The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Camping near Cantwell, AK

31 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

Search destinations
    Add dates
    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    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.

    Connectivity Maps

    Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
    Map showing cell service coverage and campground pins
    Try Connectivity Maps

    Best Campgrounds near Cantwell (31)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPets

      1. Riley Creek Campground — Denali National Park

      4.6(39)24mi from CantwellRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "The sites are nicely maintained with nice, edged out tent pad areas. The surrounding trees provide a nice barrier between sites so you don't feel crammed into the campground."

      "Within walking distance to "Glitter Gulch" and trails at the entrance to the park. We've camped there for many years and always had a peaceful nights rest."

      Check Availability

      2. Cantwell RV Park

      5.0(1)1mi from CantwellRVs, Tents

      from $50 / night

      Check Availability

      3. Wildthingz Dog Mushing

      5.0(1)3mi from Cantwell1 siteCabins, Glamping

      "This unique stay in Alaska trains dogs for sledding.  Check them out and make sure to leave a review on the Dyrt!"

      from $85 - $110 / night

      Check Availability

      4. Cantwell Lodge and Private Campground

      2.3(3)0mi from CantwellRVs, Cabins

      from $25 - $40 / night

      Check Availability

      5. Cantwell Gravel Camp

      1.0(2)1mi from Cantwell

      6. Savage River Campground — Denali National Park

      4.3(15)26mi from CantwellRVs, Tents

      "This campsite was in the Savage River Campground in Denali National Park, just outside the bus station for the park transit and close to the bathrooms."

      "We walked to the savage river at the back of the campground and explored this area, attended a great ranger talk and had some fabulous mountain views."

      Check Availability

      7. Teklanika River Campground — Denali National Park

      4.6(14)27mi from CantwellRVs, Tents

      "This campground is located at mile 29 of the denali park road so if you're taking the bus that's where you need to get off!"

      "Teklanika Campground is a phenomenal location for camping in Denali."

      Check Availability

      8. Denali Grizzly Bear Resort

      3.3(3)18mi from CantwellRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      from $58 - $369 / night

      Check Availability

      9. East Fork Chulitna Wayside

      4.0(4)22mi from CantwellRVs, Tents

      "You'll have to make your own path to the river, grass is high. Watch out for bears."

      "Not getting much maintenance done around here. But any free camping spot with fire rings and picnic tables gets a good review from me."

      10. Denali's Doorstep: Dry Cabin with beds for 4, incredible views, kayaks, and a Fire Pit

      Be the first to review5mi from Cantwell1 siteRVs, Tents

      from $175 - $225 / night

      Check Availability
    View all 31 campgrounds

    Drive Time

    Recent Camping Photos near Cantwell, AK

    42 Photos of 31 Cantwell Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Recent Reviews near Cantwell, AK

    123 Reviews of 31 Cantwell Campgrounds

    • J
      Aug. 28, 2026

      Savage River Campground — Denali National Park

      Extremely nasty hostess and appalling welcome to Denali

      Positive points as follows:- 

      - Fabulous location inside the park with fantastic wildlife viewing on route(we saw moose and a grizzly bear at the side of the road)- 

      - Nice wooded sites 

      What we didn’t like:

      - I made my reservation months in advance and received an email confirmation with a reference number. I assumed that this email was all I needed to confirm my booking on arrival.

      - Within the main body of the email there is a big heading stating“important information” and in that section the only item that is highlighted is the lack of WiFi service at the campsite.

      - We arrived at 11pm at night. There was no notice of where to check in or indeed which site to go to. At previous campsites I had received a lovely email to welcome us and provide directions for our arrival

      .- The next morning, one of the most unpleasant, nasty people that I have ever had the misfortune to meet came banging on our RV door. There was no welcome or kind words or even a smile. She introduced herself as the camp hostess (clearly she is in the wrong line of work) and demanded that we leave the site immediately, stating we had 6 minutes to vacate and instructing us to drive 30 mins down the road to another campsite where the check-in reception was located and where we had to buy our park permits. No understanding or interest in our long journey the night before, nor the fact that we were a family with young children.

      - We discovered after the fact that the there was a link within the confirmation of reservation email that you have to click on to take you to a separate website with all the information about check-in! This information should be in the main body of the email NOT on a click through.

      - We spoke to other people in the campsite who had experienced exactly the same issues. They had been unaware of the check-in procedure and had received the same nasty treatment from the same nasty old woman! 

      Recommendations:

      -Key information about check-in should be in the main body of the email especially if check-it is at an entirely separate location, a 30 minute drive away;

      - That lady should not be employed in the hospitality business and certainly not as a hostess!! She has absolutely no people skills, kindness or understanding. She is a terrible introduction and  first impression to anyone visiting Denali as a tourist. She really put a bad taste in our mouths and was not a nice representative for Alaska and its people!

    • Mario A.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 21, 2026

      Riley Creek Campground — Denali National Park

      Convenient

      Very conveniently located, a walking distance from the buss depot. Showers available at the mercantile area. Bear Loop is best (closest to showers, laundry and store. But the best thing is your in Denali!

    • T
      Aug. 19, 2026

      Riley Creek Campground — Denali National Park

      Amazing campsite

      Stayed in a B site on August 17. Toilets were one of the best I’ve seen. Each spot was secluded from the others so it felt private. Check in at the mercantile. They have showers and laundry there. Overall a great campsite

    • Connie B.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 3, 2026

      Riley Creek Campground — Denali National Park

      I love this campground !!

      This campground is very clean, well spaced between sites, convenient to all the park amenities like showers and laundry. The restrooms are very clean with soap and hand dryers. I can’t say enough good things about this campground!!

    • Douglas S.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 20, 2026

      Savage River Campground — Denali National Park

      Slightly above average for a National Park campground.

      This National Park campground offers a basic primitive experience for anyone that is looking to enjoy the majestic beauties of the Denali National Park.

      Reservations for the campground are made online, however occasionally it is possible to show up and get an unclaimed site. The campground includes a full-time camp host, vault toilets and strategically placed freshwater spigots.

      As for the rest I will let the pictures do the talking.

    • Douglas S.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 20, 2026

      Denali Grizzly Bear Resort

      This is more of a hotel than a campground.

      This is really a hotel that happens to have campsites on it. There is electrical and water hook up at each site but no sewer. There is however a dump station. Word of warning if you have an RV that is 35 ft or longer this campsite is not for you.

      I would also like to add that showers are $5 for 7 minutes and the laundry facility at the time of this review was out of order.

      As for the rest I'll let the pictures do the talking

    • Eric B.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 18, 2026

      Denali RV Park and Motel

      Quick & Free Motor Cycle Camping

      Not bad for a free site close to the highway. It is rocky but no worse than some paid camp sites. Not sure if it is because of the cold wind but no mosquitos!

    • KThe Dyrt Pro User
      Jun. 28, 2026

      Roadside Camp on Parks Highway

      Solid free camping spot

      Nice pull-off with established areas and fire pits. We camped in a van, so it was perfect. A bit rough for tent camping, as it’s fairly rocky

    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.

    Keep Exploring

    4. View all Alaska cities for camping