Fairbanks and the surrounding areas provide various glamping options near Eielson AFB, Alaska, situated about 26 miles southeast of Fairbanks at an elevation of 547 feet. During summer months, temperatures average 50-70°F while winter temperatures can drop to -20°F or lower. The region features vast boreal forests with white birch and spruce trees, creating distinctive seasonal camping conditions across multiple state recreation sites.
What to do
Baseball and recreation fields: At Harding Lake State Recreation Area, families can enjoy unexpected sports amenities. "The sandlot-reminiscent baseball field was a rare and magical find that suited our family's wiffleball addiction perfectly. It's like wandering through a moss grove and emerging into a boreal baseball field. A subarctic Field of Dreams," shares Andrew V.
Ice Museum tours: The unique Ice Museum at Chena Hot Springs Resort offers a distinctive arctic experience. "Defined try the ice museum tour it was so cool! The appletinis are great too," recommends Riley N. Tours run year-round, providing a fascinating glimpse into ice art and arctic culture.
Fishing opportunities: Salcha River State Recreation Site offers excellent fishing access. One camper notes, "Caught my first fish ever here! It was a catfish I think," shares Joe C. The river access points make this location ideal for anglers of all experience levels.
Water sports and rentals: Many recreation areas feature water equipment rentals. "There is a water toys rental by the boat launch that offers paddle boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards $25/2 hours or $35 for all day. They are only open Friday-Sunday or by appointment," explains Samantha M. about activities at Harding Lake.
What campers like
Forest camping with hot springs access: Visitors appreciate the combination of natural settings with thermal features. "Chena Hot Springs offers a full resort experience with hotel rooms, cabins, restaurants, and a host of activities including soaking in the infamous hot pools. It also offers camping with and without electrical hook-ups in either creek side privacy or open lot RV parking," explains Shari G.
Winter aurora viewing: The Salcha River State Recreation Site provides excellent northern lights viewing opportunities. "The river is so pretty and the mountains are beautiful. 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. The sunrise was also beautiful over the water," shares Riley N.
Wilderness feel close to amenities: Many appreciate the balance of nature with convenience. "We were delighted how this campground (in a city) feels like wilderness. In late Aug it was getting cooler and sparsely populated. In July, it was pretty crowded but the camp sites aren't right on top of each other and there is foliage around," notes Stacey C. about River Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance receives frequent praise. "The campground boasted some of the cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen, anywhere-with a very friendly on-site host who came by to chat and kept the facilities in pristine condition," writes Andrew V. about Harding Lake State Recreation Area.
What you should know
Mosquito preparation essential: Alaska's summer insects require planning. "The mosquitoes were unbearable outside and in 73 degree weather you needed to be completely covered," warns Samantha M. about Harding Lake. Another camper adds, "Bring all the bug repellant and preventative measures you can muster. I was swarmed by a biblical cloud of man-eating Culicidae when we first pulled in."
Limited services: Many glamping areas near Eielson AFB have minimal amenities. "The nearest services for groceries are about 45 miles back down the road toward Fairbanks, or North Pole, AK," advises Shari G. about Chena Hot Springs area.
Age restrictions: Some facilities have unexpected limitations. "If you are traveling with children, they can go in the swimming pools but not the hot springs themselves which is really why we all go here," explains Tanya B. about Chena Hot Springs Resort.
Seasonal considerations: Water levels affect recreation options. "The water was so high that the only water play area was the boat launch area. The kids still had a great time but I would check the water level before coming back," suggests Samantha M.
Tips for camping with families
Beach and water activities: Look for sites with designated swimming areas. "This campground had a roped off beach area where people played, lounged, kayak/canoe and spent all day. If we came again I would bring more beach appropriate items," recommends Samantha M. about River Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children enjoy spotting local animals. "There were plenty of opportunities to view wildlife as moose came running through our campsite," reports Samantha M. about Harding Lake experiences.
Playground access: Some sites offer play equipment. "The playground and bike/walking trails were great. The kids thought it was fun to watch the many tadpoles!" shares Samantha M. about River Park Campground.
Winter cabin options: For cold weather glamping near Eielson AFB, consider rustic cabins. "We rented the Forget-me-Not cabin. It's a dry cabin with an outhouse, but it does have electricity and a DVD player. Just make sure you bring your own DVDs if you plan to use it," advises Samantha F. about winter stays at Chena Hot Springs.
Tips from RVers
Water and hookup availability: RV glampers should check site specifications. "There is a dump station, water, and plenty of bathrooms throughout the campground. There are no electric hookups," notes Samantha M. about facilities at Harding Lake.
Levelness and drainage: Site conditions vary seasonally. "Level spots but wet from rain. Puddles etc..." cautions Kristi D. about camping at Chena Hot Springs.
Dry camping options: Many sites offer boondocking with amenities nearby. "20 a site, dry. There are a few sites that have trees surrounding the sites, offering a bit of privacy. A few sites are open and face the resort and road. Potable water and dump station on grounds," describes M P. about RV camping at Chena Hot Springs.
Solar considerations: Forest coverage impacts power generation. "The opportunity for solar power collection was limited by the trees, so plan ahead. We parked in the main lot for awhile to recharge, then took our rig back into the campground. Worked well!" suggests Shari G.
