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Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Fort Wainwright, AK

117 Reviews

Fairbanks / Chena River KOA provides pet-friendly camping near the Chena River with fenced dog parks where owners can let their dogs stretch their legs. The campground features full hookups with 50-amp service, water access, and shower facilities that accommodate travelers with pets. During summer months from May 15 to September 15, pets are welcome at most sites, with some visitors reporting excellent experiences walking their dogs along the riverfront paths. For tent campers with dogs, the KOA offers grassy areas with picnic tables, though these spots are located farther from the bathroom facilities. Other pet-friendly options include Pioneer Park, which allows pets in both tent and RV camping areas, and Rivers Edge RV Park & Campground, where pets can enjoy the riverside location.

Chena Lake Recreation Area offers dog-friendly trails surrounding the lake where pets can cool off during summer months. Campers traveling with pets should note that most campgrounds in the Fairbanks area require dogs to be leashed at all times, with the exception of designated dog park areas. Veterinary services are available nearby at North Pole Veterinary Hospital, which receives positive recommendations from traveling pet owners. Winter visitors should consider appropriate pet protection as temperatures can drop significantly. The Tanana Valley Campground, located by the fairgrounds, provides a convenient in-town option with electric hookups and laundry facilities that make extended stays with pets more comfortable. Wildlife encounters are possible in more remote campgrounds like Upper and Lower Chatanika State Recreation Areas, so keeping pets secured is essential for their safety.

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Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Fort Wainwright, Alaska (29)

    1. Tanana Valley Campground

    8 Reviews
    Fairbanks, AK
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 456-7956

    "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."

    "Location close to town, but you feel like your in the forest. I got great Service!"

    2. Pioneer Park

    6 Reviews
    Fairbanks, AK
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 459-1087

    "It’s 12 bucks a night, which in Alaska in the summer in a city is cheap. The park is like an old time amusement park without rides. It is really cool though."

    "The water spigot is on the south side of lot near the turn in. The trash cans can get full quick. "

    3. Chena Lake Recreation Area

    10 Reviews
    North Pole, AK
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 459-1070

    $15 - $50 / night

    "This is the 1st campground my family and I stayed at Alaska. The Chena Lake is great! The beach area is great fun for all with grassy and sandy areas."

    "We stayed on the river side of Chena lakes campground. Had a great huge pull through campsite. Lots of room for our three dogs."

    4. Fairbanks / Chena River KOA

    4 Reviews
    Fort Wainwright, AK
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 488-6392

    $50 - $80 / night

    "For once in a long time on our journey through Alaska, the campground (CG) was not right off the highway."

    "The bathrooms are a bit of a walk from the tents, but the wonderful and free showers are nice. The laundry, showers, and bathrooms are well-kept and a nice luxury."

    5. Rivers Edge RV Park & Campground

    6 Reviews
    Fairbanks, AK
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 474-0286

    "Located right along the Chena River this RV Resort has a gift shop for when you need a candy fix or warmer swearer and the availability to book direct for Riverboat Discovery, historic Fairbanks tour,"

    "Cell Service: yes Internet: yes 2020 Cost: $64.95-$34.95 Distance from Anchorage: 365 miles Best sites: Along the River Bug Factor (1 minimal to 10 too many to enjoy): 5"

    6. Lower Chatanika State Recreation Area

    8 Reviews
    Fort Wainwright, AK
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 269-8400

    $45 / night

    "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."

    "We found a path through the woods that lead to a clean rocky water area the kids spent hours in. The spot next to ours had a fire ring with benches all around and a wonderful grassy area to play in."

    7. Eielson AFB Bear Lake

    2 Reviews
    Eielson AFB, AK
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 377-1232

    8. Whitefish Campground

    1 Review
    Fort Wainwright, AK
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 451-2695

    $20 / night

    "We slept amazing next to the river!"

    9. Rosehip Campground

    6 Reviews
    Eielson AFB, AK
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 269-8400

    "There are so many connecting trails it is worth exploring. This is also very close to Chena Hot-springs which is definitely a must stop if you have time."

    "We were able to fit a 26' travel trailer plus the truck and not be in the road. 1/2 mile walk down to the river and several nature trails"

    10. Upper Chatanika River State Rec Area

    3 Reviews
    Fort Wainwright, AK
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 456-1104

    "This is a nice campsite a little outside of Fairbanks. The campsites have good spacing between them for privacy. You can get right up to the river.

    The biggest downside was TONS of mosquitoes."

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Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Fort Wainwright, AK

4 Photos of 29 Fort Wainwright Campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Fort Wainwright, AK

117 Reviews of 29 Fort Wainwright Campgrounds

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 13, 2025

    Eielson AFB Bear Lake

    Seen Better Days

    While staying in North Pole, AK, we decided to check out Eielson AFB Bear Lake FamCamp as we’d heard from other military RVers and on different forums that the campground was not worth staying at. On the major RV review sites the most recent review was from 2023. We normally don’t post reviews on a campground (CG) we didn’t stay at, but made an exception to help other military RVers out. As we entered the campground, we noticed that there were not many campers (there was what looked like a camp host, but no sign), and could immediately see why. The sites had non-potable per signs attached to the water spigot. We also noticed that many of the sites were grown over. There are pull-through sites on one row that could handle big rigs and then back-in sites of various lengths on another row. These sites are water and electric 50 and 30 AMP). However, on most sites you would need to cut brush and low-hanging limbs. There were signs on the bathhouse and laundry facility that the water was bad due to too much chlorine. They do have a dump station. There’s a lake at the end of the CG area, but the grass again was so high it was up through the picnic tables along the shoreline. Based on the CG’s condition and distance from the sights to see in the Fairbanks area, this in our opinion is not a good CG choice, especially with taller 5th wheels or Class A rigs. Fort Wainwright, which is closer to Fairbanks, has Glass Park RV Campground on post and they have sites that should fit bigger rigs according to the site sizes on their webpage.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2025

    Fairbanks / Chena River KOA

    One of the Best KOAs We've Stayed

    For once in a long time on our journey through Alaska, the campground (CG) was not right off the highway. We followed our RV GPS to the Badger Road exit and found the CG tucked back from the main road. Check-in was busy but quick. We were assigned pull-through site 133D with full hookups and 50 AMP. This site has special routing instructions—staff had us drive a few hundred yards down Old Badger Road, which runs adjacent to the CG, to enter through the back KOA gate. From there, it was an easy approach into our site. Site 133D is a KOA Patio site with a deluxe Trex deck, outdoor furniture, propane fire pit, and a Weber propane grill with tools. The gravel pad was long enough for our 40’ toy hauler and F450, with room to put down our rear patio. On arrival, the CG WiFi was unusable, but we got an email update that they were working on it. A later speed test showed 4.97 Mbps download—good enough for email and light browsing. Starlink worked but was slower than usual in this area despite a clear sky view. We got one bar on both Verizon and T-Mobile. This is a well-run KOA, with staff constantly mowing, cleaning, and maintaining the grounds. During our stay, several RV caravans came through—they had their own designated area and even buses for tours. The CG has spaces for all types of campers, from tents to big rigs. There’s a laundry facility, two fenced dog parks, swing benches by the river, and plenty of space to walk your dog. All in all, this is one of the best private CGs we’ve stayed at. If you need a great vet while in the area, we highly recommend Dr. Dawn Brown at North Pole Veterinary Hospital. They are an AAHA accredited clinic and we’ sure all the vets are great, but we definitely had a wonderful experience with Dr. Brown during our appointment with our two Braque's. The CG made an excellent base for exploring the Fairbanks area.

  • M
    Jul. 26, 2021

    Pioneer Park

    Awesome park

    The camping is just a parking lot. It’s 12 bucks a night, which in Alaska in the summer in a city is cheap. 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. We stopped in for an adult refreshment and they are very dog friendly.

  • Kela W.
    Apr. 19, 2021

    Chena Lake Recreation Area

    Beautiful campground

    This is the 1st campground my family and I stayed at Alaska. The Chena Lake is great! 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. There are some really cool camping spots along the river as well. Highly recommend to families!

  • M
    Sep. 18, 2018

    Upper Chatanika River State Rec Area

    State-managed campground on the Chatanika River

    This is a fairly standard state-run campground on the upper Chatanika River. It's somewhat popular with Fairbanks locals but because of its proximity to town is not a place you're likely to stay if you're heading up the Steese.

    The camping spots are small and there's relatively little privacy, and the facilities are, in general, not as well-maintained and clean as we've gotten used to with BLM campgrounds in Alaska. Several camping spots are right on the river. Fishing on the Chatanika is inconsistent but can be very good at mid-summer. If you continue west of the campground there is primitive camping on gravel bars on the river, but you'll probably want 4WD to get there. Also, note that there can be very good berry picking on hillsides near the campground in August and early September.

  • 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.

  • E
    May. 29, 2024

    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!

  • 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.

  • J
    Jul. 9, 2019

    River Park Campground

    Short proximity to Fairbanks

    Wonderful campground if you are looking to get away from town but still in close proximity. Well maintained camping area, with options to camp on an island in the middle of the lake.

    They offer boats and paddle boards for day use at a reasonable price! Fun to take the family for a day or a weekend.

Guide to Fort Wainwright

Camping options near Fort Wainwright, Alaska range from secluded riverside spots to convenient in-town facilities. Located in Interior Alaska, summer temperatures reach 70-80°F while winter drops to -40°F, creating distinct camping seasons. Most campgrounds in the area operate from mid-May through mid-September when daylight extends up to 22 hours during summer solstice.

What to do

Riverside fishing access: Whitefish Campground offers direct water access with sites positioned along 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," notes one camper at Whitefish Campground.

ATV trail exploration: Lower Chatanika State Recreation Area provides extensive ATV trail networks for off-road enthusiasts. "Olnes pond campground has 1 cabin that you can reserve and pay fee online only. The campsites are FCFS and not reservable. Good spacing between sites and close together sites for groups with multiple families, including spots on the pond edge," says a visitor.

Water recreation: Paddle, swim or fish at Chena Lake Recreation Area. "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," reports one camper.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Rosehip Campground features well-spaced sites with natural screening. "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," writes a camper.

Budget-friendly options: Tanana Valley Campground provides affordable options compared to other facilities. "Electric at site, water and dump stations. Bathrooms & laundry and for 1/2 the price of everywhere around. But bring bug dope!" advises a visitor.

Convenient locations: Pioneer Park offers camping in the heart of Fairbanks. "Great location. Level. Water available. Stopped to restock after Denali visit. Pioneer Park also has some food vendors - had me done tacos. Next to fairly busy road - quietens down overnight, but not completely," notes a camper.

What you should know

Mosquito preparation: Nearly every campground review mentions mosquitoes, particularly during peak summer months. "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," reports a Rosehip Campground visitor.

Noise levels vary: Some campgrounds experience event noise. "When in Fairbanks this is my families go to spot. There is often stuff going on here so be prepared for music. When we were here in July the Rodeo was going on so there was loud music the whole day," shares a visitor to Tanana Valley Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Fort Wainwright, AK?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Fort Wainwright, AK is Tanana Valley Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 8 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Fort Wainwright, AK?

TheDyrt.com has all 29 dog-friendly camping locations near Fort Wainwright, AK, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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