Camping options near Delta Junction, Alaska range from state recreation areas to private RV parks. The area sits at the junction of the Alaska and Richardson Highways at about 1,158 feet elevation, where temperatures can range from -50°F in winter to 90°F in summer. Camping season typically runs from May through September, with some sites closing earlier depending on weather conditions.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Quartz Lake State Rec Area offers stocked fishing with Arctic char and rainbow trout. A camper noted, "The lake is stocked with fish and you can see plenty swimming around as soon as you look in the water."
Hiking trails: Donnelly Creek State Rec Area provides access to trails with views of the Alaska Range. One visitor shared, "Behind most of the sites is access to Donnelly Creek and boy oh boy the views of the Alaska Range are magnificent. We had a beautiful walk along the path."
Water recreation: Birch Lake State Recreation Site offers swimming areas ideal for families. A camper mentioned, "There's a rental place near by for water toys which makes a great day on the water for kids. I would choose this place to swim over Harding Lake this summer due to high waters at Harding."
Historical exploration: Visit the exhibits at Big Delta State Historical Park and Rika's Roadhouse. A camper reported, "The adjacent historic park and Rika's Roadhouse exhibits are worth exploring and close by on foot. In addition, a portion of the Alaska pipeline runs behind the campground area."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Quartz Lake State Rec Area offers well-spaced campsites. A visitor wrote, "The campsites were huge and there was a lot of privacy between spots. The lake is lovely and there is a rental place that you just have to call and they'll be there promptly."
Family-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer recreational facilities beyond camping. One camper at Quartz Lake mentioned, "It also has picnic tables, a tiny beach, a beach volleyball court, and a sandpit for the little ones."
Crystal clear water: Clearwater State Recreation Site lives up to its name. A camper described it as having the "clearest bluest water I've seen in a long time."
Peaceful atmosphere: Little Lost Lake offers a quieter alternative to busier campgrounds. A camper noted, "Not to be outdone by its bigger brother at Quartz Lake, Little Lost Lake campground is a gem of its own."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity can be spotty throughout the area. At Big Delta State Historical Park, one camper reported, "We didn't get much of a phone signal, but Starlink worked great as there are no trees in the camping area."
Variable site sizes: Not all campgrounds accommodate large RVs. At Delta State Recreation Site, a camper advised it's "not suitable for 40' fifth wheels—primarily for two reasons: narrow roads with tight turns where overhanging tree branches could easily scrape your rig."
Seasonal considerations: Most rv sites near Delta Junction, Alaska operate from May through September. Lost Lake State Recreation Site can be a good option in late season, with one camper noting, "We did come here in very late August and the Lost lake campground had only one camper."
Road conditions: Some access roads require careful navigation. At Donnelly Creek, a camper warned, "The road through is full of pot holes but don't let it deter you, it just requires a little navigation."
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities: Several campgrounds offer water access with child-friendly areas. A visitor to Birch Lake shared, "There's a dock, and shared grassy area for this campground. There's a rental place near by for water toys which makes a great day on the water for kids."
Recreation facilities: Salcha River State Recreation Site provides fishing opportunities for children. A visitor recounted, "Caught my first fish ever here! It was a catfish I think."
Kid-friendly hiking: Some campgrounds offer trails suitable for younger hikers. One camper at Quartz Lake mentioned, "Beautiful campground, beautiful lake and wonderful hiking trails for the whole family."
Weather preparedness: The area can experience unexpected weather events. A camper at Salcha River shared, "We were sitting in our van and all of the sudden there was an earthquake! Just a small one but it was kind of exciting."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Some RV camping sites near Delta Junction have size limitations. For Delta State Recreation Site, a camper advised there are "Short, narrow sites that don't provide enough swing room for a 62' truck and trailer combo."
Hookup availability: Electric options vary between campgrounds. Clearwater State Recreation Site offers more primitive camping with "Hand water pump, no hookups available," according to one visitor.
Parking configurations: At Big Delta State Historical Park, a camper noted, "The camping area is essentially a large gravel parking lot with minimal site definition. Other than the Pull Through Site sign there's no map or marked boundaries."
Utility options: For those needing dump services, one camper at Big Delta mentioned, "There's a dump station available down the road leading to the back of the park, along with a potable water spigot."
