Official State of Alaska Vacation and Travel Information

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Central

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Central is an active mining area with many private, small-scale mine operations sluicing the creeks along the Steese Highway for gold and other minerals.

About Central

Central is about 125 miles northeast of Fairbanks via the Steese Highway. The community dates back to 1894, when a roadhouse called Central House was built at Crooked Creek along the main supply trail from Circle City to the surrounding creeks of the Circle Mining District. Eventually a small community of miners developed, providing supplies and shelter to nearby mine operations and travelers passing through.

Things to do

In town, the Circle District Museum, one of the best small museums in Alaska, highlights the early mining history of the area. Established in 1984, the main portion of the museum is a large log lodge that houses a miner’s cabin, exhibits on early mining equipment, dog team freight and mail hauling. Also on exhibit is the Yukon Press, the first printing press north of Juneau that produced Interior Alaska’s first newspaper. The most interesting display is the museum’s collection of gold nuggets and gold flakes, recovered and donated by local miners. Outside in a large barn are a collection of dog sleds and other artifacts including an unusual covered wagon that is covered in metal rather than canvas.

About 20 miles southwest of Central at Mile 107 of the Steese Highway is a parking area and a display for Eagle Summit and the Pinnell Mountain Trail trailhead. A climb of less than a mile leads to the top of Eagle Summit, the highest point along the Steese Highway at 3,624 feet and a great place to watch the midnight sun skim the horizon around the summer solstice on June 21. The summit is also near a caribou migration route.

Central

Central is accessible by road along the Steese Highway 125 miles northeast of Fairbanks. The highway begins at Fairbanks and the first 44 miles are paved; the remainder is a wide gravel road.

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Central

Nearby Parks

Chatanika State Recreation Areas

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Attractions

Circle District Museum +

The early mining history of Central is well preserved in the Circle District Museum, one of the best small museums in Alaska. Established in 1984, the main portion of the museum is a large log lodge that houses a miner's cabin, exhibits on early mining equipment, dog team freight and mail hauling. Also on exhibit is the Yukon Press, the first printing press north of Juneau that produced Interior Alaska's first newspaper. The most interesting display is the museum's collection of gold nuggets and gold flakes, recovered and donated by local miners.
Eagle Summit +

Twenty miles southwest of Central at Mile 107 of the Steese Highway is a parking area and a display for Eagle Summit and a trailhead of the Pinnell Mountain Trail. A climb of less than a mile leads to the top of Eagle Summit, the highest point along the Steese Highway at 3,624 feet and a place where the midnight sun can be observed skimming the horizon around the summer solstice on June 21. The summit is also near a caribou migration route.
Gold panning +

With all the gold mining taking place around Central, it's easy to the urge to find a little color yourself. To avoid claim-jumping, pan wherever the Steese Hwy crosses a creek or stream, since the road is public land.
Sport fishing +

There is excellent grayling fishing in and around Central. Good rivers to target include the Chatanika, Long Creek and Birch Creek.