Cabin Descriptions - Northern Area

Twin Bears Camp

Salcha River State Recreation Site,

Birch Lake State Recreation Area,

Quartz Lake State Recreation Area,

Fielding Lake State Recreation Area,

Chena River State Recreation Area (near Fairbanks)

The Chena River State Recreation Area is located 26 miles east of Fairbanks in the hills of the upper Chena Valley. Its 254,000 acres cover the bottom of the valley to the tops of the ridges - and beyond - along a winding stretch of the Chena River.

The cabins in the Chena State Recreation Area are all very similar. Furnishings include plywood sleeping platforms, a kitchen counter, shelves, table and benches, and an outdoor latrine. There are also an airtight wood stove, propane lantern - disposable propane cylinders not provided, fire extinguisher, bow saw, ax, and broom. Wood is hard to find at some cabins, so gather dead and down wood on your way in.

North Fork Cabin The weather in the interior of Alaska is quite different from other regions. An average temperature during the summer may be 70° to 80°, but during the winter months temperatures range from -40° to 15°.

Summer activities include boating, fishing for Arctic grayling, hiking and berry picking opportunities. There are designated trails for horses and all terrain vehicles. Dog mushing, snowmachining, trapping, and cross country skiing are but a few of the opportunities available in the winter season.

Moose are frequently spotted in the recreation area; as well as, eagles, beavers, porcupine and other small mammals. Black bears are occasionally sighted in the river corridor, but Grizzly bears have only been sighted in back country travel. Please report any threatening animal behavior to park staff.

Alaska State Parks will no longer be stocking firewood at the three road accessible public use cabins in Chena River State Recreation Area. The three cabins are: the Chena River Cabin at mile 32.2 Chena Hot Springs Road (CHSR); the Hunt Memorial Cabin at mile 42.3 CHSR; and the North Fork Cabin at 47.8 mile CHSR.

Chena River Cabin (20' X 24')

Sleeps 9 (maximum 9) with a maximum stay of 5 nights per month. This cabin can be accessed year 'round, by road or river. $40 non-peak / $50 peak per night. Located at Mile 32.2 Chena Hot Springs Road, this new, large, log cabin is nestled in amongst large spruce and birch trees. The Chena River PUC is designed to accommodate visitors who need extra accessibility. Bring your own supply of firewood. Visitors should anticipate some snow removal may be needed to make the facility fully accessible in the winter. The front porch has ramp access and there is a ramp to the accessibly-designed outhouse. The cabin looks out on the Chena River, with a large 8' porch and a short trail leading to a large gravel river bar. Chena River Cabin Fact Sheet and Map (pdf)

Colorado Creek Cabin (12' X 16')

ACCESS ALERT: The 5.8 mile Colorado Creek Trail is extremely wet and not available for summer use. This is a winter route to the cabin. During summer use, access the cabin by the Compeau Trail located at 29.8 mile Chena Hot Springs Road. Take the Compeau Trail to the dozer line and proceed east numerous miles until you see signage indicating access to the Colorado Cabin, taking the trail south down to the cabin.

Note: This trail is closed each spring during break-up from April 20th through May 25th. For more information and trail openings contact the Northern Area office at 451-2698.

Sleeps 4 (maximum 4). $20 non-peak / $25 peak per night with a maximum stay of 5 nights per month. Winter access: by snowmachine, dog team, skis, or snowshoe. Access the cabin at 31.6 Chena Hot Springs Road. Summer access: by 4 wheeler, or other approved travel mode appropriate for the season, at the Compeau Trail head at 29.8 mile Chena Hot Springs Road. Follow blue and black diamonds at the Compeau Trail and blue diamonds on the winter use trail at 31.6 mile. Hikers can access both trail, however, the winter trail is extremely wet during the summer. Colorado Creek Cabin Fact Sheet and Map (pdf) GPS 06-516-393E, 72-05-004N.

Upper Angel Creek Cabin (12' X 16')
Upper Angel Creek PUC

Sleeps 5 (maximum 5). $20 non-peak / $25 peak per night with a maximum stay of 5 nights per month. Winter access:by snowmachine, dog team, skis, or snowshoe. The trailhead is located at 50.5 mile Chena Hot Springs Road. The trail starts at the northwest corner of the parking area. Follow the yellow diamond markers 6.7 miles to the cabin. The water supply is seasonally available from snow and/or creek. Summer access: Note: The new re-route (Angel Creek Hillside Trail) providing summer access to the Upper and Lower Angel Creek cabins is closed each spring during break-up from April 20th through May 22nd. For more information and trail openings contact the Northern Area office at 451-2698. Hikers may use the lowlands, however the trail is extremely wet and not advised. Angel Creek Cabins Fact Sheet and Map (pdf) GPS 06-531-902E, 72-12-129N.

Lower Angel Creek Cabin (20' X 24')

Sleeps 9. $20 non-peak / $25 peak per night with a maximum stay of 5 nights per month. Winter access: by snow machine, dog team, skis, bike, or snowshoes. The trailhead is located at 50.5 mile Chena Hot Springs Road. Two trails take you to the cabin. The most direct route is via Angel Creek Trail. This winter only route is three miles long and follows the valley floor. The other route is the year-round Angel Creek Hillside Trail that climbs out of the valley and follows the hillside for 5 ½ miles before descending to the cabin. The summer access provides motorized access to both the Upper and Lower Angel Creek cabins. This multi-use trail closes each spring during break-up from April 20th through May 22nd. For more information and trail openings contact the Northern Area office at 451-2698. Only foot traffic is allowed during break-up. Water is seasonally available from snow or Angel Creek. Angel Creek Cabins Fact Sheet and Map (pdf)

Stiles Creek Cabin (12' X 14')

Sleeps 6 (maximum 6) with a maximum stay of 5 nights per month. Stiles Creek Trail is temporarily closed to all but foot traffic during spring break-up (April 20th through May 25th). $20 non-peak / $25 peak per night. Located about mid-way on a 15 mile loop ridge trail, this cabin can be reached year 'round, using the trail travel mode appropriate for the season. Follow the red trail markers for the Stiles Creek Trail from the trailhead at either Mile 31.6 or Mile 36.4 Chena Hot Springs Road. Rebuilt in 1998, it has a nice view of the Chena River valley, from its 4' porch. The cozy log cabin offers a sleeping platform on the main floor and a half-loft sleeping area above. Stiles Creek Cabin Fact Sheet and Map (pdf) GPS 06-525-121E, 72-04-448N.

Nugget Creek Cabin (10' X 12')
The trailhead is located on the south side of 31.4 mile Chena Hot Springs Road. $20 non-peak / $25 peak per night with a maximum stay of 5 nightsper month.Winter Access: by snowmachine, dog team, skis, or snowshoes. The 6.4 mile trail is marked with green diamonds starting at the Chena River. As you enter onto the river, travel west approximately .5 miles until at the green marker, noting the trail, you cross the river. There is often thin ice or open water, even in late winter, so use caution. Summer Access: The 31.4 mile trail access is not appropriate for summer use. However, there is summer access to the cabin at mile 36.4 across the Chena Hot Springs Road from the entrance to the shooting range. The 5.4 mile Mist Creek Trail is for the more experienced and hardy adventurer. Marked by green and black diamonds, the hiker must cross the Chena River, then traverse his way through .25 miles of swampy lowland. Then, start climbing up the ridgeline until the top is reached, at approximately 2.3 miles. The view is spectacular and intersects with an old dozer trail headed down the mountain and south toward the cabin. This trail is not regularly maintained or marked with green and black diamond markers from the halfway mark. There are, however, strips of red tape that will assist on the way. Note: The trail will be marked in its entirety with green and black diamonds by the end of winter 2010).

Sleeps 3 (maximum 3). This cozy log cabin offers 3 platform bunks and sits above the South Fork of the Chena River with a maximum stay of 5 nights per month.
Nugget Creek Cabin Fact Sheet and Map (pdf) GPS 06-523-681E, 71-90-744N.

Click here for more information on Chena River State Recreation Area.

Twin Bears Camp, in Chena River State Recreation Area

Twin Bears Camp is a state park facility available for rent by any individual or group. The camp is located at milepost 30 on the Chena Hot Springs Road, about 35 miles east of Fairbanks. It is on a small, secluded lake in a rustic, woodland setting within the Chena River State Recreation Area. Twin Bears Camp is operated by the Fairbanks Rescue Mission under permit with the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation.

The camp features twelve rustic cabins with sleeping platforms for 6 to 8 each, and two insulated handicap-accessible buildings (25'x40') with heat, lights and cooking facilities. In summer, hot and cold running water and electricity are available, enabling a full-service kitchen, shower houses, and laundry. There is also a volleyball court, horseshoe pit, basketball hoop, baseball field, and group fire ring with picnic tables at the pond's edge. In winter, woodstoves provide heat, propane fuels lights and cooking burners, and mattresses on the floor provide sleeping space. A five-kilometer cross-country ski trail loop is available, and snowmobilers have easy access to the nearby Chena Hot Springs Winter Trail and connecting trails.

Reservations may be made by writing or calling the Twin Bears Association (address and phone number listed below). Camp facilities may be occupied from noon of the first day reserved to noon of the last day reserved. Discounts are available for groups who do volunteer work at the camp. The entire camp can be rented, or the mess hall or the recreation hall can be rented individually during the year as public use cabins. See information below.

Services and Rates:

Primitive: recreation hall with propane and cabins, no power or water: $10/person/night ($100 minimum)
Basic: all buildings and propane, no power or water: $12/person/night (($120 minimum)
Deluxe: all buildings, water, power and propane: $14/person/night ($140 minimum)

A $50 reservation/maintenance deposit is due within 10 days of making a reservation. This fee will be returned or credited to user fees if the camp is left in the condition it was found. There is a cancellation policy.

Twin Bears Camp
P. O. Box 73250
Fairbanks, AK 99707-3250
Phone: (907) 452-5343
Fax: 451-7058

Birch Lake State Recreation Site (near Fairbanks)

This facility is nestled between the lily pad-covered lake and forested wetlands. There are 17 long parking spaces for vehicle with trailers, or motorhomes. There are 8 tent camping sites and additional tables, fireplaces, and sitting benches for day use.

Birch Lake has a developed boat launch and boat tie-ups, drinking water well, toilet, and caretaker/public use cabin. Firewood is available for sale during the summer. Users should Birch Lake Cabin bring their own firewood, especially in winter for use in the cabin, since there is not much left to scavenge in the surrounding forest. Only "dead and down" wood is allowable for firewood. Birch Lake does not have firewood or a woodshed

The lake is popular with fishers, jet-skiers, and water skiers in the summer, and with snowmachiners and ice fishers in the winter. There is excellent fishing all year for stocked species: rainbow trout, king and silver salmon, grayling and arctic char. Fishing during the open water months is best from a boat. Ice fishing huts are available for rent, usually between November and April.

During the winter months, State Parks offers day use ice fishing huts for rent.

The road to the lake (ice fishing huts) and the cabin is not plowed in the winter, so a 4-wheel-drive is advisable. It is only a couple hundred feet from the plowed access road to the lake and cabin.

Salcha River State Recreation Site (near Fairbanks)

Salcha River SRS is 40 miles southeast of Fairbanks just off the Richardson Highway and next to the Salcha River. Winter activities include snowmachining up or down the river (when frozen) and cross country skiing. Its location makes it a great get-away from Fairbanks. The cabin is furnished with a wood stove (for heating only), table, seats, propane lantern - disposable propane cylinders not included, broom, a saw and shovel. Wood can be brought, or gather dead and down wood nearby. Salcha River Cabn does not have firewood or a woodshed. For water, renters need to melt snow in the winter, or use the river. Please be sure to purify the water.

Quartz Lake State Recreation Area (near Delta Junction)

Quartz Lake SRA is known for its excellent sport fishing and often attracts large crowds. Rainbow trout, silver salmon and arctic char are stocked in Quartz Lake. Nearby Lost Lake is stocked on an annual basis with catch able size rainbow trout. The fish might not survive the winter, though. It's a favorite spot for those who want to avoid the crowds. A variety of hiking trails and boating opportunities are available in this area. Bears are a hazard in back country travel. Please take the necessary precautions and report any threatening animal behavior to state park staff.

Cabin furnishings include plywood sleeping platforms, a kitchen counter, shelves, table, and benches, and an outdoor latrine. There are also an airtight woodstove, propane lantern - disposable propane cylinders not included, fire extinguisher, bow saw, ax, and broom. Wood is hard to find near cabin, so gather dead and down wood on your way in. Quartz Lake SRA cabins do not have firewood or a woodshed. For water, renters must bring their own, or purify lake water or snow.

During the winter months, State Parks offers day use ice fishing huts for rent. Call the Fairbanks office or the DNR Public Information Center for more information.

Fielding Lake State Recreation Site (near Delta Junction)

Fielding Lake is nestled among tundra covered hills within the Alaska Range in the Interior. This large lake has excellent fishing. Other summer activities include wildlife viewing and hiking. Winter activities include ice fishing and all kinds of snow activities. Access to the park is at Mile 200.5 of the Richardson Highway. Facilities include a small campground, latrine, and boat launch. Please respect the private property adjacent to the park.

The Fielding Lake area is subject to high winds and blizzard conditions in the winter, so use caution and be weather aware. The elevation of the park unit is 2,973 feet, so be prepared for chilly nights, particularly in the winter. Winter ice on the lake often remains until July.

The road to the park from the Richardson Hwy. is not plowed during the winter. From late spring to late fall, the cabin is accessible by road. Otherwise, cabin users must park on the highway and travel 1.5 miles to the lake. Travel can be by snowmachine, dog team, skis, or snowshoe. Fielding Lake Cabin does not have firewood or a woodshed

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