Denali National Park and Preserve, AK is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Denali National Park and Preserve, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
Hatcher Pass Backcountry Sites
5 hrs 59 min away
"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."
$16 / night
"Yes, the mosquitoes are bad, but I honestly didn’t find them to be that much worse than elsewhere in Alaska."
"Camping at Wonder Lake in Denali National Park, close by the tallest peak in North America, seemed like the perfect way to end our trip to all 59 national parks. It was even more than we expected."
"You will need to hike more to get out of the mosquitos and near a water source though."
$50 - $90 / night
"Like any place in Alaska, be BearAware and protect yourself but understand you are in their country out here so take all the necessary precautions."
"When choosing which unit you want to backcountry camp in, I would recommend choosing one of the units near the Muldrow glacier."
"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."
"site: walk-in. wooded. private. amenities: no water. small campground. attractions: creek. Denali park. hiking. wildlife. I would go camping here again."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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. "
$50 - $90 / night
"Denali National Park and Preserve allows for backcountry camping. With that comes extreme risks as it is one of the most remote places that you can be."
ScoutOnly downfall was we could hear the highway but at night there wasn’t much traffic. Secluded spots. Good stop.
GuideGravel, 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.
ScoutCouldn’t get to site
ScoutLooking 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.
TravelerA bit creepy of an area. Pretty hidden off the highway and doesn’t feel like the safest spot.
LegendAfter 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.
ScoutConfirming Kerry's report from last summer. No camping sign still posted.
ScoutI really love this place, its very nice and calm place. unitedmods
ScoutI 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.
Camping near Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska, offers stunning views and a chance to connect with nature. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking an RV, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from, each with its own unique charm.
Camping near Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska, is an adventure filled with natural beauty and unique experiences. Whether you're hiking, fishing, or just soaking in the views, there's something for everyone in this stunning part of the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Denali National Park and Preserve?
According to TheDyrt.com, Denali National Park and Preserve offers a wide range of camping options, with 30 campgrounds and RV parks near Denali National Park and Preserve and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Denali National Park and Preserve?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Denali National Park and Preserve is Teklanika River Campground — Denali National Park with a 4.6-star rating from 13 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Denali National Park and Preserve?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Denali National Park and Preserve.
What parks are near Denali National Park and Preserve?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 parks near Denali National Park and Preserve that allow camping, notably Denali National Park & Preserve and Denali National Park.
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