Camping near Denali National Park

Camping near Denali National Park ranges from established campgrounds to more remote spots in the Alaskan wilderness. Riley Creek Campground sits inside the park with basic sites that include restrooms and drinking water, not far from the main visitor center where you can get information and join ranger programs. Teklanika River Campground lets you camp deeper in the park but requires you to stay at least three nights, which gives you time to fish in the nearby river. If you need RV facilities, Denali RV Park and Motel outside the park has full hookups and a place to empty your tanks. The area has many trails for day hikes and places to see wildlife like moose, bears, and caribou. Make sure you know the rules—you'll need permits for backcountry camping, and sometimes fires aren't allowed when it's dry. Book your site well ahead of time, especially from June through August when most people visit. Weather can change quickly here, so pack layers and rain gear even in summer. Spring and fall are less crowded but colder. The park runs shuttle buses that can drop you at different trails and viewpoints if you don't want to drive. Camping at Denali gives you a real taste of Alaska's wild landscape, whether you stay at a developed site or head into the backcountry.

Best Camping Sites Near Denali National Park (31)

    1. Riley Creek Campground — Denali National Park

    36 Reviews
    Healy, AK
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 683-9532

    "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."

    "A perfect Campground for your stay in Denali National Park. Beautifully wooded sites allow for you to hear nature and feel like part of the wilderness."

    2. Teklanika River Campground — Denali National Park

    13 Reviews
    Denali National Park & Preserve, AK
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 683-2294

    "requires a road permit and you to park your car or rv and stay until stay complete. near a glacial river and one hour into Denali National park. has pit toilets and water. ranger talks posted. great for"

    "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!"

    3. Savage River Campground — Denali National Park

    13 Reviews
    Denali National Park, AK
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 272-7275

    "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."

    "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"

    4. Igloo Creek Campground — Denali National Park

    2 Reviews
    Denali National Park & Preserve, AK
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 683-2294

    "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."

    5. Sanctuary River Campground — Denali National Park

    1 Review
    Denali National Park & Preserve, AK
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 683-2294

    "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.  "

    6. Backcountry Unit 31: Polychrome Mountain — Denali National Park

    1 Review
    Denali National Park & Preserve, AK
    10 miles

    $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."

    7. Roadside Camp on Parks Highway

    5 Reviews
    Healy, AK
    20 miles

    "Looking 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."

    "Only downfall was we could hear the highway but at night there wasn’t much traffic. Secluded spots. Good stop."

    9. Denali RV Park and Motel

    4 Reviews
    Healy, AK
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 683-1500

    "Camp sites are close to each other, but the staff gave us two sites for the price of one to park my truck. The views are amazing, and the other campers were very respectful."

    "Spent the night as a drive thru from Fairbanks to anchorage. Was clean and well kept. Showers were great. But the spots were tight and very close together. No fires."

    10. Denali Rainbow Village RV Park & Motel

    3 Reviews
    Healy, AK
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 683-7777

    $999 / night

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Recent Reviews near Denali National Park

130 Reviews of 31 Denali National Park Campgrounds


  • Joe H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Roadside Camp on Parks Highway

    Good free spot

    Only downfall was we could hear the highway but at night there wasn’t much traffic. Secluded spots. Good stop.

  • Andrea W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Denali Rainbow Village RV Park & Motel

    Very high prized for what you get

    Gravel, 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.

  • Danny W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Healy Overlook

    There’s a line entrance blocking access

    Couldn’t get to site

  • P
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Roadside Camp on Parks Highway

    Beautiful view of Mt Healy.

    Looking 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.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Roadside Camp on Parks Highway

    Fine Camping… if there are people

    A bit creepy of an area. Pretty hidden off the highway and doesn’t feel like the safest spot.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Popsicle R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2025

    Cantwell Gravel Camp

    Not a legal spot

    Confirming Kerry's report from last summer. No camping sign still posted.


Guide to Denali National Park

Camping near Denali National Park, Alaska, offers a unique experience surrounded by stunning landscapes and wildlife. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking an RV, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from, each with its own charm.

What to do:

  • Explore Denali National Park: The park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. One camper mentioned, "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." This makes it easy to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and wildlife.
  • Rent ATVs: Just outside the park, you can rent ATVs for some thrilling adventures. A visitor shared, "Just outside the park we rented ATV and had a great time in the open lands."
  • Wildlife Viewing: Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. One camper noted, "As soon as we get there we spot caribou right at the river," highlighting the chances of seeing animals up close.

What campers like:

  • Secluded Campsites: Many campers appreciate the privacy offered by the sites. One review stated, "The sites in this part of the campground are more private and there is a trail that connects it to the visitor center," referring to the Riley Creek Campground.
  • Clean Facilities: Campers often mention the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at the Teklanika River Campground said, "Super clean toilets that are located close to every site."
  • Convenient Amenities: Campgrounds like Riley Creek Campground have stores nearby for essentials. One camper appreciated the convenience, saying, "Well within walking distance to store, visitor center."

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in summer. One camper at Wonder Lake Campground warned, "The mosquitoes are INSANE. Just unreal."
  • Limited RV Access: Some campgrounds have restrictions for larger RVs. A review for Brushkana Creek Campground mentioned, "If you have a long trailer or big rig only sites 18, 21, and 22 are very usable."
  • First-Come, First-Served: Many campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A visitor at Teklanika River Campground noted, "There will be enough sites for everyone with a reservation, but your choices might be limited if you arrive later in the day."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with amenities like showers and laundry. One camper at Riley Creek Campground mentioned, "They have laundry and showers (need quarters)."
  • Plan for Activities: Engage kids with ranger talks and nature walks. A family at Savage River Campground enjoyed, "We also took advantage of the ranger talk that was given in the evening."
  • Pack for Weather Changes: Weather can be unpredictable. One camper advised, "Weather changing quickly!!" so be ready for anything.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review for Teklanika River Campground mentioned, "The spaces are very small. I have a 24’ trailer and there were not many spots I would fit."
  • Use Solar Power: Since many campgrounds lack electric hookups, consider bringing solar panels. A camper noted, "None of the campsites offered electrical hook ups, so bring your solar panels."
  • Plan for Bus Passes: If you want to explore the park, you’ll need a bus pass. One visitor explained, "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."

Camping near Denali National Park, Alaska, is an adventure filled with natural beauty and wildlife. With the right preparation and knowledge, you can make the most of your trip!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I camp in an RV at Denali National Park?

Yes, Denali National Park accommodates RV camping at several locations. Riley Creek Campground near the park entrance is RV-friendly and offers convenient access to the merchant store for showers and basic supplies. Teklanika River Campground allows RVs but requires a road permit, and you must park your vehicle for the duration of your stay. For those seeking more amenities, there are private options near the park including Denali RV Park and Motel and Denali Rainbow Village RV Park. The East Fork Chulitna Wayside between Denali State and National Park offers about 10 basic RV sites with toilets and trash cans but no hookups. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during peak summer season.

Where can I find tent camping sites in Denali National Park?

Tent campers have numerous options throughout Denali National Park. Backcountry Unit 31: Polychrome Mountain offers pristine wilderness camping for experienced backpackers. The National Park Service limits the number of campers in each backcountry unit, ensuring solitude. For those preferring established campgrounds, Sanctuary River Campground provides a more secluded experience. Near the entrance, Riley Creek offers tent sites with proximity to amenities. Savage River Campground has excellent tent sites with fire pits and picnic tables where you can hear the soothing sounds of the river. Igloo Creek Campground provides a more remote tent camping experience. Most tent sites require advance reservations through the park's reservation system, especially during the peak summer season.

What are the best campgrounds in Denali National Park?

Denali National Park offers several exceptional campgrounds with unique advantages. Wonder Lake Campground is considered a premier destination, located 85 miles from the entrance with spectacular views of Denali on clear days. Only accessible by a 4.5-hour bus ride, it provides an immersive wilderness experience. Savage River Campground is another excellent option closer to the park entrance, featuring tent sites and fire pits with picnic tables. As the last drive-in campground along the park road, it offers stunning scenery, river sounds, and good opportunities for wildlife viewing. Other notable options include Riley Creek near the park entrance, Teklanika River for a more remote experience, and backcountry units for adventurous campers seeking solitude.