About Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail
Sweeping mountain vistas and brilliant wildflower displays under the unceasing light of the midnight sun, the Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail offers an unforgettable experience whether your visit lasts a few hours or a few days.Located approximately 100 miles (161 km) northeast of Fairbanks, this 27-mile (44 km) hiking trail traverses a series of alpine ridge tops entirely above timberline. The trail was built for hikers, but is open to all forms of non-motorized use. The Pinnell Mountain Trail is marked with rock cairns as it crosses open tundra with views north to the Yukon River and south to the Alaska Range. Wooden posts along the trail show the mileage from the start at Eagle Summit to the trail's end at Twelvemile Summit. Two shelters provide refuge from storms, but hikers should come prepared for unpredictable, dramatic alpine weather. Finding drinking water along the trail can become difficult later in the summer, when snowfields and small ponds dry up. Water is generally available at both shelter cabins, where catchment systems collect melting snow and rain. An accessible interpretive loop trail leads to an observation deck near the Eagle Summit Trailhead.
How to Get There
The Pinnell Mountain Trail is easily reached via the Steese Highway, a maintained gravel highway leading northeast from Fairbanks to the Yukon River. Eagle Summit (milepost 107 on the Steese Highway), the more distant of the two trailheads, is approximately a 2.5-hour drive from Fairbanks under good driving conditions. The trail ends at Twelvemile Summit at milepost 85.5 on the Steese highway. .
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail
Heading to Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail?
No central reservation system listed for Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/16522) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail?
The Pinnell Mountain Trail is easily reached via the Steese Highway, a maintained gravel highway leading northeast from Fairbanks to the Yukon River. Eagle Summit (milepost 107 on the Steese Highway), the more distant of the two trailheads, is approximately a 2.5-hour drive from Fairbanks under good driving conditions. The trail ends at Twelvemile Summit at milepost 85.5 on the Steese highway. .
How do I contact Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail?
You can reach the park at phone: 907-474-2200 or email: EasternInterior@blm.gov.
References & Official Resources
