Recreational vehicle camping near Ester, Alaska offers camping options in boreal forest terrain at elevations around 700 feet. Summer temperatures range from 40°F at night to 70°F during the daytime with extended daylight hours. Camping spots around Ester typically open from mid-May through mid-September, with facilities closing before winter's harsh conditions arrive.
What to do
Riverside activities: At Chena Lake Recreation Area, visitors can enjoy the beach and water recreation. "The beach area is great fun for all with grassy and sandy areas. There is a bunch of trails to hike around, paved biking trails, a basketball court, volleyball courts and of course a playground," writes one camper who found it highly suitable for families.
Local exploration: Pioneer Park serves as a convenient base for exploring Fairbanks attractions. "The park is like an old time amusement park without rides. It is really cool though. There is a Salmon Bake restaurant that seems very popular," notes a visitor who appreciated the unique setting despite the simple parking lot camping arrangement.
Hot springs access: Camping sites provide access to natural hot springs in the region. "We used this site as a base camp to venture out to hiking (Angels Rock) and to Chena Hot Springs, which is about an hour away. Both are worth it," reported a camper staying at River Park Campground.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Campers appreciate the natural surroundings at River Park Campground where the setting creates a wilderness feel. "We were delighted how this campground (in a city) feels like wilderness...the camp sites aren't right on top of each other and there is foliage around," shared one visitor who enjoyed the natural setting.
Affordable laundry facilities: Tanana Valley Campground offers practical amenities at reasonable prices. "Laundry works quickly and effectively. Clean, warm showers and bath. Location close to town, but you feel like your in the forest," noted a satisfied camper who appreciated the convenience combined with natural surroundings.
Riverfront locations: Several campgrounds feature sites along local rivers. "This RV park sits right on the banks of the Chena River... The river spots are a little extra a night but well worth it," commented one camper about Rivers Edge RV Park, highlighting the premium value of waterside locations.
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Most camping facilities operate on limited schedules. "We stayed here for 2 nights free and paid for 3 nights over memorial weekend," mentioned a Chena Lake Recreation Area visitor, indicating mixed pricing structures during different periods.
Insect preparation: Summer brings mosquitoes to the area. "I'm not sure if we planned the trip around the largest mosquito outbreak ever but this is the first time I wanted a head net! The bugs were terrible but the campsite wonderful," warns a camper who still enjoyed their overall experience.
Site variation: Nenana RV Park & Campground and others offer different site types with varying amenities. "This is a small campground in town. The hosts are out standing and the shower house was very clean with a new shower mat provided for each shower," reported a visitor who appreciated the attention to cleanliness.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer play areas for children. "We enjoyed this ground. It had a lot of day use areas, plenty of places to sit and look out over the lakes and river," notes a family who stayed at Chena Lake Recreation Area.
Educational opportunities: Local camping provides access to cultural and historical sites. "The town is small but has a museum with a fun caretaker and is worth a stop," shared a visitor to Nenana who found value beyond just the campground facilities.
Water activities: Fairbanks / Chena River KOA offers family-friendly features near water. "They have a nice grassy area with a few picnic tables to pitch. The bathrooms are a bit of a walk from the tents, but the wonderful and free showers are nice," explained a camper who utilized the tent camping options.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through availability: Many RV parks near Ester offer easy access sites. "Beautiful RV park, clean bathrooms, right on the river and super helpful staff. Most sites are pull through," noted a visitor to Fairbanks / Chena River KOA.
Spacing considerations: Be prepared for varied site spacing across different campgrounds. "Whereas the campground map may make these sites look tight we were pleasantly surprised to find most of them had trees and brush separating each site," explains a Rivers Edge RV Park camper who found more privacy than expected.
Electric-only options: Several campgrounds offer partial hookups. "Electric at site, water and dump stations. Bathrooms & laundry and for 1/2 the price of everywhere around," shared a Tanana Valley Campground visitor who appreciated the cost savings for campers not requiring full hookups.
