BLM Temporarily Closes Wickersham Dome Trailhead in White Mountains National Recreation Area for Trailhead Improvement Construction
Fairbanks, Alaska—The Bureau of Land Management’s Eastern Interior Field Office will temporarily close the Wickersham Dome Trailhead in the White Mountains National Recreation Area starting October 1 to allow contractors to construct planned access improvements. The closure is expected to last through October 21, 2026, or until construction is complete for this season.
During this closure, there will be no access to the Summit Trail or Wickersham Creek Trail from the Wickersham Dome Trailhead. Alternative access to Wickersham Creek Trail and Lee’s Cabin is available at milepost 23.5 of the Elliott Highway (as indicated in the map). Please be respectful while traveling the approximate first half mile which is a right-of-way easement through private property.
This temporary closure allows contractors to implement a project to improve access at Wickersham Dome Trailhead. That project will expand the trailhead parking lot, widen the entrance road, shift the motorized and non-motorized trails, and replace the current vault toilet with two vault toilets, improving services for the public. The BLM expects to institute one additional temporary closure in May of 2027 to complete project construction.
Signs will be posted at the entrance of the trailhead parking lot to notify the public of the temporary closure. BLM law enforcement rangers and other employees may be in the area to enforce the temporary restriction.
A map of the temporary road closure area is included. Updates can be found on the White Mountains Trail Conditions webpage. For more information, please contact the Fairbanks BLM Public Room at 907-474-2200.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.