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Best Tent Camping near Fairbanks, AK

100 Reviews

Tent camping near Fairbanks, Alaska provides access to the rugged wilderness of Interior Alaska with options ranging from established campgrounds to remote backcountry sites. Upper Chatanika River State Recreation Area, located along the Steese Highway, offers tent campsites with river access and basic amenities. Several trail-accessible tent camping areas are available in the surrounding hills, including Summit Trail and Quartz Creek Trail, which provide more primitive tent-only camping experiences for hikers seeking solitude.

Most tent campgrounds near Fairbanks operate seasonally from May through September, with some BLM sites like Cripple Creek extending into November. Tent campsites at Upper Chatanika feature fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets, while primitive tent camping areas along trails typically lack facilities. Mosquitoes are abundant during summer months, particularly near water sources. Campers should prepare for variable weather conditions even in summer, with temperatures potentially dropping below freezing at night. Several tent sites offer riverside locations, though privacy between sites varies by location. Berry picking opportunities exist near Upper Chatanika in August and early September.

Backcountry tent camping options include hike-in sites at Wickersham Creek Trail Shelter and Summit Trail Shelter, both offering more remote experiences. Campers noted that "primitive camping on gravel bars on the river" is possible west of Upper Chatanika River campground, though 4WD vehicles are recommended for access. According to reviews, Upper Chatanika can become "crowded" during peak season, though "the spots offer privacy." For those seeking walk-in tent sites, the trail shelters provide basic protection while maintaining a wilderness experience. Table Top Mountain Loop Trail offers tent-only camping with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors should check current fire regulations before planning trips, as restrictions may apply in certain areas and during dry periods.

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Best Tent Sites Near Fairbanks, Alaska (9)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Fairbanks, AK

100 Reviews of 9 Fairbanks Campgrounds

  • M
    Sep. 18, 2018

    Cripple Creek Campground

    Lovely little BLM campground

    The BLM has some of the nicest campgrounds in Alaska, and this one is no exception. There are 12 sites with plenty of space between, although they're small for large RVs and trailers (it was perfect for my teardrop trailer). The sites are not directly on the Chatanika River, but you can hear the river running in the background and there is a trail that runs along the riverbank between the campground and the day use area. There are a few walk-in tent sites between the main campground and the river, as well.

    Like other BLM facilities it's cleaned and well-maintained, and there are signs up showing local wildlife. Each camping spot has a fire pit and picnic table, and there is a pump to get untreated water near campsite 7. Because it's only about an hour from Fairbanks it doesn't get much traffic from people passing through, although it can get busy during hunting season.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2022

    Chena Hot Springs Resort

    Forest Camping + Hot Springs = Heaven!

    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. It is a world-famous destination with shuttle buses to and from Fairbanks daily. You will meet people from all over the world. 

    Camping and soaking are charged separately, as are any extra experiences like the Ice Museum (glad I did it, not sure I would again).  Vault toilets, rubbish and recycling bins, and potable water are all available in the campsite, flush toilets and showers are a part of the pool/hot springs facility. Hiking, biking, boating and fishing are all available close by in addition to the experiences offered by the resort. 

    The nearest services for groceries are about 45 miles back down the road toward Fairbanks, or North Pole, AK. We camped in the primitive area, which was lovely, forested and right along the creek, but 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!

  • Andrew V.
    May. 23, 2023

    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.

  • Samantha M.
    Jun. 15, 2020

    Birch Lake State Recreation Site

    Great swimming area for kids

    This was a parking lot style camping with 17 parking spots. There are a few walk-in tent sites on site as well. If you are military there are quite a few options for cabins and more sites but you need permission to enter. There were picnic tables, fire pits, a dock, and shared grassy area for this campground. There’s a rental place near by for water toys which makes a great day on the water for kids. I would choose this place to swim over Harding Lake this summer due to high waters at Harding. The mosquitoes were bearable but be prepared for back to back camping and zero privacy. The lake is stocked with fish and you can see plenty swimming around as soon as you look in the water. Bathrooms on site. Make sure to bring your own firewood. Passing the Air Force base on your way to the campground is so cool if you get to see a take off on your way!

  • a
    Jun. 13, 2018

    Ophir Creek Campground — White Mountains National Recreation Area

    Labor Day tradition

    We camp here every fall. The drive from FAIRBANKS is absolutely gorgeous, especially when you turn off at Davidson Ditch to drive into Ophir Creek Campground. There are great hikes on the way to the campground and when you drive in almost all of the spots have water in their “backyard” since the sites are usually situated on a bend near the creek. There is usually a good mix of RV’s, trailers, and tents. The grounds are kept up nicely and it’s usually pretty quiet.

  • Stacey C.
    Aug. 28, 2018

    River Park Campground

    Great wooded campground!

    We've been here twice. Once in late August in 2014 and again in July 2016. 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. The flush toilets, drinking water and picnic tables was great. It's close to supermarkets too.

    While we only have good things to say about our stay in August, There were some shady people hanging around in July just kind of...lingering. There were 3 of us and all felt that our cars/tents were being scoped out occasionally. Perhaps that was the case, or perhaps we were just paranoid but throwing it out there so you all know that opportunists seem to be lurking about here.

  • Samantha M.
    Jun. 15, 2020

    Harding Lake State Recreation Area

    Mosquitoville

    This was a nice campground with a friendly couple hosting. The spaces were spaced out with privacy trees. I think we scored one of the best spots number 11. The mosquitoes were unbearable outside and in 73 degree weather you needed to be completely covered. 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. There is a dump station, water, and plenty of bathrooms throughout the campground. It is a party campground for water activities so expect noise well after 2am. There are no electric hookups. The closest store is about 10 minutes down the road and has your basic essentials. There are other lakes to visit within an hour radius which makes this a fun location. There is a baseball/soccer field on site which was a lot of fun for the children to run off so energy and it wasn’t very buggy. The water pump was turned off due to Covid19. There’s 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.

  • Samantha M.
    May. 30, 2020

    Lower Chatanika State Recreation Area

    Well maintained, great ATV trails

    My first thought when we drove into the campground was wow, this is nicely maintained. We had just stayed at Whitefish Campground about 2 miles away and driving into Olnes Pond Campground was beautiful. The electronic option to pay here is the first time I’ve seen that in Alaska. The pond is stocked with rainbow trout but we were a little too early in the season on this visit May 29, 2020. There a nicely sized pond in the middle of the campground and the camping sites are situated around the entire pond. There were day visitors who brought paddle boards and kayaks to enjoy the weather on the pond. People say you can swim in this pond put be weary of duck/swimmers itch. There are picnic tables, bathrooms, trash cans, and lots of grassy area to just enjoy a day visit. This seemed more as a party spot sort of camping oppose to enjoy the view and relax so be ready to hear ATVs and friendly conversations late at night. I would definitely come back with a kayak and fishing pole once the pond is stocked for the children to enjoy a relaxing day on the pond.

  • K
    Jul. 19, 2024

    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.

Guide to Fairbanks

Tent camping near Fairbanks, Alaska, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it a perfect getaway for nature enthusiasts.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Fishing enthusiasts will appreciate the opportunities at Upper Chatanika River State Rec Area, where fishing can be quite rewarding during mid-summer.
  • For those looking to explore, Quartz Creek Trail provides a scenic route perfect for hiking and enjoying the stunning Alaskan landscape.
  • Campers at Salcha River State Rec Area can engage in fishing, with the added thrill of catching their first fish in a serene setting.

Tent campers should check out these features

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Fairbanks, AK?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Fairbanks, AK is Upper Chatanika River State Rec Area with a 3.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Fairbanks, AK?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Fairbanks, AK, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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