Hunter Access
Completed Projects
Tanana Forest Roads — Tanana Valley State Forest
Coordinates: 64.89065, -148.38307
Game Management Unit: 20B
Land Manager: Department of Natural Resources (DNR); Division of Forestry
Description
The Tanana Valley State Forest is a favored spot for hunters along the Alaska Highway. Located just an hour drive west from the heart of Fairbanks, hunting and trapping opportunities in the area include black and grizzly bear, moose, wolf, Dall sheep, grouse, wolverine, and caribou.
Purpose
The existing road system was never intended to sustain the current level of use and has fallen into disrepair. Damage to the road has been further accelerated by runoff eroding the weakened surface. In support of Alaska's hunting heritage, this project seeks to accommodate the increase in use by replacing Fortune Creek Bridge as well as repairing and hardening more than 9 miles of Cache Creek Road. This improved access will benefit hunters as well as other recreation groups in the Tanana Valley State Forest.
Outcome
This project was completed and reopened to the public in September 2023. More than nine miles of Cache Creek Road was repaired, and the deteriorated Fortune Creek bridge replaced. The result provides Tanana Valley forest users with expanded safe access to thousands of acres of public land near Fairbanks through what was previously a poorly drained road that severely impeded travel to the closed bridge.