Cantwell
CANTWELL |
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Distance Between Cantwell and :
Anchorage = 210 mi / 337 km
Fairbanks =148 mi / 238 km
Denali National Park = 27 mi / 43 km
Population = 145
Elevation = 2,190 feet / 668 meters
Cantwell is located on the Parks Highway 27 miles south of Denali National Park. The town is located at the west end of the Denali Highway (connecting the community to Paxson) where it joins the Parks Highway.
Located just to the north of Broad Pass, in the foothills of the Alaska range, Cantwell is an interesting destination in its own right. The Cantwell area was originally inhabited by nomadic Athabascan Indians who trapped, hunted and fished in the area. Currently the area is approximately 25% Indian. The settlement had its start as a railroad flag stop for the Alaska Railroad. The town was named for the Cantwell River, also the original name of the Nenana River. The river was named by Lt Allen in 1885 in honor of Lt. John C. Cantwell of the Revenue-Cutter Service, explorer of the Kobuk River Valley. Like much of interior Alaska, the climate here is characterized by severely cold and long winters and moderately warm but short summers.
The economy here is largely based on highway tourism and transportation. There are also part time seasonal jobs, but many of the residents rely on subsistence hunting, fishing, and trapping. Cantwell also plays host to a popular Bluegrass Festival every summer in Mid July. The festival is becoming more popular every year, and takes place sometime between the Anderson Blue Grass Festival and the very popular Talkeetna Festival (first week in August).
For information on what to do, see or places to stay in the Cantwell area, you will want to begin at the Fairbanks Visitors Center
THE DENALI HIGHWAY (Cantwell to Paxson)
Opened in 1957, this very remote and scenic "highway" runs east from Cantwell 136 miles to Paxson (80 miles south of Delta Jct.) on the Richardson Highway. Before completion of the Parks Highway in 1972 this was the only route to access Denali National Park. This "Highway" is all gravel and skirts the Alaska Range, passing by countless rivers, streams and lakes, most of which offer excellent fishing opportunities.
There are many interesting geologic formation along the route including glacial moraines, kames (cone shaped hills of gravel and sand), kettle lakes (holes that are formed by blocks of melting ice), and eskers (gravel ridges that are formed by rivers flowing under glaciers).
There are very few facilities along this route and careful planning is a must.
This route is closed from October to mid-May and you should not attempt to travel the route in the off season. The road can be an extremely dusty and bumpy road in dry weather, with washboard and pot holes developing during a rain.
There are many primitive, but pristine campgrounds along the route and for the more adventurous, this area is a destination in itself. The highway as well as many of the trails around it are ideal for
hiking and mountain biking. Be sure to bring a topographic map if you plan to explore off the main road.
The Tangle Lakes National Register District is located between miles 17 and 37 serves as a great base for mountain bikers, ATVers and hikers. You can pick up a free Trail Map and Guide to the Tangle Lakes from the The Bureau of Land Management. BLM Box 147 Glennallen,
AK. 99588. (907) 822-3217
Located at mile 22 (from Paxson) is the Tangle Lakes Campground and a little further up is
the Tangle River Campground. Both sites are free and provide excellent access to the 30 mile Delta River Canoe Route. This Canoe route does have a stretch of class III rapids and one portage. Take out is located at mile 212.5 on the Richardson Highway. The easier Upper Tangle Lakes Canoe Route is only 9 miles and begins at Tangle River and ends at Dickey Lake. More information on all these recreation activities may be obtained from the
BLM.
If you would like to find out more about hiking, sightseeing, camping opportunities in the area then visit the The Alaska Public Lands Information Center , They also have location in both Fairbanks and Anchorage. They are a great source of information on outdoor recreational lands use. Here, you will find information on all of Alaska's state and federal lands including parks, forests, and wildlife refuges. Available are maps, books, slide shows, and other aids to help you with your Alaskan adventure. Expert staff are knowledgeable resource, and can assist you in learning much more about Alaska.