Other Frequently Asked Questions

1. What information can you give me on National Parks in Alaska?
2. What information can you give me on Alaska State Parks?
3. Are there public lands facilities serving the disabled in Alaska? Any other information or agencies we might contact?
4. I want to try my hand at gold-panning. What are the rules and where can I do it?
5. I want to file a mining claim, where can I do it?
6. Can I still homestead in Alaska?
7. We need topographic maps for our trip, where can we buy them?
8. We don't have time to drive all the way to Denali, can we see Mt. McKinley from here?
9. How do I get into the McNeil River lottery?
10. Where can I get road and weather information for our trip?
11. Do you have programs at the APLIC? Movies?
12. After touring Alaska, we want to move here. Where can I find information about living in Alaska?
13. I have a friend coming from France who speaks only a little English. Do you have any foreign language brochures?
14. Where can I learn how to be safe around bears, moose and other animals?
15. Where can I buy books and maps on Alaska; I'm calling from Montana?
16. We want to learn more about Alaska's cultural heritage. What can you tell us?
17. We backpack and camp regularly in California. What can you tell us about minimum impact and safe camping/backpacking in Alaska?
18. My child is an elementary school student doing a project on Alaska. Can you send us any information?
19. I want to volunteer as a campground host. Where do I go to find information?
20. I am a teacher in Arkansas. Do you have information about Alaska that I can use?
21. I am a middle school teacher with a class of 25. Can I get a program or movie for my kids?

 

1. What information can you give me on National Parks in Alaska? APLIC has the Alaska National Parks brochure and the Alaska Official State map showing National Parks. Additional material on specific parks is also available depending on the topic of interest, such as outfitter-guide lists, and culture, history, or geology.
   
   Return to top

 

2. What information can you give me on Alaska State Parks? APLIC has the Alaska State Parks brochure, listing camping and facility information, individual flyers on State Parks, the Chugach State Park's Ridgelines newspaper and some specific hiking, birding, canoeing, and public use cabin information.Alaska Public Lands Information Centers also sells State Park camping, day use and boating stickers.
   
   Return to top

 

3. Are there public lands facilities serving the disabled in Alaska? Any other information or agencies we might contact? APLIC has a list of accessible federal and state campgrounds, and ratings of some facilities and trails. Challenge Alaska and Alaska Welcomes You publish flyers and newsletters. (AWY).
   
   Return to top

 

4. I want to try my hand at gold-panning. What are the rules and where can I do it? Recreational gold-panning is permitted, with some restrictions, on most public lands in Alaska. These lands include national forests, wildlife refuges, some state parks, national parks (more restricted), and lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the State of Alaska. If you want to actually file a mining claim, check with the Bureau of Land Management or the State Division of Mining depending on who manages the land of interest. Our handout packet includes a general guide to recreational gold-panning, descriptive fliers on Nome Creek and Caribou Creek Recreational Mining areas, time-saving tips, and a fact sheet on panning in Alaska State Parks.
   
   Return to top

 

5. I want to file a mining claim, where can I do it?In Alaska, there are two sets of mining regulations to familiarize yourself with - state and federal. First step, is to determine the land status for the area you are interested in mining. Alaska Public Lands Information Centers can direct you to the Bureau of Land Management and the Alaska Division of Mining and Water Management.
   
   Return to top

 

6. Can I still homestead in Alaska?There is no federal homesteading program in Alaska. Any land disposal is through the State of Alaska.vAlaska Public Lands Information Centersvcan give you a general information handout, but the proper source for land information is the Public Information Center at the Alaska Department of Natural Resources on 36th and C (Frontier Building) in Anchorage (Monday-Friday, 11-5). For further information about the the Homestead Act in Alaska
   Return to top

 

7. We need topographic maps for our trip, where can we buy them?The U.S. Geological Survey map shop is in Grace Hall on the Alaska Pacific University campus. Alaska Natural History Association (ANHA) outlets also have a selection of topographic and hiking maps .Alaska Public Lands Information Centers has an ANHA outlet. There is also a commercial map shop and numerous sporting goods stores in Anchorage that carry maps. Staff will be happy to direct you to any of these sources.
   
   Return to top

 

8. We don't have time to drive all the way to DNP, can we see Mt. McKinley from here?Actually, you can see the McKinley mastiff from numerous places in Anchorage: Kincaid Park Chalet, Glen Alps overview and high points throughout town. On the George Parks Highway, views of Mt. McKinley begin at about the 100 mile point. One of the best views is on the spur road to Talkeetna. From Trapper Creek north, turn-outs provide excellent views of the mountain.
   
   Return to top

 

9. How do I get into the McNeil River lottery?The Alaska Department of Fish & Game holds the lottery in March. Applications come out in January. To get your name on the mailing list, call Fish & Game in Anchorage, [phone] or mail a postcard to: Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, Attn: McNeil Lottery, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518-1599.
   
   Return to top

 

10. Where can I get road and weather information for our trip?An excellent brochure to carry on a road trip in Alaska is Help Along the Way, which covers emergency medical services available while on the road. Live and pre-recorded weather reports for various cities in Alaska are available from the National Weather Service Web Page. Alaska Public Lands Information Centers can provide those numbers. State wide road conditions are also available.
    
    Return to top

 

11. Do you have programs at the APLIC? Movies?During the summercAlaska Public Lands Information Centers has a full schedule of talks, slide shows, demonstrations and a daily film schedule. Monthly schedules are available.
    
    Return to top

 

12. After touring Alaska, we want to move here, where can I find information about living in Alaska? A demographics packet is available from the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce [phone]. Various Chambers of Commerce can provide information; Alaska Public Lands Information Centers has address and phone lists. Visit the Loussac Library for newspaper and magazines on Alaska.
    
    Return to top

 

13. I have a friend coming from France who speaks only a little English. Do you have any foreign language brochures?Yes, we have brochures for the National Forests, Glacier Bay and Denali National Parks in French. We also have some brochures in German, Spanish, and Japanese.
    
    Return to top

 

14. Where can I learn how to be safe around bears, moose and other animals?Most of what you need, you already have...common sense. Keep your distance, let them know you are there, and don't run in panic. Bear Facts is a good brochure to review. Many public lands brochures discuss how to safely enjoy Alaska's wildlife.
    
    Return to top

 

15. Where can I buy books and maps on Alaska, if I'm calling from Montana?A good source is the Alaska Natural History Association (ANHA) mail order catalog. Many of APLIC's special handouts have recommended reading lists. Let us know your specific interests while visiting Alaska and we will be happy to send a recommended reading list. Also try your local library or book store.
    
    Return to top

 

16. We want to learn more about Alaska's cultural heritage. What can you tell us?APLIC has general information on Native groups in relation to Alaska's public lands and a reference guide to native corporations. Information is available on Native interpretive sites, such as the Chugach N.F. Kenaitze Indian Tribe site on the Kenai Peninsula, or the Bering Land Bridge (BLB National Preserve). The best sources of general information would be the Museum of History and Art, Loussac Library, and groups such as TAHETA, a Native arts and cultural group located in Anchorage.
    
    Return to top

 

17. We backpack and camp regularly in California, what can you tell us about minimum impact and safe camping/backpacking in Alaska?We have minimum impact camping/backpacking brochures covering water safety, clothing, gear, and general trip planning. Some of the differences between California and Alaska involve lower summer temperatures, more moisture, and greater potential for wildlife contacts.
    
    Return to top

 

18. My child is an elementary school student doing a project on Alaska. Can you send us any information?Our student map has helpful information on Alaskan history, culture, geography, climate, etc. Depending on the report's emphasis, additional educational materials can be mailed.
    
    Return to top

 

20. I want to volunteer as a campground host. Where do I go to find information?APLIC has a federal and state agency reference list to help potential volunteers connect with a program. Many agencies publish brochures on volunteer opportunities.
    
    Return to top

 

21. I am a teacher in Arkansas. Do you have information about Alaska that I can use?A teacher packet is always available for pick-up or can be mailed to you. In addition you can take advantage of the wide variety of information desk materials ranging from gold-panning and wildlife, to national parks and wildlife refuges. More information is available on our Educational Adventures Pages.
    
    Return to top

 

22. I am a middle school teacher with a class of 25. Can I get a program or movie for my kids?APLIC's education staff provides a full range of on-site programs, education kits and video loans, and a traveling puppet show. Education staff is available Monday through Friday year-round to help.
    
    Return to top