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Delta Junction Area State Parks Alaska
Photo Credit: ATIA, Matt Hage
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Delta Junction Area State Parks

Delta Junction Area State Parks

At the end of the Alaska Highway, Delta Junction’s five state parks offer a variety of recreation opportunities ranging from camping and sport fishing to wildlife viewing, canoeing, and hiking.

The Alaska Highway officially ends at the town of Delta Junction, home to five state recreation areas and sites: Quartz Lake State Recreation Area, Fielding Lake State Recreation Area, Delta State Recreation Site, Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site, and Clearwater State Recreation Site.

ACTIVITIES

The state parks near Delta Junction hold many opportunities for both visitors and locals. Not only are there beautiful lakes, excellent wildlife viewing, great fishing, and hiking trails, the Delta Junction area itself has much to offer. All of the parks are an hour's drive or less from Delta Junction.

The Clearwater State Recreation Site features a campground overlooking the Delta Clearwater River, the largest spring-fed tributary of the Tanana River. From the campground, the Delta Clearwater River is a popular float trip that offers fishing for Arctic grayling, whitefish, and salmon. A boardwalk located along the river behind the campsites allows visitors to view sandhill cranes, swans, geese, and other migratory birds in the spring or fall.

Located right in Delta Junction is Delta State Recreation Site, a popular campground for those traveling between Tok and Fairbanks. The Delta River is directly across the Richardson Highway, along with spectacular views of Mount Hayes and the rest of the Alaska Range.

The Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site is home to an array of wildlife, including moose, bears, porcupine, beavers, and snowshoe hares. Occasionally, caribou are sighted browsing in the area while the Delta bison herd is often seen across the Delta River on its summer calving grounds.

Sixty miles south of Delta Junction off the Richardson Highway is Fielding Lake State Recreation Site, a scenic campground above tree line in the Alaska Range at an elevation of 2,973 feet. Because of the elevation, ice sometimes remains on the lake until July. Fielding Lake offers fishing opportunities for Arctic grayling, lake trout, and burbot.

Bordering two lakes 10 miles north of Delta Junction is Quartz Lake State Recreation Area, offering a wide range of facilities around two lakes. Five hiking trails, all of which are less than two miles in total length, provide access to views of the Tanana River Valley, Alaska Range, Shaw Creek Flats, Quartz and Lost lakes, and Moose Pond. Quartz Lake also has two public-use cabins and four ice huts that anglers can rent in the winter for ice fishing. Other popular winter activities include snowmobiling, dog mushing, and skijoring.

LANDSCAPE

As you come to the end of the Alaska Highway, you reach a wilderness area that covers a wide expanse of boreal forests, braided river bottoms, high country tundra, and mountainous backdrops. Visitors to the Delta Junction area love this region for its peacefulness, excellent fishing opportunities, variety of wildlife, and breathtaking views.

HISTORY

The town of Delta Junction has been referred to as "Buffalo Center." In 1928, twenty-three bison were transplanted from the National Bison Range in Montana to what is now the Delta Junction area. The free-ranging bison herd now numbers about 375 animals.

Delta Junction also offers travelers amazing views of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Both north and south of Delta on the Richardson Highway are excellent photo opportunities of the pipeline. There are also informational displays for visitors to read about this great industrial achievement.

FACILITIES AND CAMPING

Clearwater State Recreation Site, 10 miles east of Delta Junction, is a beautiful little campground with 17 campsites, a picnic area, water, toilets, and boat launch.

The Delta State Recreation Site is a small, seven-acre recreation area with 25 campsites, a picnic area, a covered picnic shelter, water, and toilets. It’s close to stores, commercial showers, and other visitor services in Delta Junction. A city airstrip next to the campground allows for fly-in camping.

Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site is 32 miles south of Delta Junction along the braided Delta River. The scenic recreation area has 12 campsites, a public use cabin, toilets, and water along with outstanding views of the Alaska Range.

Fielding Lake State Recreation Site is a rustic campground with 17 campsites and toilets. A nearby public use cabin can be reserved in advance. There is also a boat launch.

Quartz Lake State Recreation Area offers 103 campsites in two campgrounds. Other facilities include two boat launches, handicap-accessible fishing docks, picnic sites, picnic shelters, a swimming area, a beach volleyball court, water, and toilets. There are also two public use cabins and ice fishing huts available to reserve in advance.

GETTING HERE

All five recreation areas are accessible by road from Delta JunctionClearwater State Recreation Site is reached by turning onto Clearwater Road at Mile 1415 of the Alaska Highway and driving 8.5 miles, or by turning onto Jack Warren Road at Mile 268 of the Richardson Highway and driving 11 miles.

Delta State Recreation Site is at Mile 267 of the Richardson Highway.

Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site is 32 miles south of Delta Junction at Mile 238.

Fielding Lake State Recreation Site is two miles west of the Richardson Highway at Mile 200.5.

Quartz Lake State Recreation Area is 10 miles north of Delta Junction and is reached via a three-mile road at Mile 277.8 of the Richardson Highway.

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