Campbell Creek Science Center

The feel

The center sits within the 730-acre Campbell Tract, which has over 25 miles of trails. Inside, the exhibits are modest: murals about the region's ecology, local wildlife specimens and artifacts, and an exhibit called "A Year in the Boreal Forest". On the porch at the north entrance, a model beaver lodge is made for children to crawl through.

Beyond the paved pathways around the building, the trails have a wood-chip surface. Salmon runs bring brown bears to the creek from June to October.

What to expect

Crowds and best time

Open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center also runs programs outside those hours.

Parking

Take Elmore Road, go east onto BLM Road near the brown "Campbell Tract" sign, then go left at the Y onto Science Center Drive. It is .75 mile to the large parking lot at the end of the road.

Fees and passes

No fee. Fee-based in-person programs are booked on Recreation.gov, which charges a non-refundable $1 per program ticket.

Kids

The beaver lodge on the porch is made for crawling through.

Hazards

Brown bears at the creek from June to October. Travel in groups, make noise and carry bear spray. Eating is not allowed outside because of bears.

Bathrooms and water

Two flush toilets and a drinking fountain with a bottle-filling station inside the center, open during operating hours.

Season and access

Closed federal holidays. The gate is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pathways and benches can be snow covered or icy in winter.

Mingo says

Plan your visit for a weekday. In summer and early fall, treat the creek as bear country.

Before you go

• Arrive between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on a weekday, when the gate is open, and check the posted gate signs for closing hours.
• Carry bear spray and walk in a group on the trails.
• Eat before you walk out to the trails, since eating outside is not allowed.
• Call (907) 621-4602 with questions about programs.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.