(MP 168.7 W Richardson Hwy) This 1/4 mile foot trail is located at mile 168.7
on the west side of the Richardson Highway. It provides foot access to
Gillespie Lake. There is a large parking area here. There are no restrictions
on the parking area. The trail can be wet at times.

(MP 168.7 W Richardson Hwy) This 1/4 mile foot trail is located at mile 168.7 on the west side of the Richardson Highway. It provides foot access to Gillespie Lake. There is a large parking area here. There are no restrictions on the parking area. The trail can be wet at times.

Bird's eye view of the park

Gillespie Lake

Located at mile 169.5 on the west side of the Richardson Highway, this is one
of the most highly used trails in the field office. The trail begins in a
state highway gravel pit and continues westward approximately 8 miles towards
the Gulkana Wild and Scenic River (WSR). Not only does this trail provide
access to the Gulkana WSR, it also provides outstanding views of Paxson Lake
and the surrounding hills. Primary use is motorized; however more people are
beginning to hike along the trail as its condition has improved. Please
respect all users of the trail.

Motorized travel within the Gulkana WSR corridor is limited to designated
trails. Designated trails are marked on the ground with green dot carsonite
markers. Undesignated trails are marked with red dot carsonite markers and are
not open for motorized travel. This trail is within the State of Alaska
Sourdough Controlled Use Area so motorized hunting restrictions apply.

Located at mile 169.5 on the west side of the Richardson Highway, this is one of the most highly used trails in the field office. The trail begins in a state highway gravel pit and continues westward approximately 8 miles towards the Gulkana Wild and Scenic River (WSR). Not only does this trail provide access to the Gulkana WSR, it also provides outstanding views of Paxson Lake and the surrounding hills. Primary use is motorized; however more people are beginning to hike along the trail as its condition has improved. Please respect all users of the trail.

Motorized travel within the Gulkana WSR corridor is limited to designated trails. Designated trails are marked on the ground with green dot carsonite markers. Undesignated trails are marked with red dot carsonite markers and are not open for motorized travel. This trail is within the State of Alaska Sourdough Controlled Use Area so motorized hunting restrictions apply.

Middle Fork Trail

This short foot trail provides access to June and Nita Lakes. It is located at
mile 166.5 on the west side of the Richardson Highway. There is no developed
parking area here; however, there is a side road across from the trailhead.
Trail is usually wet.

This short foot trail provides access to June and Nita Lakes. It is located at mile 166.5 on the west side of the Richardson Highway. There is no developed parking area here; however, there is a side road across from the trailhead. Trail is usually wet.

June Lake

This trail provides access to BLM and State of Alaska Lands as well as the
Gakona River Valley. The trail steadily deteriorates the further you travel
from the highway. State of Alaska land is reached at mile 5.25 and the trail
continues to the Gakona River another 2 miles or so. During hunting season
(September 1- 20) it is not uncommon to have 30-50 vehicles at the trailhead.

This trail provides access to BLM and State of Alaska Lands as well as the Gakona River Valley. The trail steadily deteriorates the further you travel from the highway. State of Alaska land is reached at mile 5.25 and the trail continues to the Gakona River another 2 miles or so. During hunting season (September 1- 20) it is not uncommon to have 30-50 vehicles at the trailhead.

One Mile Trail

This 17 (b) easement is located at mile 137 on the west side of the Richardson
Highway. This easement supplies foot access through private lands to the
Gulkana River. There is a one acre site easement at the end of the trail at
the river, which allows camping for up to 24 hours. The beginning of this
easement is very steep and slippery during wet conditions.

This 17 (b) easement is located at mile 137 on the west side of the Richardson Highway. This easement supplies foot access through private lands to the Gulkana River. There is a one acre site easement at the end of the trail at the river, which allows camping for up to 24 hours. The beginning of this easement is very steep and slippery during wet conditions.

The parking area near the trailhead is on private land and users wishing to
park here must pay a fee to Ahtna, Inc.

There is a pay box located at the parking area.

Poplar Grove 17b Easement

The 6 mile long Upper Dickey Lake Trail runs westward up the southern side of
the Middle Fork of the Gulkana River, providing access to Dickey Lake. It is
accessed by following Swede Lake Trail and then crossing the river. The
majority of this trail lies within the Gulkana National Wild River corridor as
well as the Tangle Lakes Archaeological District (TLAD) and users are required
to stay on the designated trail. There is an undeveloped camp site at the
trail end near Dickey Lake.

The first sections of this trail are extremely wet and boggy. The trail begins
to dry out at mile 2 and stays fairly dry until the end. Please stay on
designated trails, which are marked with green dotted signs. Red dotted signs
within the TLAD are not open to motorized use, unless 6 inches of frozen
ground or 12 inches of snow cover are present. This trail is recommended for
motorized use due to wet sections near the start of the trail.

The 6 mile long Upper Dickey Lake Trail runs westward up the southern side of the Middle Fork of the Gulkana River, providing access to Dickey Lake. It is accessed by following Swede Lake Trail and then crossing the river. The majority of this trail lies within the Gulkana National Wild River corridor as well as the Tangle Lakes Archaeological District (TLAD) and users are required to stay on the designated trail. There is an undeveloped camp site at the trail end near Dickey Lake.  

The first sections of this trail are extremely wet and boggy. The trail begins to dry out at mile 2 and stays fairly dry until the end. Please stay on designated trails, which are marked with green dotted signs. Red dotted signs within the TLAD are not open to motorized use, unless 6 inches of frozen ground or 12 inches of snow cover are present. This trail is recommended for motorized use due to wet sections near the start of the trail.

Upper Dickey Lake Trail

The Richardson Highway connects Valdez with Fairbanks. Recreation access
abounds along this highway, providing a wide array of activities. BLM-managed
lands and public access easements are accessible along the connecting Edgerton
Highway, Tok Cutoff and the Teikel land block.The BLM manages only a small
portion of the land along the highway, so visitors should obtain a map to
direct them to BLM-managed sites or areas. The Gulkana and Delta Wild and
Scenic Rivers can be accessed, along with campgrounds, hunting and fishing
areas. The highway corridor is popular for travelers with RVs and sightseers.
Off-highway vehicle use is permitted on BLM lands on existing primitive roads
and trails. Sourdough Controlled Use Area and Paxson Closed Area have special
requirements for using off-highway vehicles. Contact the Glenallen Field
Office for more information..

The Richardson Highway connects Valdez with Fairbanks. Recreation access abounds along this highway, providing a wide array of activities. BLM-managed lands and public access easements are accessible along the connecting Edgerton Highway, Tok Cutoff and the Teikel land block.The BLM manages only a small portion of the land along the highway, so visitors should obtain a map to direct them to BLM-managed sites or areas. The Gulkana and Delta Wild and Scenic Rivers can be accessed, along with campgrounds, hunting and fishing areas.  The highway corridor is popular for travelers with RVs and sightseers. Off-highway vehicle use is permitted on BLM lands on existing primitive roads and trails. Sourdough Controlled Use Area and Paxson Closed Area have special requirements for using off-highway vehicles. Contact the Glenallen Field Office for more information..

Gillespie Lake

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Middle Fork Trail

June Lake

One Mile Trail

Poplar Grove 17b Easement

Upper Dickey Lake Trail

Richardson Highway