Best RV Parks & Resorts near Denali National Park and Preserve

RV Park Reviews near Denali National Park and Preserve

85 Reviews of 17 Denali National Park and Preserve Campgrounds

• 

  MickandKarla W.

  Legend

  Jul. 17, 2025

  Denali RV Park and Motel

  Worse Experience to Date

  After 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.

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• V

  Valerie L.

  Scout

  Aug. 4, 2018

  Riley Creek Campground — Denali National Park

  Ok

  The sites are all very nice and mostly private. My dissatisfaction came from limited generator hours and shower/laundry facility hours. If you are gone all day on tours and hikes, you don't have any time at all for showering or using the generator when you return. Also, you have to pay $4.50 for 10 minutes of water in the shower. That being said, the water was hot and the facilities were clean. Shower hours are 7am - 830pm. Same for laundry. 2 hrs of generator time in the am (8-10) and 4 in the pm (4-8).

• G

  Glenn M.

  Scout

  Oct. 10, 2018

  Riley Creek Campground — Denali National Park

  Quiet, Peaceful!

  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. 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!!!

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• 

  Shari G.

  Legend

  Oct. 12, 2022

  Teklanika River Campground — Denali National Park

  Possibly Denali's Best Campground!

  “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.

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• 

  Elizabeth G.

  Legend

  Mar. 28, 2022

  Riley Creek Campground — Denali National Park

  In love with this place!

  We 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.

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• 

  Hannah C.

  Legend

  May. 14, 2019

  Riley Creek Campground — Denali National Park

  Great campground

  This 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.

• D

  Delaine N.

  Guide

  Jul. 5, 2018

  Riley Creek Campground — Denali National Park

  Peaceful & scenic

  This campground is very well kept and scenic. It has nice size gravel areas for rv’s and a raised bed area if you have a tent. The restrooms are very clean and well located. There is a free dump station and water. There is a very clean shower & laundry building by the office. In the office is a nice selection of gifts and some groceries & delicious coffee!!

• E

  Emily N.

  Scout

  Aug. 6, 2018

  Riley Creek Campground — Denali National Park

  Everything you need

  Riley creek is near the Denali National Park entrance. It’s also a short walk to the merchant store where you can shower or get basic essentials. Try to shower earlier in the day for cleanest showers. Showers coat $4. You must get a token from the cashier. The campground is very nice. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. Tons of trees for shade and hammocks.

• 

  Kathy M.

  Guide

  Jul. 26, 2018

  Riley Creek Campground — Denali National Park

  Convenient Camping

  Riley 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.