Caribou Creek Recreational Mining Area, Alaska

In 1991, the Alaska State legislature created the Caribou Creek Recreational Mining Area (CCRM Area). The CCRM Area, which is located near the confluence of Caribou Creek and the Matanuska River, was established to provide a permanent recreational mining experience for the general public.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Mining, Land & Water, is responsible for the management, use and development of the CCRM Area. The Department of Fish and Game is responsible for the management of the fish and game resources within the CCRM Area.

How do I get to the Caribou Creek Recreational Mining Area and what facilities are available?
The CCRM Area is located at approximately mile 104 of the Glenn Highway next to the Lion’s Head rock formation. You will see a sign at the turnoff. The CCRM Area is relatively undeveloped. A steep trail leads down to the creek from the gravel parking lot. Only pedestrian traffic is permitted on the trail (sorry, no all terrain vehicles—ATV’s). Physical fitness, health, and age should be considered due to the steepness of the trail. Private facilities offering gas, food and lodging are within 10 miles of the CCRM Area.

Are other activities available within the Area?
Yes. Hiking, picnicking, photography, wild flower viewing and other activities are permitted within the area, as long as they do not detract from the recreational mining experience. Dall sheep, black and grizzly bears, and gray wolves have been viewed in this area.

Can I mine anywhere within the Area?
No. First, you should be aware that the area only includes land and water within the active floodplain area of the creeks and rivers within the CCRM Area. Public recreational mining is allowed only within the CCRM area. Please refer to the map below for details. More information including detailed land status maps can be found at the Alaska DNR Case Abstract.

Can I stake a mining claim in the Caribou Creek Recreational Mining Area?
No. The CCRM Area is available to recreational mining only. No mining claims are allowed.

What methods of recreational mining are allowed in the Caribou Creek Recreational Mining Area?
Caribou Creek has been specified by the Alaska Department of Fish & Game as being important for the spawning, rearing, or migration of anadromous fish. Therefore, allowable methods vary depending on the time period.

Gold pans and hand shovels are allowed in the recreational area year round.

Between May 15th and July 15th each year, the following equipment may be used:

• Metal detector
• Small sluice box less than 16” wide and 6’ long fed by a hand shovel with 1” pump limit (*)
• High banker/rocker box fed by a hand shovel with 1” pump limit (*)
• Suction dredge with 6” nozzle or less powered by an engine of 18 horsepower or less (ADF&G permit required) (**)

NOTE: ADF&G does NOT issue permits for the use of backpack power drills or augers therefore they cannot be used.

(*) If a sluice box, high banker or rocker box is used it must be set back far enough from the creek to assure that no water with sediment discharge flows into the creek. Additionally ADF&G requires a permit for the operation of a water pump for sluice box operation. ADF&G does not have a pump intake restriction on the water pump used for highbanking/power sluicing.

(**)Contact Department of Fish & Game for more specific permit information. The required permit is free.

What about camping in the area?
From http://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/factsht/land_fs/gen_allow_use.pdf:

Generally allowed: Setting up and using a camp for personal, noncommercial recreational purposes, or for any non-recreational purpose (such as a support camp during mineral exploration), for no more than 14 days at one site, using a tent platform or other temporary structure that can readily be dismantled and removed, or a floathouse that can readily be moved. Moving the entire camp at least two miles starts a new 14-day period. Cabins or other permanent improvements are not allowed, even if they are on skids or another non-permanent foundation. The camp must be removed immediately if the department determines that it interferes with public access or other public uses or interests.

For additional information on dredging permits, contact:

Department of Fish & Game
Division of Habitat
1800 Glenn Highway, Suite 6
Palmer, AK 99645-6736
Phone: 907-861-3200
Fax: 907-861-3232
http://www.habitat.adfg.alaska.gov/recsuctiondredge.php 

For additional information on the Caribou Creek Recreational Mining Area contact:

Source: Modified with additions from the Alaska Division of Mining, Land, & Water Fact Sheet February 2012.