Best Campgrounds near Cantwell, AK

Cantwell, Alaska serves as a gateway to Denali National Park with several established campgrounds and dispersed camping areas throughout the region. Riley Creek Campground, located at the entrance to Denali National Park, provides tent and RV sites with picnic tables and fire rings in a wooded setting. Cantwell RV Park offers full hookups for larger vehicles, while Wildthingz Dog Mushing features unique cabin accommodations. The area includes a mix of National Park Service facilities, private campgrounds, and primitive sites along the Denali Highway corridor, accommodating everything from tent camping to RV parking with varying levels of amenities.

Road conditions and seasonal availability significantly impact camping options in the Cantwell area. Many campgrounds in Denali National Park operate only from mid-May through mid-September due to Alaska's harsh winters. "Alaska in the summer especially near the parks camps can be pretty overwhelming," noted one camper at Brushkana Creek Campground. Wildlife encounters are common throughout the region, with bears, moose, and caribou frequently spotted near camping areas. Visitors should carry bear spray, prepare for mosquitoes (described by one camper as "the national bird of Alaska"), and pack appropriate gear for rapidly changing weather conditions. Cell service varies significantly, with better coverage near established facilities and limited or no service in more remote areas.

Campers consistently highlight wildlife viewing opportunities and scenic landscapes as primary draws to the area. The campgrounds within Denali National Park receive particularly high ratings for their natural settings and proximity to hiking trails. One visitor at Savage River Campground described it as having "gorgeous scenery and great park access" with "spacious" sites that "had lots of privacy." Several reviewers mentioned the benefit of staying at Riley Creek or Savage River campgrounds for convenient access to park shuttle buses, which provide transportation deeper into Denali where private vehicles are restricted. Teklanika River Campground, located 29 miles into the park, offers a more remote experience with "long views of snow topped mountains, long sloping hillsides, and spruce forest" according to visitor feedback, though it requires a minimum three-night stay.

Best Camping Sites Near Cantwell, Alaska (31)

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Recent Reviews near Cantwell, AK

113 Reviews of 31 Cantwell Campgrounds


  • Joe H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Roadside Camp on Parks Highway

    Good free spot

    Only downfall was we could hear the highway but at night there wasn’t much traffic. Secluded spots. Good stop.

  • Andrea W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Denali Rainbow Village RV Park & Motel

    Very high prized for what you get

    Gravel, puddles, dirt, grubby showers. WIFI for free for 30 minutes, afterwards you pay extra. Showers are USD 5.00. The place is the least cared for we visited so far. However, if you want to visit Denali park and you want to fully hook-up, this is the closest you will find.

  • Danny W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Healy Overlook

    There’s a line entrance blocking access

    Couldn’t get to site

  • P
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Roadside Camp on Parks Highway

    Beautiful view of Mt Healy.

    Looking for a place to camp near Denali as main campground full. I don’t know why more people are not here! Have a great tucked in flat site. Walked around and see one RV and one other tent both with great spots. It’s quiet and sheltered. The kids enjoyed all the bunny sightings.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Roadside Camp on Parks Highway

    Fine Camping… if there are people

    A bit creepy of an area. Pretty hidden off the highway and doesn’t feel like the safest spot.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2025

    Denali RV Park and Motel

    Worse Experience to Date

    After 350+ campground (CG) reviews, we are writing our first 1-star review. The CG was right off the highway, and we followed signage into the office to check in. We had reserved back-in site J9 and paid$10 to lock it in so we could set out our deck and enjoy the mountain view. Our travel partners were in site J8—an end cap into a hill—and we shoehorned our rig next to theirs. Sites are very tight throughout the CG. Utilities are at the far end of the gravel pad; we needed 18’ of sewer hose to reach. Water pressure was inconsistent, around 35 psi, but we had no issues with 30 AMP power. Verizon had 4 bars LTE, T-Mobile 2 bars LTE. Wi-Fi is supposedly shared with the motel, but despite seeing the network, we couldn’t connect. With how crowded it was, we placed our Starlink on the roof to get a clear shot of the sky and avoid damage. We initially parked our F450 by the motel across the way, but later saw a“motel guests only” sign and returned to the office to ask where we should park. At check-in, the young woman was polite, but when we returned, an older woman (likely the manager) was at the desk checking in a Thai couple. She wasn't understanding their last name, even when the young lady spelled it very clearly--only three letters. The couple explained how Thai last names work, but the manager was clearly impatient and flustered with their spelling and reassigned them to another site—seemingly after giving away the one they reserved. The husband was visibly frustrated and ended up walking out. In our opinion, this interaction reflected racial bias. Then it was our turn: we explained our parking situation and asked if we could park by the motel. Instead of help, we got a lecture about how we should’ve reserved a site based on our rig’s dimensions (a pull through), which we thought we had as the site was listed as 45' and we are 40'. This is the first time we came across a CG that lists the site as the literal size versus what size rig could fit with room to still fit your tow vehicle. We were told there were two overflow options elsewhere in the CG. We were lucky enough to have a sliver of yard and ended up parking on our site basically between our rig and our friends' next to us. Later, the camp host knocked and asked us to move the F450, despite a 40’ fifth wheel just having navigated the area past us. We complied, but pointed out a rig with an unusually long-hitch sticking in the road with cones. We had used that as a marker on how far we could stick out. They made that person move in more on their site as well, but as they had been there well before us, we're not sure they would have said anything to them if we hadn't pointed it out. Since we had been told we should have reserved a pull through, we checked them out and found we still would have been creative with parking at our site. Sadly, there aren’t many big rig options in the area—but next time we’ll stay in the pullout before this place.

  • Popsicle R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2025

    Cantwell Gravel Camp

    Not a legal spot

    Confirming Kerry's report from last summer. No camping sign still posted.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2024

    Roadside Camp on Parks Highway

    Best 5g cell service near Denali National Park

    I ended up doing car camping here on a whim because it was super rainy and I wanted somewhere I could comfortably car camp without running into the risk of being disturbed and let me tell you this was such a beautiful and safe space to be camping. The best part of it all, if you have AT&T you get full 5g service in the mountains. It was great 10/10 will be camping when I pass through here again.


Guide to Cantwell

Cantwell, Alaska provides centralized access to Denali National Park at an elevation of 2,219 feet where temperatures can drop below freezing even in summer months. Camping options near Cantwell range from remote riverside sites to established campgrounds with varying services. The region's subarctic climate creates a brief camping season from May through September when daylight extends 18+ hours.

What to do

Wildlife viewing along rivers: Teklanika River Campground, located 29 miles into Denali National Park, offers excellent wildlife spotting opportunities. "The day I left I was awakened by a moose and her calf in my camp site who were luckily non aggressive and didn't seem to care about me at all," reports one camper. The riverbed provides natural hiking paths for animal observation.

Take advantage of bus access: Savage River Campground serves as a strategic basecamp for park exploration. "We spent 2 nights and used the Savage River Campground as a jumping off point to travel further into the park. We had a our best hikes from the campground," notes a visitor. The nearby shuttle stop lets campers access deeper park areas where private vehicles aren't permitted.

Try dog mushing experiences: For a uniquely Alaskan activity, Wildthingz Dog Mushing offers tent cabins at an active dog sledding facility. "This unique stay in Alaska trains dogs for sledding," explains one visitor. Guests can learn about this traditional transportation method while camping on-site.

What campers like

Quiet campsites with separation: Campers appreciate the privacy at certain Cantwell area campgrounds. At Savage River Campground, visitors note "The campsite was spacious and had lots of privacy, with a picnic table, fire ring and plenty of space for a large tent. Our site backed up to woods that were filled with spongy, mossy ground coverings."

Access to hiking options: The proximity to trails ranks high for campers. "We enjoyed hiking along the river. We were lucky to have a grouse pair come into our campsite. We also took advantage of the ranger talk that was given in the evening," reports a camper about their experience.

Natural soundscapes: The running water from nearby rivers provides peaceful background noise. One camper at Teklanika notes, "You can hear the river flowing and it can lull you to sleep despite the near constant daylight." This natural white noise helps mask other campground sounds.

What you should know

Reservations required: Teklanika River Campground has specific booking requirements. "Requires a minimum 3 night stay with no access to the front of the park (without additional fees) once you arrive. Campers here purchase a Tek Pass which allows access further into the park via the bus system," explains one reviewer.

Limited facilities: Many campgrounds have basic amenities only. "Has pit toilets and water. Ranger talks posted. Great for families. Near bus stop to take camper bus farther into park. No marked trails but you can hike along river or road," notes a visitor about Teklanika.

Extended daylight impacts sleep: Summer camping means dealing with the midnight sun. "Make sure you have your thermarest and sleeping mask the midnight sun is real and you'll need it to get some shut eye," advises a camper. Blackout sleeping masks are essential during summer months.

Tips for camping with families

Ranger programs: Riley Creek Campground offers educational opportunities for children. "If you have kids, be sure to check out a discovery backpack filled with activities and science kits they can use. Our 9-year-old loved it so much she asked for a science kit for Christmas!" shares one family.

River exploration: Shallow parts of rivers provide natural play areas. "The river bar made for excellent hiking and adventures for the whole family with plenty of animals to see," notes a family at Teklanika River Campground.

Base camp strategy: Some families use established campgrounds as stable bases. "My husband and I stayed here in a rented rv for the most memorable camping experience of my life. The kids used our site as a base camp of familial safety for their backcountry permitted camping excursions," explains one parent about their Teklanika stay.

Tips from RVers

Hookup limitations: Cantwell RV Park provides some of the area's few full-service RV sites. "Great stay, very clean and well kept," notes one RVer, though options with full hookups are limited in the region.

Size restrictions: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. "This is one of those parking lot RV parks. There are a lack of options in Cantwell so if you want to hook up your RV this is probably where you will end up," explains a visitor at Cantwell Lodge and Private Campground.

Dump station access: Denali Grizzly Bear Resort provides sanitary dump facilities for RVers. "It's a nice cozy place for a night to relax before the big bus ride though the Denali park. Reasonable prices and great spots too some right on the river front," notes one visitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Cantwell campgrounds?

Amenities vary across Cantwell-area campgrounds. Riley Creek Campground in nearby Denali National Park offers well-maintained sites with edged outlines, walking distance to trails, visitor center, store, and bus depot. Savage River Campground provides spacious sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and privacy with forested surroundings. Most developed campgrounds in the area include basic amenities like toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Some campgrounds like Igloo Creek are more primitive without campfires allowed. RV-specific sites with hookups are available at Cantwell Lodge and Private Campground and Cantwell RV Park. Water access varies by location, so it's advisable to bring your own drinking water, especially at more remote sites.

Where can I find camping spots near Cantwell, Alaska?

Cantwell offers several camping options for visitors exploring this gateway to Denali. Brushkana Creek Campground provides first-come, first-served sites directly on the creek with plenty of space for exploration. For those needing RV hookups, Cantwell Lodge and Private Campground offers a convenient parking lot-style setup with helpful owners. Additional options include dispersed camping at Parks Highway pullouts, and several excellent campgrounds within Denali National Park like Savage River, Sanctuary River, and Riley Creek, all accessible via the park entrance about 30 minutes from Cantwell. For a more unique experience, consider checking out specialty accommodations like Wildthingz Dog Mushing or Denali's Doorstep cabin.

What is the best time of year to camp in Cantwell, Alaska?

The optimal camping season in Cantwell runs from late May through early September. Summer (June-August) offers pleasant temperatures and extended daylight hours—even midnight sun conditions—ideal for exploration. Igloo Creek Campground and other area sites are most accessible during this peak season, though be prepared for mosquitoes, which are particularly abundant in July. Early fall (September) brings beautiful colors and fewer crowds at places like Sanctuary River Campground, though temperatures begin to drop. Spring camping (May) is possible but can be muddy as the ground thaws. Winter camping is extremely challenging due to harsh conditions and limited accessibility, with most campgrounds closed. Always check seasonal closure dates when planning your trip, as they vary by location.