Best Tent Camping near Ester, AK
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Best Tent Sites Near Ester, AK (7)
1. Summit Trail
Ester, Alaska1 ReviewFrom trailhead , the trail climbs over a small dome then drops into the trees before junction with the Ski Loop Trail. The trail continues to climb past Wickersham Dome to its highest point at 3,100 feet near mile ten. The trail then decends through the spruce forest to Beaver Creek and Borealis ?LeFevre Cabin. Crossing Beaver Creek in the summer can be very dangerous at high water and hikers should be aware of their abilities before trying any stream crossing.
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2. Wickersham Creek Trail Shelter
Ester, Alaska1 ReviewThe Wickersham Creek Trail Shelter was constructed in 1975 by the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) as an emergency shelter for winter recreators. It is available on a first come first served basis and no fees are charged for its use. The 8' x 10' log cabin can sleep two people in bunk beds, and has a wood stove for heat. The shelter is equipped with one small bunk, a cook counter, propane cookstove and lantern, an ax and a bowsaw. The Wickersham Creek Trail Shelter is not accessible by ATV's in the summer. The Wickersham Creek trail summer conditions are poor and boggy and not recommended for hiking. ACTIVITIES Hiking Winter Sports Wildlife Viewing Fire Lookouts/cabins Overnight
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3. Upper Chatanika River State Rec Area
Fort Wainwright, Alaska3 Reviews•8 Photos•9 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Trash
- Picnic Table
4. Summit Trail Shelter
Ester, Alaska1 ReviewThe Summit Trail Shelter, constructed in 2003, is a 10'x10' log cabin with 1 bunk bed and a table. The cabin is approximately 8 miles from the Wickersham Dome Trailhead adjacent to the Summit Trail and is generally intended for summer use. The small cabin offers emergency shelter during inclement weather, and is on a first come first serve basis. No fees are charged for its use. Unlike the other White Mountains cabins, it has no woodstove. The Summit trail is open to non-motorized use only. ACTIVITIES Hiking Picnicking Winter Sports Wildlife Viewing Fire Lookouts/cabins Overnight
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6. Table Top Mountain Loop Trail
Badger, Alaska1 ReviewThe Table Top Mountain Trail climbs above tree line and passes through a regenerating spruce forest from prior forest fires. The trail tops a large mesa-shaped mountain with a view of the White Mountains before descending back through spruce and birch to the Nome Creek Road.
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Recent Tent Reviews in Ester
86 Reviews of 7 Ester Campgrounds
All Kind Of V.
Scout
Chena Lake Recreation Area
on stream
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Wes F.
GuideChena Lake Recreation Area
Close to town but still in the sticks
We stayed on the river side of Chena lakes campground. Had a great huge pull through campsite. Lots of room for our three dogs. Ranger patrolled on the regular making us feel safe and keeping things in order.
- KKerry B.
Traveler
Pioneer Park
convenient and low cost stay in Fairbanks
We stayed here in a 40' 5th wheel. We parked in the west row along the trees. This was a good spot, but the sun goes behing the trees about 5 in summer, if you are looking for solar charging. We noted that the parking rules are pretty loose as to where you stay. If the RV spots are full, we saw several just pick a spot in the regular lot. If you keep a clean area you may be able to stay more than 5 days, we did. The water spigot is on the south side of lot near the turn in. The trash cans can get full quick. The pay stand is on the north side of lot near the first entrance to Pioneer Park, by the small shack. No out of state checks. You can also pay in the office inside the park during business hours.
It can be noisy at times because of the close intersection. Some generators are LOUD and one guy ran his about 12 hours a day. I would think an extra battery would be cheaper than all that fuel.
It is a very busy place with the park and Alaska Bake activity. Lots of cars and the lot gets pretty full with that sometimes.
Free dump and water fill at the Sourdough gas station located at Van Horn and Lathrop streets just a few miles south, with easy rig access.
We would stay again if we ever go back to Fairbanks.
Adarsh S.ScoutChena Lake Recreation Area
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Refreshing place visit now , i love the environment
Corinna C.Scout
Tanana Valley Campground
Camping in tanana
Nice and quite , close to shoping.
- EErica C.Guide
Rosehip Campground
Beautiful Spot
This campground is beautiful! Surrounded by birch trees with huge, private spots. This is one of the first campgrounds on the Chena Hot Springs road and it does have service. The only downside was the mosquitos, they were bad.
- EErica C.Guide
Tanana Valley Campground
Camp in Fairbanks
This is a great location, right in Fairbanks by the fairgrounds. Don’t book site 28 or 27 as you will end up camping in a parking lot. Also, the bathrooms are closed for the season so to take a shower, we had to walk through a dog show in the fairgrounds to get ourselves clean. Laundry is good!
- Wes F.Guide
Chena Lake Recreation Area
Great stay
Clean, friendly, safe
- Kristi D.
LegendTanana Valley Campground
Convenient campground
I was concerned when I first looked at reviews when I booked this campground. It seemed to be split 50/50. Some would stay here again and some wouldnt. The KOA resort people probably wouldn't. I feel like you get what you pay for here. It was super convenient to stores/restaurants in Fairbanks.
The fairgrounds is right next door so I can see that when events take place it could be loud and bring in all sorts of people (could lead to people drinking and stealing). I saw some people mention airport noise with planes flying over, but I didn't notice the noise at all.
It's a small campground so close to your neighbors but it's in a big town. You are still in the woods. They had firewood available to purchase, a dump station, electric hookups, laundry (cheap - $2 each machine) and showers/bathrooms aren't beautiful but the showers clean and I got a nice lot shower and I hadn't had a good shower in a while! Quick RV wash offs aren't the same as a nice long hot shower. I would stay here again, oh and spot was level :).
- MMelinda S.Guide
Ophir Creek Campground — White Mountains National Recreation Area
Beautiful little campground, lightly used
I stayed there for a couple of weekdays in mid-July, and was had the place largely to myself except for a fairly substantial porcupine that wandered through one morning. The spots are well-spaced but most of them are pretty shallow, and not suitable for larger rigs or trailers. I did see one large class C using the group camping area, which is basically a large parking lot with an outhouse and trash bin. But, because many of the spots aren't great they look like they're not getting a lot of use (overgrown). Still, the good spots are great and the campground is as tidy and well-kept as we've come to expect from BLM Alaska campgrounds. Easy creek access!
- AAaron B.Scout
Nenana RV Park & Campground
Nice Town
4th of July parade / town party was awesome
- AAaron B.Scout
Tanana Valley Campground
Eclectic campground.
Parked a 37 foot trailer in a 30 spot next to the office. Not a quiet campground but it isn’t bad. This was 50 amp spot for $45/night. Restroom/showers not modern but adequate.
- Dacia M.Scout
Nenana RV Park & Campground
Great experience
Campsite was clean and easily accessible. My kids enjoyed the park across the road and had mini golf and a Rhoades car available for use. Showers and bathroom and laundry nice and close. We were camping in a tent and although it was sunny the trees in the yard gave the perfect amount of shade.
Andrew V.Traveler
Harding Lake State Recreation Area
Fantastic and Clean Campground, Great for Kids
Harding Lake State Recreation Area is a shady and scenic site about twenty minutes from North Pole. The lesser-known and elder cousin of the many water-themed state recreation areas that trace the Richardson Highway from Fairbanks to Delta Junction.
This large and accommodating campground boasts a boat launch into Harding Lake, a baseball field, a large group recreation area near the water, a self-guided nature trail, a trailer dump site, and unpotable bulk water--along with various bathrooms with trash receptacles.
Our family of 5 tent camped in May and had a fantastic weekend. 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. I also hit two first-pitch homeruns off my 9 and 5 year old--which may or not be related to the magic of this field--but I choose to believe.
The spacious and thoughtfully-designed campground certainly feels beyond its prime--old, unserviceable water pumps (perhaps not yet operable for the season); aspen saplings dotting the baseball infield; and many downed spruces over the nature trail. The posted maps are a little outdated. However, 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. The camping spots are well-placed along the loop to allow for varying degrees of privacy between sites.
Mosquitoes are everywhere in springtime Alaska--please let me know when you find a campground in a birch forest without them. That said, 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--but they soon dispersed and only became annoying for intermittent periods.
Overall this was a magnificent campground, quiet and clean, with plenty for the kids to do. Fantastic and memorable experience.
Ashley F.Legend
Why Knot Sleep Here
Flat spaces, peace and quiet, close to Chena Hot Springs!
Ashley here with The Dyrt. I'd like to extend a warm welcome to your host, Ray. Camping is offered on a flat area, perfect for your tent or RV. There are no hook-ups, so be prepared to have all that you need. Enjoy the peace and calm of this little slice of heaven. We're so excited to have them on The Dyrt!
Riley N.Legend
Salcha River State Recreation Site
Earthquake!
We loved camping here! 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. The have restrooms, water pump, and a boat launch as well.
- Riley N.Legend
Lower Chatanika River State Recreation Area
Right by the river
These spots are fairly dispersed. Some have picnic tables and fire pits at them others don’t. It didn’t seem to crowded but there were a few other people around us.
- Riley N.Legend
Ski Loop Trail
Not what we thought it would be
There are grounds across from the trailhead. They’re very average it’s just a big dirt spot. Also the location is off on here you need to driver further. We did this in July and we didn’t have time to hike the trail so maybe the trail makes it better. For us very average.
- Riley N.Legend
Rivers Edge RV Park & Campground
By the river
Nice spots by the river. The Chena grill is on site which is great! The site was quiet and had picnic tables.
- Riley N.Legend
Pioneer Park
Just a parking lot
It’s nice of you need a place to stay. Just a parking lot nothing fancy. We got to play with some puppies people were selling which was nice.
- Chris D.Traveler
Chena Lake Recreation Area
Last minute getaway
Very well maintained campground with lots to offer. Staff was courteous and helpful. This campground offers both back in and pull through boondock sites. All the sites are spacious a decent distance from neighbors. Centralized Water, bathrooms, and a dump station are available. Sites are a short drive to the swim beach.
- Riley N.Legend
Upper Chatanika River State Rec Area
A little crowded but great site
We drove to the very back and found a spot in the river. A lot of spots had wood stacked at them already and had picnic tables and fire pits. There is a bathroom on site as well. It was the most crowded site we have been to up here yet but the spots offer privacy so it didn’t bother us.
- Riley N.Legend
Whitefish Campground
Sites right on the river
This was another one of our favorite spots for camping. We were right on the river and traffic was low. There was two other people there so we had plenty of space. We slept amazing next to the river!
- Riley N.Legend
Chena Lake Recreation Area
Lots of birch trees
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. Our spot was shaded and looked beautiful with the sun peaking through. Fairly quiet all night. There are bathrooms near the dam but not on the grounds.
- KKatie E.Traveler
Lower Chatanika State Recreation Area
ATV TRAILS!!
Olnes pond campground has 1 cabin that you can reserve and pay fee online only. The campsites are FCFS and not reservable. Outhouses are decently placed around the pond. Good spacing between sites and close together sites for groups with multiple families, including spots on the pond edge.
- Riley N.Legend
Lower Chatanika State Recreation Area
Pretty views cool wildlife
We got a spot right on the pond it was so pretty! We saw a beaver and a hawk catch a fish right in front of us which was cool. Grounds are clean and fairly spaced out.
- Riley N.Legend
Rosehip Campground
Nice clean facilities
The spots are fairly wooded. There are lots of mosquitoes in the area also. They have some sports you can park and walk to as well which is nice! Everything is clean as well. Not crowded either.
Guide to Ester
Tent camping near Ester, Alaska offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of the region. With a variety of well-reviewed sites, campers can enjoy the great outdoors while experiencing the tranquility of Alaska.
Tent campers appreciate these amenities
- At the Summit Trail, you'll find a peaceful environment perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle, though amenities are minimal.
- The Upper Chatanika River State Rec Area features drinking water and picnic tables, making it a convenient spot for families and groups.
- For a more rustic experience, the Salcha River State Rec Area offers a chance to fish and enjoy nature without the distractions of modern amenities.
Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $20
- Camping at the Wickersham Creek Trail Shelter is budget-friendly, providing a great spot for those looking to save while enjoying the outdoors.
- The Table Top Mountain Loop Trail offers affordable tent camping options, perfect for hikers wanting to explore the scenic trails nearby.
- At the Summit Trail Shelter, you can enjoy a low-cost camping experience while taking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Tips for tent camping near Ester
- Be prepared for limited amenities at places like the Summit Trail, where there are no electric hookups or showers, so pack accordingly.
- Mosquitoes can be a nuisance, especially at the Upper Chatanika River State Rec Area, so bring repellent to ensure a comfortable stay.
- If you're looking for a quiet retreat, consider the Wickersham Creek Trail Shelter, which offers a serene atmosphere ideal for relaxation and reflection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ester, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ester, AK is Summit Trail with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Ester, AK?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Ester, AK, with real photos and reviews from campers.