Alaska is known as the “Land of the Midnight Sun”, but that’s really only true if you visit Alaska north of the Arctic Circle in summer. Thankfully, the BLM Arctic Circle Campground is the perfect place to spend a sun-filled night or two.
Later is autumn, the BLM Arctic Circle Campground provides an excellent opportunity to see the northern lights without the light pollution you’d encounter in Fairbanks.
If you’re thinking about trekking north of Fairbanks along the Dalton Highway (also known as the “Haul Road” because of all the supplies “hauled” up this road to the oil fields further north), the BLM Arctic Circle Campground is a surprisingly nice campground given its remoteness.
In the post below, I’ll provide you with all the details you need to know about the Arctic Circle Campground to decide if it’s the right choice for your trip.
BLM Arctic Circle Campground Review
The Arctic Circle Campground run by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a well-kept, and was fully renovated in 2021. It definitely shows as all of the facilities look brand new!
The campground has 19 individual sites that can accommodate tent campers, camping trailers, and larger RVs. There are 6 pull-through sites and 2 walk-in tent sites.
The remaining campsites are your standard back-in sites suitable for smaller RVs or camping trailers.
Please be bear aware of this campground. There are lots of bears in the area so it’s important (and required) to keep your food safely stored any time you are away from it. Letting bears realize they can get camper food will only lead to safety issues for other campers and the bears themselves!
Fees
There is a $12 fee to camp per night, with a maximum stay of 14-days. Or $6 per night for individuals that have a Senior Interagency Pass or Access Pass.
So often, remote campgrounds only allow you to pay with cash or check which can be frustrating because who carries a lot of cash these days?
Thankfully, if you download the recreation.gov app and setup an account, you can pay for the site through the app, even if you don’t have cell coverage at the site. Just be sure to obtain a paper “pass” to place at your campsite and indicate you paid via recreation.gov.
BLM Arctic Circle Campground Campsites
The campground has really nice campsites that are well-maintained. Most of the sites have limited privacy, but it is generally not a very crowded campground, so you likely will have space between you and other campers
Campfires are allowed, as are pets as long as they leashed.
BLM Arctic Circle Campground Amenities
The campground has two pit-toilet style outhouses. There are also food storage lockers that must be used if you can’t adequately secure food in your car or RV.
There is also a bear resistant trash container. Be sure to keep a clean camp because bears are everywhere in Alaska, and the wilderness is literally at the edge of the campground!
BLM Arctic Circle Campground Reservations
This campground is only first-come, first-serve. Because it can take some effort to get to, you likely won’t have a problem getting a site.
But during hunting season (late August, September), it can get busy. Thankfully there is a good amount of roadside camping along the way in case the campground is full.
When is BLM Arctic Circle Campground Open
The campground is open from mid-May through the end of September each year.
Where is BLM Arctic Circle Campground Located
The BLM Arctic Circle Campground is about 200 miles north of Fairbanks, Alaska and can take 5-7 hours to get there depending on weather, road conditions, and summer roadwork.
The Arctic Circle Campground is located approximately a half mile up hill from the Arctic Circle Monument wayside.
Arctic Circle Monument
There is a nice Arctic Circle monument at the entrance to the Arctic Circle Campground to document your reaching the Arctic Circle.
The Arctic Circle monument is a nice wayside to have a picnic or take a break if you’re not planning on camping. There are restrooms, picnic tables, BBQs, and fire pits to enjoy.
Summary
If you’re looking for a great campground where you can experience the midnight sun in summer, or get amazing northern lights in autumn, then the BLM Arctic Circle Campground is a great option.
If you’re renting a car or RV, be sure to check with the rental company ahead of time if you can take the vehicle up the Dalton Highway. Many companies strictly forbid it.
Traveling to the Arctic Circle on the Dalton Highway can be a challenging drive. It’s important that you be prepared and have the best emergency roadside kit. Also, check out our list of essential Alaska camping gear so you’re not caught unprepared in the wilds of Alaska.
