Off-Highway Vehicle Use Areas for the White Mountains National Recreation Area

and the Steese National Conservation Area

The designation of Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use areas applies to all lands and water surfaces within the White Mountains National Recreation Area (WMNRA), BLM-managed public lands between the WMNRA and the Steese and Elliott highways, the Steese National Conservation Area (SNCA), and the Beaver Creek and Birch Creek Wild and Scenic River corridors as shown on the Off-Highway Vehicle Use Areas map.

DEFINITIONS: The term “winter use” refers to the time period between October 15 and April 30, inclusive. The term “summer use” refers to the time period between May 1 and October 14, inclusive. The term “all-terrain vehicle” (ATV) refers to summer off-highway vehicles such as four-wheelers. The term “snowmachine” refers to winter off-highway vehicles such as snowmobiles. The term “off-highway vehicle” (OHV) refers to both ATVs and snowmachines. The term “gross vehicle weight rating” (GVWR) is defined by the BLM as the total weight of the vehicle plus its maximum load/carrying capacity as specified by the manufacturer.

A. OHV Use Areas (Limited)1. The foothills area, as shown on the Off-Highway Vehicle Use Areas map, is open to

the use of OHVs that have a GVWR less than 1,500 pounds. The U.S. Creek Road,Nome Creek Road, the mining tailings along Nome Creek, Independence CreekRoad, Harrison Creek Trail, and the Portage Creek Trail are open to highwayvehicles and Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs, also called “Side-by-Sides”).

2. The highlands area, as shown on the Off-Highway Vehicle Use Areas map, ismanaged to protect the wild and natural character of the area. This area is open towinter use by snowmachines that have a GVWR less than 1,500 pounds. It is closedto all summer use of ATVs. The use of motorized vehicles in the Windy Creek andFossil Creek drainages (WMNRA) is prohibited from April 15 to August 31 toavoid disturbance to peregrine falcon nesting areas.

3. Beaver Creek and Birch Creek have been designated, and are managed, as “wild”rivers pursuant to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (WSRA, PL 90-542). The BeaverCreek Wild and Scenic River and Birch Creek Wild and Scenic River corridors areclosed to all summer use of motorized vehicles but open to winter use by snow-machines that have a GVWR less than 1,500 pounds.

4. The Summit Trail (WMNRA), specifically its 25-foot trail right-of-way, is managedas a non-motorized recreation trail to protect boardwalk for hikers. It is closed to allmotorized vehicle use. Winter use by snowmachines that have a GVWR less than1,500 pounds is allowed, provided such vehicles cross the trail at right angles, moreor less, incidental to accessing State of Alaska or federal lands otherwise open tosuch use.

B. Areas Closed to OHV Use1. The four designated Research Natural Areas (RNAs) shown on the Off-Highway

Vehicle Use Areas map are closed year-round to all OHV use. Serpentine Slide,Limestone Jags, and Mount Prindle RNAs are located in the WMNRA. The BigWindy Hot Springs RNA is in the southern unit of the SNCA. These areas havebeen identified as having representative examples of ecosystems or unusual naturalfeatures.

2. The Ski Loop Trail (WMNRA), Table Top Mountain Trail (WMNRA), andPinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail (SNCA), specifically their 50-foottrail rights-of-way, are managed as non-motorized recreation trails to protect board-walk for hikers. These trails are closed year-round to use of motorized vehicles.

3. The Wickersham Creek Trail is closed to the summer use of ATVs from its junc-tion with the Trail Creek Trail (by Lee’s Cabin) to the Beaver Creek Wild andScenic River corridor. Lands between the Bear Creek Trail and the Beaver Creekcorridor are also closed to the summer use of ATVs.

These designations implement provisions of the following plans:• White Mountains National Recreation Area Resource Management Plan• Steese National Conservation Area Resource Management Plan• Beaver Creek National Wild River Management Plan• Birch Creek National Wild River Management Plan

Detailed maps identifying these designated areas are available for viewing at the office listed below.

In December 2016 the BLM Alaska State Director signed Records of Decisions for the Eastern Interior Resource Management Plan. These documents outlined several upcoming changes to the BLM’s management of off-highway vehicles in the White Mountains National Recreation Area and Steese National Conservation Area. Implementing new rules will take up to a year and will include publication of proposed rules in the Federal Register, a 60-day public comment period, public hearings, and publication of final rules. In the meantime, the rules detailed in this publication remain in effect.

Operators of OHVs in violation of these designations are subject to the penalties prescribed in 43 CFR subpart 8340.0-7. This is pursuant to 43 CFR subpart 8342 and in accordance with the authority and requirements of Executive Order 11644 and 11989. This order will remain in effect until rescinded or modified by the Fairbanks District Manager.

For more information on OHV use areas, contact:Bureau of Land ManagementEastern Interior Field Office

222 University AvenueFairbanks, Alaska 99709

(907) 474-2200www.blm.gov/alaska

EasternInterior@blm.gov

BLM

Fairbanks District O

ffice, Alaska

August 2017

Off-Highway Vehicle Use Areas for the White Mountains National Recreation Area

and the Steese National Conservation Area

The designation of Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use areas applies to all lands and water surfaces within the White Mountains National Recreation Area (WMNRA), BLM-managed public lands between the WMNRA and the Steese and Elliott highways, the Steese National Conservation Area (SNCA), and the Beaver Creek and Birch Creek Wild and Scenic River corridors as shown on the Off-Highway Vehicle Use Areas map.

DEFINITIONS: The term “winter use” refers to the time period between October 15 and April 30, inclusive. The term “summer use” refers to the time period between May 1 and October 14, inclusive. The term “all-terrain vehicle” (ATV) refers to summer off-highway vehicles such as four-wheelers. The term “snowmachine” refers to winter off-highway vehicles such as snowmobiles. The term “off-highway vehicle” (OHV) refers to both ATVs and snowmachines. The term “gross vehicle weight rating” (GVWR) is defined by the BLM as the total weight of the vehicle plus its maximum load/carrying capacity as specified by the manufacturer.

A. OHV Use Areas (Limited)1. The foothills area, as shown on the Off-Highway Vehicle Use Areas map, is open to

the use of OHVs that have a GVWR less than 1,500 pounds. The U.S. Creek Road,Nome Creek Road, the mining tailings along Nome Creek, Independence CreekRoad, Harrison Creek Trail, and the Portage Creek Trail are open to highwayvehicles and Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs, also called “Side-by-Sides”).

2. The highlands area, as shown on the Off-Highway Vehicle Use Areas map, ismanaged to protect the wild and natural character of the area. This area is open towinter use by snowmachines that have a GVWR less than 1,500 pounds. It is closedto all summer use of ATVs. The use of motorized vehicles in the Windy Creek andFossil Creek drainages (WMNRA) is prohibited from April 15 to August 31 toavoid disturbance to peregrine falcon nesting areas.

3. Beaver Creek and Birch Creek have been designated, and are managed, as “wild”rivers pursuant to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (WSRA, PL 90-542). The BeaverCreek Wild and Scenic River and Birch Creek Wild and Scenic River corridors areclosed to all summer use of motorized vehicles but open to winter use by snow-machines that have a GVWR less than 1,500 pounds.

4. The Summit Trail (WMNRA), specifically its 25-foot trail right-of-way, is managedas a non-motorized recreation trail to protect boardwalk for hikers. It is closed to allmotorized vehicle use. Winter use by snowmachines that have a GVWR less than1,500 pounds is allowed, provided such vehicles cross the trail at right angles, moreor less, incidental to accessing State of Alaska or federal lands otherwise open tosuch use.

B. Areas Closed to OHV Use1. The four designated Research Natural Areas (RNAs) shown on the Off-Highway

Vehicle Use Areas map are closed year-round to all OHV use. Serpentine Slide,Limestone Jags, and Mount Prindle RNAs are located in the WMNRA. The BigWindy Hot Springs RNA is in the southern unit of the SNCA. These areas havebeen identified as having representative examples of ecosystems or unusual naturalfeatures.

2. The Ski Loop Trail (WMNRA), Table Top Mountain Trail (WMNRA), andPinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail (SNCA), specifically their 50-foottrail rights-of-way, are managed as non-motorized recreation trails to protect board-walk for hikers. These trails are closed year-round to use of motorized vehicles.

3. The Wickersham Creek Trail is closed to the summer use of ATVs from its junc-tion with the Trail Creek Trail (by Lee’s Cabin) to the Beaver Creek Wild andScenic River corridor. Lands between the Bear Creek Trail and the Beaver Creekcorridor are also closed to the summer use of ATVs.

These designations implement provisions of the following plans:• White Mountains National Recreation Area Resource Management Plan• Steese National Conservation Area Resource Management Plan• Beaver Creek National Wild River Management Plan• Birch Creek National Wild River Management Plan

Detailed maps identifying these designated areas are available for viewing at the office listed below.

In December 2016 the BLM Alaska State Director signed Records of Decisions for the Eastern Interior Resource Management Plan. These documents outlined several upcoming changes to the BLM’s management of off-highway vehicles in the White Mountains National Recreation Area and Steese National Conservation Area. Implementing new rules will take up to a year and will include publication of proposed rules in the Federal Register, a 60-day public comment period, public hearings, and publication of final rules. In the meantime, the rules detailed in this publication remain in effect.

Operators of OHVs in violation of these designations are subject to the penalties prescribed in 43 CFR subpart 8340.0-7. This is pursuant to 43 CFR subpart 8342 and in accordance with the authority and requirements of Executive Order 11644 and 11989. This order will remain in effect until rescinded or modified by the Fairbanks District Manager.

For more information on OHV use areas, contact:Bureau of Land ManagementEastern Interior Field Office

222 University AvenueFairbanks, Alaska 99709

(907) 474-2200www.blm.gov/alaska

EasternInterior@blm.gov

August 2017

BLM

Fairbanks District O

ffice, Alaska

Summit

Borealis- LeFevre

CacheMountain

Richard's

McKayCreek

DavidsonDitch

Wayside

CrippleCreek

FredBlixt

WickershamDome

OphirCreek

MountPrindle

Wolf Run

ColoradoCreekColorado

Creek CaribouBluff

Lee'sMooseCreek

Eleazar's

WindyGap

WickershamCreek

PtarmiganCreekShelterNorth Fork

Shelter

Upper BirchCreekWayside

TwelvemileSummitWayside

EagleSummitWayside

Lower BirchCreek Wayside

Crowberry

US CreekRoadSki Loop

Trail

Summit Trail

Pinnell Mountai

n Trail

Table Top Mountain

ELLIOTT HIGHWAY

STEESE HIGHWAY

LimestoneJags RNA

MountPrindleRNA

SerpentineSlide RNA

Big Windy HotSprings RNA

Miller Fork

Caribou Creek

McMan u sCr eek

Cham pion Cre ek

Sout

hFo

rkBi

rch

Cree

k

Wes

tFor

kCh en

a River

Salcha Ri ver

Tatalina Rive r

Middle Fork Che na Rive r

Tol ova na Rive

r

Crook ed Creek

Vi ctoria C reek

Yukon River

Preacher Cr eek

C hatanika River

Beaver Cre ek

Bir ch Creek

Fossil Creek

Eagle Creek

Chena River

Little Black River

Twelvemile Creek

Windy Creek

50 90

145

20

35

115

55

160

55

130

155

30

120

85

110

5

95

5

150

50

80

135

5530

40

60

105

10

45

60

50

75

25

25

45

70

40

65

3520

15

100

140

Circle Hot Springs

Chena Hot Springs

Circle

Central

144°W

144°W

145°W

145°W

146°W

146°W

147°W

147°W

148°W

148°W

66°N

65°N

65°N

OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE USE AREAS

Fairbanks

Anchorage

Mon

tan a

Crk

. Tr a

il

Har

rison

- Portage Creek Tra i

l

Nome Creek Road

W h i t e M o u n t a i n s W h i t e M o u n t a i n s N a t i o n a l R e c r e a t i o n A r e aN a t i o n a l R e c r e a t i o n A r e a S t e e s e S t e e s e

N a t i o n a l C o n s e r v a t i o n A r e aN a t i o n a l C o n s e r v a t i o n A r e a

S t e e s e S t e e s e N a t i o n a l C o n s e r v a t i o n A r e aN a t i o n a l C o n s e r v a t i o n A r e a

Y u k o n -C h a r l e y

R i v e r sN a t i o n a l P r e s e r v e

Y u k o n F l a t sY u k o n F l a t sN a t i o n a l W i l d l i f e R e f u g eN a t i o n a l W i l d l i f e R e f u g e

Birch Creek Wild & Scenic River

Beaver Creek Wild & Scenic River

Disclaimer : No warranty is made by the Bureau of Land Management as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of these data for individual or aggregate use with other data. Original datawere compiled from various sources. This infromation may not meet NationalMap Accuracy Standards. This product was developed through digital means and may be updated without notification. The information displayed on this map should be used forgraphic display only. For official land status information, refer to Cadastral Survey Plats, Master Title Plats, and landstatus case-files.

Map Coordinate System: Albers ConicEqual Area referencing NAD83

0 5 10 15Miles

AlaskaWhite Mountains National Recreation Area and Steese National Conservation AreaU.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR | BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

National Conservation & Recreation Area BoundaryWild & Scenic River CorridorsState Inholding

Map Date: 8/11/2017

Recreation CabinTrail ShelterCampgroundTrailheadWayside

IndependenceCrk. Trail

Secondary RoadsNon-motorized Trails

Trails - some trails are maintainedprimarily for winter use and may notbe suitable for summer use

OHV trail - no size restrictionsHighway (Mileposts labeled)

Management Unit Summer OHV limitations Winter OHV limitations

May 1 – October 14 October 15 – April 31

HighlandsWild & Scenic River Corridors

Summer OHV closure areas

Foothills Open to OHVs less than 1500 pounds GVWR Open to snowmachines less than 1500 pounds GVWR

Non-motorized Trails

Research Natural Areas

Closed to motorized vehicles Open to snowmachines less than 1500 pounds GVWR

Closed to motorized vehicles year round