Roadside Camp on Parks Highway
Convenient state land
This gravel pit area is on state land. While it is just off the highway, there is a buffer of trees that kept traffic sounds to a minimum.
1 campground with availability this weekend
Healy's established RV parks include Denali RV Park and Motel operating from May 20 to September 10, and Denali Rainbow Village RV Park with 66 sites available May 15 to September 20. Waugaman Village RV Park offers larger sites positioned away from the main highway, approximately 3.9 miles off Parks Highway. "Sites are big and has water and electric hook ups," according to one visitor, though some sites require skilled maneuvering for larger rigs. McKinley RV and Campground provides 30-amp service with sewer hookups but lacks shower facilities, while Denali Riverside RV Park accommodates big rigs with 50-amp electrical service along with water hookups near the Nenana River.
Most RV parks in the Denali region maintain gravel pads with varying degrees of levelness, and spacing between sites is typically tight. Several parks charge additional fees for amenities—showers cost $5 at some locations and WiFi may be limited to 30 minutes free before paid access. Dump stations are available at most parks, though positioning sometimes requires careful navigation or multiple attempts. Cell service varies throughout the area with Verizon providing stronger coverage than T-Mobile. Pet policies differ between facilities; while most welcome pets, some impose restrictions. Seasonal operation is standard with most facilities closing by mid-September, making advance reservations essential during peak summer months when Denali National Park visitation is highest.
"Not bad for a free site close to the highway. It is rocky but no worse than some paid camp sites. Not sure if it is because of the cold wind but no mosquitos!"
"Camp sites are close to each other, but the staff gave us two sites for the price of one to park my truck. The views are amazing, and the other campers were very respectful."
"We liked how the campground was not right next to the main highway going through Healy and Denali. It is about 3 to 4 miles off the main road."
"Has water and electric hook ups. A dump station. Has washer and dryer. Has showers for a price. Would easily come back."
"I was staying there with some friends for 2 nights, the RV Park was full, everything was beautiful, you have an amazing view to appreciate, you can go with your family also because it is a quiet place."
Available this weekend
from $999 / night
"We did our laundry and refilled a propane tank while we were her. Nothing fancy just a nice place to stop and visit. The town is small but has a museum with a fun caretaker and is worth a stop."
"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."
Campground full this weekend
from $15 - $42 / night
from $31 - $35 / night
from $25 - $40 / night
"The RV spots are great for 1 or 2 night stays, the store has most of your needs and then some."
"Within walking distance to "Glitter Gulch" and trails at the entrance to the park. We've camped there for many years and always had a peaceful nights rest."
"We visited in March 2022 so since it was winter camping season, it was first come, first serve and camping is free."
"Nice pull-off with established areas and fire pits. We camped in a van, so it was perfect. A bit rough for tent camping, as it’s fairly rocky"
"camping here on a whim because it was super rainy and I wanted somewhere I could comfortably car camp without running into the risk of being disturbed and let me tell you this was such a beautiful and safe"
This gravel pit area is on state land. While it is just off the highway, there is a buffer of trees that kept traffic sounds to a minimum.
Positive points as follows:-
- Fabulous location inside the park with fantastic wildlife viewing on route(we saw moose and a grizzly bear at the side of the road)-
- Nice wooded sites
What we didn’t like:
- I made my reservation months in advance and received an email confirmation with a reference number. I assumed that this email was all I needed to confirm my booking on arrival.
- Within the main body of the email there is a big heading stating“important information” and in that section the only item that is highlighted is the lack of WiFi service at the campsite.
- We arrived at 11pm at night. There was no notice of where to check in or indeed which site to go to. At previous campsites I had received a lovely email to welcome us and provide directions for our arrival
.- The next morning, one of the most unpleasant, nasty people that I have ever had the misfortune to meet came banging on our RV door. There was no welcome or kind words or even a smile. She introduced herself as the camp hostess (clearly she is in the wrong line of work) and demanded that we leave the site immediately, stating we had 6 minutes to vacate and instructing us to drive 30 mins down the road to another campsite where the check-in reception was located and where we had to buy our park permits. No understanding or interest in our long journey the night before, nor the fact that we were a family with young children.
- We discovered after the fact that the there was a link within the confirmation of reservation email that you have to click on to take you to a separate website with all the information about check-in! This information should be in the main body of the email NOT on a click through.
- We spoke to other people in the campsite who had experienced exactly the same issues. They had been unaware of the check-in procedure and had received the same nasty treatment from the same nasty old woman!
Recommendations:
-Key information about check-in should be in the main body of the email especially if check-it is at an entirely separate location, a 30 minute drive away;
- That lady should not be employed in the hospitality business and certainly not as a hostess!! She has absolutely no people skills, kindness or understanding. She is a terrible introduction and first impression to anyone visiting Denali as a tourist. She really put a bad taste in our mouths and was not a nice representative for Alaska and its people!
Very conveniently located, a walking distance from the buss depot. Showers available at the mercantile area. Bear Loop is best (closest to showers, laundry and store. But the best thing is your in Denali!
Stayed in a B site on August 17. Toilets were one of the best I’ve seen. Each spot was secluded from the others so it felt private. Check in at the mercantile. They have showers and laundry there. Overall a great campsite
This campground is very clean, well spaced between sites, convenient to all the park amenities like showers and laundry. The restrooms are very clean with soap and hand dryers. I can’t say enough good things about this campground!!
This National Park campground offers a basic primitive experience for anyone that is looking to enjoy the majestic beauties of the Denali National Park.
Reservations for the campground are made online, however occasionally it is possible to show up and get an unclaimed site. The campground includes a full-time camp host, vault toilets and strategically placed freshwater spigots.
As for the rest I will let the pictures do the talking.
This is really a hotel that happens to have campsites on it. There is electrical and water hook up at each site but no sewer. There is however a dump station. Word of warning if you have an RV that is 35 ft or longer this campsite is not for you.
I would also like to add that showers are $5 for 7 minutes and the laundry facility at the time of this review was out of order.
As for the rest I'll let the pictures do the talking
Not bad for a free site close to the highway. It is rocky but no worse than some paid camp sites. Not sure if it is because of the cold wind but no mosquitos!
Good location. Quiet. Near river
Healy's RV camping options extend across a 4-mile radius from the Parks Highway, with operating seasons typically running mid-May through mid-September. Average summer temperatures range from 45°F to 70°F with occasional rain, making water-resistant ground cover essential at most campsites. While electrical service varies between 30-amp and 50-amp connections, many campgrounds maintain gravel surfaces that require leveling equipment.
Hiking at Savage River: Campers at Savage River Campground can access multiple trails directly from the grounds. "The Mountain Vista Trailhead is close to the water supply where you can refill water containers," notes Angie G. The popular Savage Alpine Trail offers spectacular views: "We absolutely loved our hike on the savage alpine trail, which we took the free shuttle to get to the start and ended outside of our campground," shares Abby M.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning excursions yield the best wildlife sightings. "Anyone reading this and considering going to Denali - you WILL see wildlife. We saw a family of foxes, caribou, grizzly bears, a marmot, ground and red squirrels, moose, bald eagles, and a variety of other birds," reports Dave G. from his stay at Savage River.
Visit 49th State Brewing: Located in Healy, this brewery features the "Into the Wild" bus from the movie. "Check out 49th State Brewing," recommends Dave G., who camped at Savage River Campground while visiting the area.
Clean facilities: Denali RV Park and Motel receives praise for cleanliness. "The bathrooms were some of the cleanest I've seen at any camp site," says Stephen M. Similarly, at Cantwell RV Park, a camper notes it's "very clean and well kept."
Evening programs: Ranger-led talks enhance the camping experience. "We also took advantage of the ranger talk that was given in the evening," mentions Katie B. about her stay at Savage River Campground. These programs typically run 30-45 minutes and cover local wildlife, geology, and park history.
Laundry access: Several RV sites near Healy, Alaska offer laundry facilities, which travelers appreciate during extended trips. At Waugaman Village RV Park, Dana O. notes the campground "has washer and dryer" among its amenities, making longer stays more convenient.
Dump station positioning: RV campers should note that dump stations often require specific approach angles. At Waugaman Village, one camper reported: "The dump station unfortunately was on the wrong side when I left and I didn't have a long enough hose so I had to go out circle and come back in just to dump my tank."
WiFi limitations: Free internet access is often time-restricted at Denali Rainbow Village RV Park, where "WIFI is free for 30 minutes, afterwards you pay extra," according to Andrea W. Plan accordingly by downloading maps and information before arrival.
Shower costs: Budget for additional shower expenses at many campgrounds. "Showers are USD 5.00," notes Andrea W. about Denali Rainbow Village. Similarly, Waugaman Village offers "showers for a price," according to Dana O.
Site sizing considerations: Many campgrounds list literal site dimensions rather than accommodable RV lengths. "This is the first time we came across a CG that lists the site as the literal size versus what size rig could fit with room to still fit your tow vehicle," explains one Denali RV Park visitor.
Discovery backpacks: Families visiting Savage River Campground should inquire about educational resources. "If you have kids, be sure to check out a discovery backpack filled with activities and science kits they can use. Our 9-year-old loved it so much she asked for a science kit for Christmas!" shares Abby M.
Mini-golf options: Families camping at Nenana RV Park & Campground have access to recreational activities. "My kids enjoyed the park across the road and had mini golf and a Rhoades car available for use," mentions Dacia M. These activities provide entertainment during downtime between park excursions.
Navigating constant daylight: Summer camping means extended daylight hours that may affect children's sleep schedules. "We camped in a tent under constant daylight and got down to 40s between 3-5am," reports Angie G. about Savage River. Consider bringing sleep masks for everyone in the family.
Site selection for large rigs: Larger RVs require careful site selection at most Healy-area campgrounds. At Waugaman Village, Wes F. advises: "Spot number nine is at the very end on the right and thankfully no one was parked across the drive from us because I needed that whole spot just to back in my camper so if you don't know how to drive your rig I recommend not going here."
Alternative options for big rigs: Consider staying at McKinley RV and Campground which offers well-maintained spots. "The RV spots are well maintained and groomed," reports Joe C. The campground provides 30-amp service with sewer hookups, though it lacks shower facilities.
Highway noise considerations: For quieter stays, select campgrounds away from the Parks Highway. Wes F. appreciated how Waugaman Village "was not right next to the main highway going through Healy and Denali. It is about 3 to 4 miles off the main road," though he noted you might hear some noise from the nearby GVEA power plant in early mornings.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Healy, AK is Denali RV Park and Motel with a 4-star rating from 5 reviews.
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