Secrets of lives lived long ago are hidden 

amidst the jagged up-thrusts of mountains and 

the sweeping grandeur of glaciers in southcentral Alaska. Located along the Denali 

Highway between mileposts 17 and 37 is an 

area rich in historic and prehistoric remains 

called the Tangle Lakes Archaeological 

District (TLAD). 

This area has more than 600 archaeological 

sites with artifacts from pit-houses to handfashioned stone tools. Carbon dating tests 

have helped identify four different cultural 

traditions displayed in the timeline below. 

Cultural Traditions of the Past

* Years before the present

Trails in the area have been used by people 

since the Ice Age. Athapaskan hunters have 

traveled these paths seeking caribou for 

their large winter villages located along the 

Gulkana River. Miners in the region also used 

these trails to explore and access placer 

gold mining claims in both Valdez Creek and 

around the Tangle Lakes. 

The Tangle Lakes Archaeological District was 

accepted to the National Register of Historic 

Places in 1971. This register recognizes 

historic properties that are signifi cant in 

telling our nation’s story. The Archaeological 

Resources Protection Act and other laws 

prohibit collecting or damaging artifacts or 

historic properties. Offenders can be cited 

and fi ned, their equipment seized, and 

be required by the Federal Court to pay 

for damage assessment and all damage 

repairs.

Not only is this a place to imagine and 

appreciate the past, it is also a wonderland 

for outdoor activites. The Tangle Lakes 

Archaeological District has many uses 

including: 

 

To protect environmentally sensitive areas 

and our historic heritage, the Bureau of Land 

Management (BLM) and the State of Alaska 

Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 

have designated 8 trails open for off-highway 

vehicle (OHV) use within the Tangle Lakes 

Archaeological District. These trails are 

shown on the map on the back of this page.

Topographic maps are available at most BLM 

offi ces or at the State of Alaska DNR Public 

Information Offi ce. PLEASE help us preserve 

this rich, varied and signifi cant area for your 

future use and the enjoyment of others. 

Now You Know...

Why the Tangle Lakes Archaeological 

District is special.

Where the TLAD is located.

What types of recreational activities can 

be enjoyed in this area.

When off-highway vehicles can be used 

only on designated trails.

For more information contact:

Bureau of Land Management State of Alaska DNR 

Glennallen Field Offi ce Southcentral Region Land Offi ce 

PO Box 147 550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 900C

Glennallen, AK 99588 Anchorage, AK 99501-3577

Tel: 907-822-3217 Tel: 907-269-8552

www.glennallen.ak.blm.gov

Tangle Lakes 

Archaeological 

District

 

Information Guide 

and Trails Map

Denali

Complex

Athapaskan 

Tradition

Historical 

Period

Northern Archaic 

Tradition

10,000* 7,000* 1,000* 200*

Present

• hiking

• camping

• berry picking

• snow machining 

• hunting 

• mining 

• biking 

• horseback riding

• photography

• fi shing 

• boating

• wildlife watching

• off-highway vehicle

 riding 

Riding Responsibly

Stay on designated trails

No pioneering of new trails

Respect other trail users

Use improved trails when available

Cross streams at designated 

crossings only

Pack out your garbage

Plan ahead and be prepared

Know your limits

Do not collect or disturb artifacts

Additional information can be found at 

www.treadlightly.org

Brochure Design by: Sarah Taylor

Photographs by: John Jangala

Map Design by: Tammy Larzelere 

A Window to the Past Wide Open Spaces

BLM/AK/GI-05/008+8100+050

DNRBLM

ALASKA
Trails 1-3 Managed by the 

State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources:

Special Rules for trails 1-3: • • 

• Recommended uses for each trail are indicated by symbols. 

Match the numbers with the locations shown on the map.

1. Maclaren Summit 

 Trail (MP 37).

This 3 mile trail provides access across

the tundra at Maclaren Summit, opening 

up fantastic views. Since it is within the 

Department of Fish and Game’s Controlled 

Use Area, hunting with motorized vehicles is 

prohibited. Please do not take your OHV past 

the end of the trail as you are still in the TLAD 

Special Use Area. 

2. Glacier Lake Trail (MP 30).

This trail extends approximately 2 miles to

Glacier Gap Lake and is completely within 

the TLAD Special Use Area. The trail is wet 

and crosses a large boggy area and two 

small creeks. This trail is being considered for 

hardening and repair by the State of Alaska.

3. Landmark Gap Trail 

 North (MP 24.6).

This trail extends approximately 3 miles to 

the south end of Landmark Gap Lake. The 

trail is rocky and dry with one marshy spot. 

All users, please stay on the trail as there are 

several known archaeological sites nearby. 

A solid, rocky bottom facilitates crossing the 

marshy spot.

Trails 4-8 Managed by the 

Bureau of Land Management:

Special Rules for trails 4-8: •

• 

Recommended uses are indicated by symbols for each trail. 

Match the numbers with the locations shown on the map.

4. Osar Lake Trail (MP 37).

The trail leaves Maclaren Summit and travels

south approximately 8 miles to the northwest 

shore of Osar Lake. It crosses glacial eskers 

and is fairly dry. 

5. Landmark Gap Trail 

 South (MP 24.7). This trail travels south and then branches to

the southwest and southeast. The southwest 

branch extends approximately 8 miles to the 

vicinity of Osar Lake; the southeast branch 

extends approximately 5 miles to a viewpoint 

of the upper Tangle Lakes. There is a large 

muddy area at the beginning of the trail. 

Water crossings may be diffi cult after periods 

of heavy rains.

6. Swede Lake Trail (MP 16).

The trail extends approximately 3 miles to

the northern end of Swede Lake, continues 

approximately 7 miles to the Middle Fork 

Gulkana Branch Trail, and an additional 0.5 

miles to the Alphabet Hills Trail. This trail is 

usually very wet and portions are outside the 

Tangle Lakes Archaeological District. 

7. Dickey Lake Trail.

Accessed by the Swede Lake Trail, this trail

parallels the Middle Fork of the Gulkana 

River. The trail can be extremely wet. 

8. Alphabet Hills Trail. 

An extension of the Swede Lake Trail, this

trail provides a route into the Alphabet Hills.

Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs) are limited to these designated 

trails only within the Tangle Lakes Archaeological District 

(TLAD) from May 16th to October 15th.

Winter OHV use is unrestricted when adequate snowfall is 

present.

The use of motorized vehicles as provided by 11 AAC 

96.020(a)(1)(D) and (E) is allowed on designated trails 

shown on the Tangle Lakes Archaeological District Special 

Use Area map.

Between May 18 and October 18, a permit is required for 

the use of motorized vehicles off designated trails shown on 

the Tangle Lakes Archaeological District Special Use Area 

map. Between October 19 and May 17

, a permit is required for 

the use of motorized vehicles off designated trails as shown 

on the Tangle Lakes Archaeological District Special Use 

Area map, except the use of motorized vehicles as provided 

in 11 AAC 96.020(a)(1)(D) and (E) is allowed where snow 

cover or ground frost is suffi cient to prevent damage to 

archaeological values. Suffi cient snow cover means an 

average of one foot of snow, with a minimum of six inches. 

Suffi cient ground frost means a minimum of six inches.

Tangle Lakes Archaeological District Boundary

Denali Hwy

PAXSON

Gulkana Wild & Scenic River

Upper

Tangle

Lakes

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Summit

Lake

Dickey

Lake

Seven-Mile Lake

Swede

Lake

Osar Lake

A

L

A

S

K

A

R

A

N

G

E

Maclaren River

Richardson

Hwy

Delta

Wild and Scen ci R vi er

E

u

re

ka

C

re

e

k

Fish

Lake

Maclaren Glacier

Eureka Glacier

A

M

P

H

I

T

H

E

A

T

E

R

M

O

U

N

T

A

I

N

S

Paxson

Lake

Fielding

Lake

Denali Hwy (gravel)

(paved)

Lower

Tangle

Lakes

Landmark Gap Lake

Glacier Lake

Designated Trails within the Tangle Lakes Archaeological District

However, the information displayed on this map is intended to be used for graphic representation only. For official land status, refer to legal case-files and plats.

U:/MXD/TLAD_brochure.mxd TL 4/05

Great care has been taken to ensure that the information represented is as accurate and complete as possible at the time of compilation. 0 2 4 8 12

Miles

The Denali Highway is not maintained in the winter.

State of Alaska

TLAD Special Use Area

Bureau of Land Management

Wild & Scenic River Corridor