Kristie 
Scout
ScoutRoadside Camp on Parks Highway
Convenient state land
This gravel pit area is on state land. While it is just off the highway, there is a buffer of trees that kept traffic sounds to a minimum.
Tent Camping near Cantwell, AK
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Denali National Park near Cantwell, Alaska offers several tent-specific camping options ranging from established campgrounds to remote backcountry units. Igloo Creek Campground provides seven walk-in tent sites located deep within the park boundaries, with wooded, private sites open from May 20 to mid-September. Sanctuary River Campground offers tent-only sites with no hookups or amenities, requiring shuttle bus access as private vehicles cannot reach this area. Backcountry units throughout Denali National Park provide more primitive tent camping experiences for those seeking solitude.
Most tent camping areas near Cantwell require proper preparation as amenities are extremely limited. No drinking water is available at Igloo Creek or Sanctuary River campgrounds, making water purification equipment or carrying your own water essential. Toilets are present at Igloo Creek but absent at most backcountry units. Fires are prohibited in many areas, particularly in the backcountry units, though Igloo Creek does allow fires. Bear-resistant food storage is mandatory throughout the region. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with potential for snow even in summer months, making proper tent equipment crucial for safety.
Tent campers in Denali's backcountry units experience remarkable wildlife viewing and scenic isolation. Unit 13 near Mount Eielson offers expansive tundra landscapes with potential caribou sightings and glacial features. Mosquitoes can be problematic in marshy areas like Unit 34, though camping at higher elevations can reduce this issue while providing panoramic views. Winter tent camping requires specialized equipment and experience, as temperatures drop dramatically. According to one visitor, "Backcountry Unit 34 is plagued by marsh and thousands of mosquitos, but if you have mosquito gear and get up the mountain as quickly as possible you should be fine." Areas like Muldrow Glacier require river crossings and significant hiking time but reward tent campers with pristine wilderness settings.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Cantwell (8)
1. Igloo Creek Campground — Denali National Park
"site: walk-in. wooded. private. amenities: no water. small campground. attractions: creek. Denali park. hiking. wildlife. I would go camping here again."
"Igloo campground is located a decent ways into the park. We were told mosquitoes were the national bird of Alaska haha. It is no joke at this campground. Be prepared for me."
2. Backcountry Entrance Units — Denali National Park
3. Sanctuary River Campground — Denali National Park
"I camped here a few years ago when I was on an Alaska trip with my grandma. We were moving around a lot and this campground was just what we needed for one night. "
4. Dragonfly Creek Backcountry
5. Backcountry Unit 18: Muldrow Glacier — Denali National Park
6. Healy Overlook
"This particular spot is right next to one of the roads to other local campgrounds so be prepared for other cars to drive by occasionally. Because it’s a local spot we must ensure it is kept clean!"
7. Backcountry Unit 34: Mount Galen — Denali National Park
"You will need to hike more to get out of the mosquitos and near a water source though."
8. Backcountry Unit 13: Mount Eielson — Denali National Park
"Winter camping is limited to the parking lot unless you have appropriate gear to winter tent camp but summer camping is endless."
"When choosing which unit you want to backcountry camp in, I would recommend choosing one of the units near the Muldrow glacier."
from $50 - $90 / night
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 26 min from Fairbanks, AK
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Cantwell, AK
4 Photos of 8 Cantwell Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Cantwell, AK
114 Reviews of 8 Cantwell Campgrounds
- JJulie A.Scout
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.
TravelerRiley 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!
- TThomas T.Traveler
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.
RangerRiley 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.
LegendSavage 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.Legend
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.TravelerDenali 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!
Jesse P.ScoutRiley Creek Campground — Denali National Park
Great location
Good location. Quiet. Near river
Guide to Cantwell
Tent camping opportunities near Cantwell, Alaska extend beyond the main Denali campgrounds into less-visited areas. The region sits at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 3,500 feet with summer temperatures averaging 50-65°F during peak season. Winter temperatures regularly drop below -20°F, requiring specialized cold weather equipment for off-season camping.
What to do
Climb for views: At Healy Overlook, tent campers gain access to panoramic vistas of Mt. Healy and Sugarloaf Mountain. "This is an area that locals like to keep somewhat a secret. A beautiful overlook point that you can be camping right across from Mt. Healy with wonderful views of Sugarloaf mountain," notes Gillian H. The access road can be rough, so standard passenger vehicles may struggle.
Wildlife observation: Backcountry Unit 13 near Mount Eielson provides exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. "I saw a herd of 30 caribou here just grazing and getting in the way of my path," reports a camper. The unit requires several miles of hiking before reaching suitable camping areas away from the park road.
Winter adventure: For experienced winter campers, the backcountry entrance units offer solitude and potential northern lights viewing. "Backpacking in Denali National Park and Preserve in the wintertime is rough. Do not try it unless you know what you are doing," cautions one camper. Winter access requires specialized equipment and preparation for extreme conditions.
What campers like
Glacial landscapes: The Muldrow Glacier area attracts tent campers seeking dramatic terrain. "The views are admittedly not that great when you aren't actually on the glacier, but it's such a great little inlet to be in and with multiple water sources. Hiking to beautiful views is very easy from all the camp spots," shares Gillian H.
Small campgrounds: Igloo Creek Campground offers an intimate camping experience with just seven sites. Benjamin C. describes the sites as "walk-in, wooded, private" with attractions including "creek, Denali park, hiking, wildlife." The limited capacity means fewer neighbors and a more secluded experience.
Climbing access: Dragonfly Creek provides tent campers with proximity to local climbing spots outside the national park boundary. "You follow a tiny little path down off the side of the road and can set up camp at the bottom of the rocks. The waterfall is beautiful and it offers wonderful views of the Nenana River," explains one visitor.
What you should know
Bear safety: Bear encounters are a legitimate concern for tent campers throughout the Cantwell region. "There is a bear den in this area so be careful. They ran right in front of me as we were leaving this last time I went. Know what to do with bears and do not follow them, it is their territory after all," warns a Muldrow Glacier visitor.
Mosquito management: Mount Galen backcountry areas can have severe mosquito problems, particularly in marshy sections. One camper advises, "It is plagued by marsh and thousands of mosquitos, but if you have mosquito gear and get up the mountain as quickly as possible you should be fine."
River crossings: Access to many prime tent camping locations requires fording streams and rivers. One Muldrow Glacier camper notes, "You have to cross so many rivers just to get to the start of the glacier area. Expect to be hiking 3-4 hours just to get to the front of the inlet area."
Tips for camping with families
Easy day hikes: When tent camping with children, consider locations with accessible trails nearby. At Sanctuary River Campground, one camper recommends, "Checking out horseshoe lake trail if you need an easy hike and want some nice views. I think it was about 2 miles without much elevation gain."
Water planning: No drinking water is available at many Cantwell area campgrounds, requiring families to carry sufficient supplies. One visitor to Sanctuary River advises, "Be prepared because there is no drinking water here so you need to bring your own or some way to purify it."
Local knowledge: When tent camping with families, seek updated information from rangers before departing. "The road is a bit patchy so rental cars or delicate cars probably shouldn't be taken out there," warns one camper about accessing certain overlook areas.
Tips from RVers
Small RV limitations: Igloo Creek Campground can accommodate small RVs but with significant constraints. "Only 7 campsites but pretty close together. No campfires or communal fire pit," notes Trevor H., indicating the tight spacing that larger rigs would find problematic.
Mosquito preparation: RVers setting up at designated sites should come prepared for intense insect activity. "We were told mosquitoes were the national bird of Alaska haha. It is no joke at this campground," shares one Igloo Creek visitor, suggesting mesh screens and repellents are essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Cantwell, AK?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cantwell, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cantwell, AK is Igloo Creek Campground — Denali National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
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tent camping near
Cantwell, AK?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Cantwell, AK?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Cantwell, AK, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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