an extensive network of creeks and rivers in east-central Alaska. Of these, 392 miles are designated as wild, scenic, or recreational sections of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The corridor provides habitat for caribou, moose, Dall sheep, grizzly and black bears, waterfowl, and raptors, including peregrine falcons, as well as other mammals and birds. Wildlife locations vary by season.

Historic Sites and Gold Mining

At Big Delta State Historical Park, Rika’s Roadhouse served travelers on the historic Valdez-to-Fairbanks Trail from 1913 to 1947. The Delta Historical Society Museum displays locally collected artifacts from 1900 to 1950, as well as historic photographs; the current exhibition lineup may change. The Alaska Highway officially ends in Delta Junction, about 100 miles southeast of Fairbanks.

Chicken preserves several reminders of the Fortymile Mining District. The Chicken Historic District includes fifteen historic buildings and one additional historic structure that tell the story of the remote village. Access restrictions may apply to individual buildings. The Pedro Dredge is a National Historic Site in Chicken. It was first used for gold mining in the Fairbanks area and moved to Chicken in 1959. F.E. Company Dredge No. 4 is also associated with gold mining: the dredge is located in Chicken, in northeastern Alaska’s Interior, on the west bank of Chicken Creek, south of the Taylor Highway and next to the remains of the F.E. Company camp on the Nora Bench claim. It is considered an outstanding example of mechanized gold-mining equipment used in the Interior in the mid-20th century. Chicken offers opportunities for recreational gold panning and guided tours of the dredges.

The Eagle Historic District was designated a National Historic Landmark on June 2, 1978. Fort Egbert includes five restored buildings, jointly managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Eagle Historical Society and Museums. From Tok, follow the route via Tetlin Junction: turn north from the Alaska Highway onto the Taylor Highway and drive 163 miles to Eagle. For another look at the history of a roadhouse, the Sullivan Roadhouse Historical Museum tells its story from its construction in 1905. Artifacts and information about the original owners and life in Alaska are among its topics. Check current access before visiting.

Local Landscapes and Getting Around

From Delta State Recreation Site, the Delta River lies directly across the highway, with the Alaska Range beyond it. On clear days, 13,832-foot Mount Hayes is also visible. The recreation site has 25 developed campsites, a picnic area, a covered picnic shelter, water, and restrooms. A municipal airstrip next to the site makes fly-in camping possible. Big Delta State Historical Park has 23 RV sites, a picnic area, restrooms, water, and a dump station. As amenities may change, check the details before your trip.

Near Chicken, Walker Fork Campground is located at milepost 82.1 on the Taylor Highway. It has 24 campsites, including 18 pull-through sites. The remote Yukon-Charley Rivers Preserve lies on the Canadian border in eastern Alaska. It can be reached via two long gravel roads, the Yukon River, or by plane; weather can affect travel. The preserve has seven public-use cabins available on a first-come, first-served basis. Availability and conditions may change, so it’s a good idea to check before your trip. Traveling the Yukon River by raft, canoe, or motorboat is a popular way to experience this historic river. The Charley River requires advanced skills and offers a wilderness experience.

Discover More Destinations

Tok, Delta Junction, Deltana, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Petersburg Census Area, Aleutians West Census Area, Wade Hampton Census Area, Hoonah-Angoon Census Area

For the broader travel overview: Alaska.