Delta Wild and Scenic River
RV Guide
Introduction
As one of the few easily accessible wild and scenic rivers in Alaska, Delta River and surrounding water bodies such as Tangle Lakes and Tangle River offer outstanding opportunities for everyone to enjoy a wide range of recreational activities. This BLM river park has a put-in point located west of Paxson, Alaska, where water-based recreation enthusiasts can set out to explore the vast rivers and channels.
You will be able to locate the access point to the wild and scenic river and its many contiguous rivers and lakes with ease. All you need do is drive west for 22 miles from Paxson along Denali Highway.
There are plenty of sights to see here, ranging from the picturesque landscapes to the resplendent plants that decorate the river’s corridors, and beautiful fauna that roam the area. Hunters and trappers have a field day going after various game animals in the park’s areas too.
For avid anglers, there are several fish species such as round whitefish, burbot, lake trout, and longnose suckers within the wild and scenic river. After exploring the shore of the rivers, hikers and backpackers take their adventure to Swede Lake Trail south of the park to enjoy more pleasure hiking experiences.
Developed camping opportunities are available at the river access point within campsites equipped with modern amenities and a boat launch.
RV Rentals in Delta Wild and Scenic River
Transportation
Driving
There aren’t many places where you can gain access to the Delta River in Alaska. The wild and scenic river watershed lies in the Alaska Range within Southcentral Alaska and the major access is about 22 miles west of Paxson, along Denali Highway. If you plan a trip to the Upper Delta River and Lower Tangle Lakes, you should drive to Tangle Lakes Campground, at MP 21 Denali Highway, where you’ll find a put-in point. The take-out point is located north of Phelan Creek at MP 212 Richardson Highway. Even though this highway parallels the river in many places, there are no other exit points.
You won’t have any problems locating either of the access and exit points from the river at Tangle Lakes Campground or north of Phelan Creek along the highways that lead to them. Note that Denali Highway is closed in winters.
Parking
When you arrive here, you’ll find parking spaces for your cars, RVs, trailers and other vehicles, so there’s no issue with parking.
Public Transportation
There are no direct public transportation services to the access points to Delta Wild and Scenic River and Tangle Lakes. However, travel and camping equipment are available for rent at Denali and Denali State Park, west of the river park.
Campgrounds and parking in Delta Wild and Scenic River
Campsites in Delta Wild and Scenic River
First-come first-served
Tangle Lakes Campground
Tangle Lakes Campground lies with the corridor of the Delta Wild and Scenic River and the boundary of the Tangle Lakes Archaeological District on the north side of Denali Highway at MP 21.5, west of Paxson. This BLM campground is open between May and September and accepts campers of all ages.
There are 45 ADA accessible campsites and four walk-in sites here, offering tent and RV/trailer camping opportunities. Amenities provided for campers to use are water pumps, toilets, fire grills, picnic tables, and firewood. If you’re here for day camping or overnight camping, there’s room for you. The maximum RV length is 70 feet.
The boat launch in this campground provides access to the lake for guests who wish to enjoy float trips on the Delta River. Other fun things to do while camping here are fishing, exploring the Tangle Ridge Hiking Trail, and relaxing by the beach.
Reservations are not accepted here as campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pets are welcome.
Seasonal activities in Delta Wild and Scenic River
In-Season
Flora
The plant communities in this area range from arctic tundra to spruce-poplar forests, making the BLM river park a good place for flora enthusiasts.
The high elevation areas feature sedges, grasses, and forbs, particularly the areas above the brush line and the exposed slopes. In the brushy draws and lowland areas, especially the wetter sites, it’s mostly willows that you will come across.
The drier areas are dominated by dwarf birch, while the river shore features forests of black and white spruce. Understory plants include fireweed, rose, bistort, shrubby cinquefoil, burnet, and many more.
Wildlife and Bird Viewing
If you’re an avid bird watcher, you’ve got plenty to see, so it’s best you come with your camera and binoculars. One hundred and ten species of migrating birds and waterfowl nest along the BLM river’s corridors and the surrounding lakes. Popularly seen species are trumpeter swan and bald eagles.
Wildlife enthusiasts, on the other hand, get to choose what interests them, be it trapping, hunting, viewing, or photography. Moose, bear, caribou, Dall sheep, and snowshoe hare are some popularly hunted game here. Trappers go after wolf, fox, beaver, lynx, and muskrat here.
The best time to view wildlife? In the early morning.
Fishing
The presence of numerous rivers and lakes around the Delta Wild and Scenic River invite anglers of all skill levels to enjoy going after the various fish species that call the waters home. In the Arctic grayling fishery, you’ll enjoy some of the world's best lake trout fishing towards the end of winter and into spring.
Round whitefish, burbot, lake trout, and longnose suckers are abundant in Delta River and Tangle Lakes.
Before you can angle in any of these fish-rich waters, you need to purchase an Alaska fishing license and agree to abide by Alaska Department of Fish and Game sportfishing regulations.
Off-Season
Sightseeing
Guests that visit the Delta Wild and Scenic River and its surrounding areas solely for the purpose of enjoying scenic views find themselves totally blown away by the high-quality scenic vistas on display here. The hills that surround the river offer sightseers undisturbed views of waterfalls, the river canyon, channelized riverbeds, and tributaries that decorate the area.
Rock outcrops and glacial alluvial deposits are some other features that interest guests who love nature observation and study.
Swede Lake Trail
Swede Lake Trail is a BLM trail that hikers and backpackers in the area never fail to explore. This trail, which begins at an improved trailhead south of milepost 16.2 on Denali Highway, extends for 10 miles. Prepare to explore the Tangle Lakes Archaeological District (TLAD) as you hike this trail. You will reach the Gulkana River if you go all the way, and should be able to access Alphabet Hills along with Dickey Lake towards the end of the trail.
Ensure you stay on the designated trail, but carry your camera with you.
Biking, hiking, winter sports, photography, and wildlife watching are popular on this trail.
History and Prehistory
Delta River is not only an amazing place to visit for its recreational opportunities. It’s also a wonderful place to learn about the area’s history and the prehistoric elements that are found there. It’s been suggested that native people have lived in the area since the end of the last ice age about 10 millennia ago.
Hundreds of archaeological sites in the Tangle Lakes Archaeological District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As you explore these sites, do not collect or disturb or collect any remains.
