Looking to find an RV campground, RV park, or private campsite near Cantwell? Find the best information on RV camping near Cantwell, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your RVing experience. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the woods or a place near local attractions, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect spot for your motorhome.
Denali Rainbow Village RV Park is the closest full service RV Park to Denali National Park. Just 1 mile north of the park entrance, it is surrounded by all services and activities.
$999 / night
We cater to independent travelers and small groups looking for thoughtful accommodations close to Denali National Park. Cantwell Cabins Mountains Cabins and Cafe is located 25 minutes south of Denali National Park on beautiful Carlo Creek.
Discover the heart of Alaska at Cantwell Cabins, Indulge in the culinary delights of our Mountain side Bar and Lounge’, and explore all of the tours and adventures Denali has to offer.
$25 - $40 / night
We are an Alaskan Veteran owned business with friendly staff that caters to our guests.
Cantwell RV Park is located 1/2 hour south of of the entrance to Denali National Park on the Denali Highway west of the Parks Highway. There are many activities in the area to include, hiking, wildlife viewing, BBQ’s, fishing, water excursions and more happens here at Cantwell. We are a small park with clean facilities and friendly staff. We are just off the highway so we do not get the highway noise and since we are built on a gravel pad we have very few mosquitoes. If you look at our google reviews most of our guests are satisfied with the park and service they receive. I have to mention the poppy’s are starting to bloom and they bring beauty to the park. This year we are offering custom made items in the park store, I will be posting samples to this page soon (tumblers, mugs, shirts, hoodies). My husband also does hand and chainsaw bear carvings.
Have a great Alaskan vacation and we hope to see you this season, if not staying with us, stop in and have a cup a coffee or join us for one of our cookouts.
$50 / night
Located just 30 minutes from the South Entrance to Denali National Park, this is one of the BEST private properties along the Parks Highway! We are strategically located on a 1960's homestead w/ views of Mount McKinley on a clear day! Nearby Summit Lake & Fish Creek are perfect for Grayling fishing. This is a DRY cabin meaning there's no running water. We do have a generator for power (You provide the gasoline), a kitchenette with a coffee maker, fridge, microwave and countertop. There is a Porta-Potty on site. It's a FANTASTIC place to relax outside the business of the Park. It has the most incredible mountain scenery! Bring S'mores & some firewood to enjoy a true Alaskan experience around the fire pit! Sleeps 4. Pets allowed. No Smoking!
$175 - $225 / night
Riley Creek Campground is a fairly wooded campground, with some screening between sites whenever possible. Most of the campground sites are open to either tent campers or vehicles / RVs. The proximity of Highway 3 means there is occasional traffic noise, but also means campers have all the conveniences and amenities of the park entrance area, and businesses outside the park, close at hand. Trails leading from the campground connect to the Denali Visitor Center, which is the central hub of trails in the entrance area.
Scout
I was staying there with some friends for 2 nights, the RV Park was full, everything was beautiful, you have an amazing view to appreciate, you can go with your family also because it is a quiet place.
Guide
My family stayed at Riley Creek in July of 2015 for 2 days and loved it so much that we decided to stay for 7 nights this summer. There is a moderate amount of traffic with camper trailers and vehicles coming and going, but it isn't unbearable. 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. It is a great place to be for easy driving, walking, and free shuttle access to all that the park has to offer. It is a great place to stay, just make sure you make online reservations to guarantee a spot!
Ranger
I abosolutely love this campground. The drive is amazingly beautiful with great views and wildlife spottings. With a camper trailer we went slow on the Denali highway (about 25) the whole time. There are about 20 first come first serve sites. There was not a camp host this year but there will be for 2019. A lady does come clean the campgrounds and does a great job. There is a nice atv/waking trail with berry pickings. There’s a creek for fishing and rafting. There is a water pump on site for water. There’s also a communal area with cooking and storage lockers. There is one over flow parking/camping area that was used by a group and seemed like a fun spot to gather. Lots of bike riding opportunities. This is a perfect spot for families, hikers, fishers or just people who want to hangout and enjoy the scenery. We will be 100% be coming back next year.
RangerThe RV spots are well maintained and groomed, this spot was amazing and great something to add was the staff and how great they are
ScoutWithin 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. We've camped in the spring, summer and during the fall. Well maintained and sites are semi secluded. You can see your neighbors but there are plenty of trees and vegetation around to make you feel like you're secluded. Plenty of sites for tents, cab overs, motor homes and trailers depending on your preference. Fire pits available. Gets a bit busy during the peak of the season so reserve early if coming during those times. Great place to stay close to the park!!!
Legend
“Did you get your Denali reservations, yet?” For months we heard this common refrain from my mother each time we called. We were planning a visit to the park during the first week of August, and here it was April and there was still plenty of availability for the furthest campground into the park that you can take a trailer, camper, RV or motorhome. Still, there’s a reason why it’s so in demand. Not only is the campground beautiful, nestled in between the foothills and the banks of the braided Teklanika river, but it greatly reduces your travel time into the rest of the park by bus.
The campground offers medium-sized sites, some back-in, some pull-through, picnic tables, fire rings, fresh potable water and vault-style toilets like many other national park campgrounds. None of the campsites offered electrical hook ups, so bring your solar panels. We were able to charge our system by simply putting our portable solar panel out into the open.
If you’re driving your personal vehicle, you can make your reservation between 3 minimum required nights or 14 maximum nights. (If you take the bus, you only need to make a reservation for 1 night – but why would you only stay 1 night?– this is Denali, people!) The purpose for the stay requirement of drivers is to minimize vehicle traffic on the gravel park road. You get to drive in once on the first day of your reservation, and out once on the last day– any other day in-between you’re taking the bus.
Once you get to the campground, the sites are first-come, first-served. There will be enough sites for everyone with a reservation, but your choices might be limited if you arrive later in the day.
To ride the bus, you must purchase a separate “Tek” bus pass which is a one-time fee and good for the entire length of your stay. You can go in either direction on the bus, hop-on/ hop-off any place you want between the end of the road and Park Headquarters. The buses can accommodate 3 bikes, so if you want to ride one way and take the bus back like we did, that's a great option! One note on the Tek Pass, if you go all the way back to the Visitor’s Center you will need to purchase an additional bus pass to get back to camp. So, do your VC stuff before and after you camp within the park.
Groceries are best purchased at the Three Bears in nearby Healy, around 15 miles from the park entrance, they have better prices and a wider selection than in Denali town, including a full liquor store. There are bars, restaurants, hotels and t-shirt shops aplenty there too.
Traveler
Great place to camp. Sites are big. Has water and electric hook ups. A dump station. Has washer and dryer. Has showers for a price. Would easily come back.
ScoutWe were visiting Denali from California and was our first time in Alaska. We were not only blown away by the beauty of Denali, but the campground was stunning as well. Most campers had RVs which made for a very quiet campground during days and nights. That's not something we are used to in California. It was so relaxing. The only downside was that thr bathroom near our site was basically an outhouse and there was no running water anywhere. Made it difficult to do dishes, wash hands, etc. I would rent an RV next time.
TravelerIn the late Spring NPS starts trying to plow the road to Kantishna, Riley Creek is free till around the 10th of May or the season opening weekend. Minimal services are open, even outside of the Park so go prepared...
You can drive in to mi 30, Teklanika, many people take Mtn bikes and ride the road in from there.... after the Park opens you can only drive in to mi 10 and have to take a bus to go any further...
Riley has several paved loops, large parking spots at each site (easy 2x vehicles, some trailers) level tent sites and a heavy wooden table, round fire rings w/grate.
Water and bathroom facilities for each loop, trails to the nearby Visitor Center, Train Depot, etc thru the campground which is gently rolling, wooded terrain, nice amount of elbow room around each campsite...
Some May's it's 80 degrees and blistering sun, this year it was in the low 40's, mixed rain/snow....
After the Fall road lottery the road again opens to Teklanika but snow could close it at any time...
TravelerI've only ever stayed the night during the shoulder seasons, and not during the prime tourist rush. The spots are decently sized and the tent spots have a tent pad that is level and root free! In the height of the tourist season it will fill up completely and feel kind of closterphobic with how tightly packed the spots are.
TravelerThis is a nice campground for truck campers, small trailers, etc. If you have a long trailer or big rig only sies 18, 21, and 22 are very usable. These are in the large gravel area to the left just as you turn in. If you have a big rig or long trailer DO NOT go beyond this point. It will be very bad on you getting out.
Water hand pump available. Nice river nearby. beautiful valley with mountains all around.
LegendWe stayed here twice (each time for 1 night) on our way to and from Fairbanks. We visited in March 2022 so since it was winter camping season, it was first come, first serve and camping is free. There’s no water or electricity but the bathrooms were open at the campsite across from us.
You can fill up water bottles at the winter information center a little bit up the road if needed.
They only plow certain campsites so you have to drive all around the loop to find a spot. It’s so quiet and peaceful at night, I could’ve stayed there forever!
During our first visit, some kind campers flying back home gave us some of their leftover fresh caught salmon so we cooked it over our fire pit that a previous camper was so nice to dig out for us! Not all the campsites had the fire pits dug out but the one we were in was.
The sky is beautiful and lights up with stars when the sky is clear. I’m sure it’s just as beautiful in the summertime but it was definitely magical in the winter.
Traveler
Savage river is a nice campsite that you can drive to in Denali National Park. It is also possible to see Denali from here. Mixture of tents and RVs
GuideThis is a great campsite near the entrance of Denali Park. Stubby taiga trees and brush separate sites but it's a busy place so be prepared for noise from traffic and other campers. No hookups. Make reservations online up to 6 months in advance to secure your spot. The Denali Visitors Center is a must see, and sign up for a bus tour if you have a whole day to spare. It's a long ride but you can get off and day hike if you're so inclined. The kennels are a fun way to pass a few hours, checking out the pups that pull the dog sleds for the National Park Service in winter.
GuideLarge campground for car camping, RVs and tents. Open approximately May to September. If you're backpacking, you wouldn't really stay here. Get a permit and a bear canister and head out into the wilds away from the campground noise! Ranger programs per schedule.
LegendLoved this NP campground. Quiet and convenient spot to park a tent/camper. Easy walk/drive to bus depot/visitors center/town. They have a mercantile store open to book buses, pay for camping, get beer, ice cream, some goodies. They have laundry and showers (need quarters). Level spots! They do not have electric etc but have a dump station and water.
Denali is awesome. Beautiful hikes, go see the sled dog demo, took a bus tour into the park past the point where no personal vehicles are allowed. 30% chance of seeing Denali. Rainy and foggy when we were there so we saw a small glimpse behind the clouds but you would never know it's this huge mountain. Also beautiful fall colors at this time. Weather changing quickly!!
There was a bear that has destroyed a tent so they had part of campground blocked off. They have three loops: bear, wolf or caribou and no soft sided tents were allowed at this time.
RangerWe camped here for the first time in 2017. We have now made it a plan to visit once every season. We have decided to end our camping season is with this spot. It is perfect for families with a little over 21st come first serve camp sites. The spot is about 30 miles east of the Parks Highway with beautiful views along the way. The kids rode their bikes, picked berries, hiked, fished and played in the creek. I would highly recommend this camping trip be added to your summer!
GuideThis is one sweet campground, though we found it a little loud at times as some groups were staying there as well. Takes RVs and Tents. There's running water, flush toilets and a great evening program each night with a ranger. We stayed a few days would hop on the bus each day (there was a fee) to where we wanted to explore and then catch the bus back when were were done. Great experience.
ScoutThis was my first time camping in Denali and even though it’s the off season it was fantastic. The sites were super clean and even with a few other people there it was very quiet. You are really close to a bunch of hiking trails as well.
GuideRiley Creek Campground is accessible to both tents and RVs. This is the largest campground in Denali that has a mercantile, laundry ($2/wash or dry), showers ($4.50 for 10 minutes), potable water, toilets, and dump station. There is also a free shuttle that has multiple stops including the visitor center, wilderness access center, and multiple trails within he first 15 miles of the park (to Savage River). Overall this is a convenient campground with many amenities great for all groups/types of campers.
RangerWe got there first day of the season and there was a ton more snow than normal. Made the sites a little trickier to get into. There are 2 pull through site options at the end of each of the loops. I think one is site #14. Site #13 has the best view but it’s all first come first serve. Clean bathrooms
LegendWe got to Denali the day the park closed. We we're not planning on staying in the park but we enjoyed it so much that we decided to. By the time we drove out of the park, they had closed all of the campgrounds for the season except for Riley Creek Campground. When the park closes the campground served on a first come first serve basis and had no fees. We had a great spot next to the showers and bathrooms but they had been locked down for the season. There was still running water at an outdoor sink and a pit toilet. There is also a small bear proof public cabin that you can store all of your food in for safety. Campground has a lot of trees which were a welcome site compared to other campgrounds we stayed in. If you get to the park before it fully shuts down for snow, you can drive into the first 30 miles in your private vehicle. It is very worth it! Don't miss hiking the Savage Loop trail. Wonderful views and an easy hike!
ScoutThe spaces are very small. I have a 24’ trailer and there were not many spots I would fit. The spots were narrow, and most were perpendicular to the road, making it difficult to back it.
On the up side, the spaces weee very secluded, and the campground was very quiet.
It was nice being so far into the park, but with the road closed at around mile 41, there weren’t many hikes.
LegendThis is the second time I've stayed here. We came in mid-May and the facilities had just opened. We had running water and bathrooms. You can go to the Mercantile for showers ($4.50) and laundry ($4.00). This is such a great campground that we decided to stay an extra night. Very family friendly and conveniently located to everything yet quiet. All the campsites look really good and are kept up nicely. Cost is $24 per night or free out of season.
Traveler
Over 10 free campsites, no electric, no water. Pit toilets available. Sites have tables and fire rings. This is a gem of a find! When Denali closed due to wildfires my family and I found this spot which saved our vacation. Some sites are overgrown, mosquitoes are bad so bring spray.
GuideThis was out second campsite of our 8 night Alaska trip. We were there for two nights. This campground has a family campground feel with all the RV's and family groups; not that that's a bad thing! The campground was probably 80% full, but still quiet and enough solitude. The campground is right on the Denali park road where all the shuttles and buses pass through the park. We reserved a spot to take us all the way to the Eielson Visitors Center which is a ~4 hour one-way trip from Savage River Campground. Anyone reading this and considering going to Denali - you WILL see wildlife. We saw a family of foxes, caribou, grizzly bears, a marmot, ground and red squirrels, moose, bald eagles, and a variety of other birds. There is a popular short hike from the campground down to Savage River, and the camp host told us that people see moose and bear a lot in the morning on that hike. Other things to note are: Denali Education Center (outside of the park) - we went to yoga here; Healy - check out 49th State Brewing ( they have the "Into the Wild" bus from the movie).
RangerShowers are at the mercantile, $5 for 5 min. They have washers and dryers too. $2 wash/$2 dry. The campground is quiet and the sites are all well designed and level.
Discover the beauty of RV camping near Cantwell, Alaska, where stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures await. This area offers a variety of campgrounds equipped with essential amenities for a comfortable stay.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Cantwell, AK is Denali Rainbow Village RV Park & Motel with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.
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