Distance Between Chicken and :  Dawson = 109 mi / 174 km Tok = 78 mi / 125 km Eagle = 95 mi / 155 km Fairbanks = 284 mi / 455 km Anchorage = 515 mi / 824 km Population = 37 Elevation = 1,640 feet / 500 meters.

Note: The area around Chicken is in a large gold mining district (the Fortymile).  All gold bearing ground has been claimed in the Fortymile district.  DO NOT pan in streams.

Located on the Taylor Highway, Chicken was originally called Ptarmigan, named for the plentiful species that is Alaska's state bird. The story goes that that the early miners who settled in the area were not able to spell ptarmigan and so they settled on Chicken. Today the area is still very active in mining and hydraulic operations. Alaska/Yukon Trails operates between Chicken and Fairbanks, Anchorage, Tok, or Dawson City  six days a week. We can drop you off at any campground, trailhead, community or milepost along the way. You may then pick up any returning bus to continue your journey. Just let know! For more information on how to get to this area see our Routes.

  Lost Chicken Creek (2 miles from the town) was the site of the Lost Chicken Hill Mine established in 1895. Gold mining was active in this area several years before the Klondike Gold Rush. Once the rush began, many of the miners from this area streamed across to Dawson City.

Chicken was home to the late Anne Purdy.  An account of her experience, "Tisha" is excellent reading and gives a good feel for the history and people of this area. The book is based on her experience as a young schoolteacher in Chicken during the early part of the last century. Her schoolhouse may be seen in the old town site of Chicken just off the main road. The town site is on private land, but walking tours of the town are given daily at 1pm from the Chicken Creek Cafe.

Two miles south of Chicken is a bridge over the Mosquito Fork of the Fortymile River. This is great access point for the Fortymile National Wild & Scenic River system. Another access point for the same river is located at mile 75.3 (10 miles north of town) at the South Fork bridge.
In the town itself, just below the Chicken airstrip is the access point for the Fortymile River Canoe Trail. For more information on this incredibly scenic untouched wilderness & what it has to offer, visit Bureau of Land Management The BLM Chicken field station is located 2 miles north of the community, as is the trailhead for the Mosquito Ford Dredge trail (3mi / 4.8 km).

Also, for information on excellent hikes, or float trips in the Fortymile River and Trail System visit the The Alaska Public Lands Information Center , the best site for answering ANY questions about state and federal lands in Alaska.

TOWN OF EAGLE AND FLOATING THE YUKON RIVER
30 miles north of Chicken, and 79 miles before Dawson City, the Highway  branches off toward the town of Eagle on the Yukon River.  Continuing 64 miles from the junction the road traverses through sometimes difficult but very scenic terrain. Transportation is limited on this road (Taylor Highway) and getting to Eagle may be easier from Tok, Fairbanks, or Dawson by Air.  The drive from the Junction to Eagle is about 5 hours.  There is a boat service along the Yukon between Eagle and Dawson City (see the Klondike Visitors Center).    Eagle is home to about 250 people.  In 1901 it became Interior Alaska's first incorporated community.

At 1980 miles the Yukon is the fourth longest river in North American and the fifth largest flow volume of ANY river on earth.  Eagle lies 1200 miles from its end at the Bering Sea near Nome.  A pleasant alternative is a float from Eagle to Circle City which takes about five days. Circle City is connected to Fairbanks via the Steese Highway.    The Yukon, from Eagle to Circle is gentle flowing and travels through the Yukon Charley Rivers National Preserve (see National Parks) and some of the most scenic country in North America.  For more information about float options on the Yukon, contact the Eagle Visitor Center PO Box 167, Eagle, AK.  99738.  

Eagle Canoe Rentals (907) 547-2203. Will rent for a five day float downriver  to Circle City.  Getting back is possible via air or highway to Fairbanks.  For more options, visit the Fairbanks Visitor's Center.