Lukas G.
Traveler
TravelerRiver Park Campground
Great little spot for the price
There is a boat ramp outside the camp ground. It is gated to get in. It’s the cheapest site I have seen at $20 a night with water and electric
Glamping near North Pole, AK
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Chena Hot Springs Resort and Harding Lake State Recreation Area offer premium glamping options near North Pole, Alaska. At Chena, visitors experience luxury yurts and cabins with electricity alongside natural hot springs access, while Harding Lake features waterfront glamping with picnic tables and fire rings. Both locations balance comfortable accommodations with wilderness immersion, providing electricity and proper bedding in scenic forest settings. Visitors appreciate amenities like firewood availability and trash service while enjoying a true Alaskan nature experience. One reviewer noted, "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."
The natural hot springs at Chena create an exceptional glamping destination with year-round appeal. The resort complex includes an ice museum, restaurant, bar, and recreational facilities beyond the thermal pools. Glamping guests enjoy hiking trails, fishing in Beaver Lake, and wildlife viewing opportunities while maintaining access to resort amenities. Harding Lake glamping sites offer water recreation with boat rental services available seasonally for paddle boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. Both locations provide different atmospheres - Chena focuses on thermal relaxation while Harding Lake emphasizes water recreation. A visitor mentioned, "The aurora is spectacular and I would love to go back for a trip in the summer." Winter glamping options include potential northern lights viewing, making these accommodations popular regardless of season.
Best Glamping Campgrounds near North Pole (4)
1. River Park Campground
"There are a variety of campsites, some large enough to accommodate an RV, as well as well-maintained restrooms, well-water, a dumpster, and every site had a picnic table and fire pit with grate."
"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."
2. Harding Lake State Recreation Area
"Harding Lake State Recreation Area is a shady and scenic site about twenty minutes from North Pole."
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $100 / night
3. Salcha River State Recreation Site
"The staff was very nice as well. The lake view very nice. Friendly people."
Check Availabilityfrom $45 / night
4. Chena Hot Springs Resort
"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."
"If you don’t mind walking, then you can stay anywhere in the campground. If your main reason for visiting is the Hot Springs, then closer to the resort is best. "
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
Drive Time
- 10 min from Fairbanks, AK
Recent Glamping Photos near North Pole, AK
7 Photos of 4 North Pole Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Glamping Reviews near North Pole, AK
26 Reviews of 4 North Pole Campgrounds
- Kristi D.
LegendChena Hot Springs Resort
Awesome spot
Awesome to be able to camp at the resort with easy access to the Hot Springs. Dry camping no amenities except a outdoor bathroom. River behind the spots though, spots close together and close to camping. Level spots but wet from rain. Puddles etc....no internet. You got 10 free minutes by the lodge but then you are prompter to start paying. Did get to see the Northern lights so that was a bonus. Missed the ice museum as it said closed for maintenance on the website and when we got there is appeared you could get in by tours. It was too late by that time.
Hot springs are nice but it was chaos! Line to get in and the locker rooms are a nightmare. The springs had a lot of people in them but it wasn't terrible and you could still relax.
Andrew V.TravelerHarding 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 F.
GuideChena Hot Springs Resort
Rustic Cabin Winter Getaway
We came here a month ago in November for a last minute winter getaway. We rented the Forget-me-Not cabin. It’s a dry cabin with an outhouse, but it does have electricity and a DVD player. Just make sure you bring your own DVDs if you plan to use it.
The cabin itself was very rustic and outdated, but a great size for two couples. The provided toaster caught on fire as soon as we turned it on. We told the front desk and they didn’t seem surprised.
Obviously the Hot Springs was the main attraction. It was AMAZING! Definitely a must see. Their restaurant was really good too. No cell service, but WIFI in the main lodge.
Shari G.LegendChena 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!
M P.GuideChena Hot Springs Resort
Boondocking with plenty to do
20 a site, dry. There are a few sites that have trees surrounding the sites, offering a bit of privacy. A few sites are open and face the resort and road. Potable water and dump station on grounds. 15 per adult (over 18, per day) to get into the hot springs. Pool and hot tub also available. Hiking trails, fishing in the Beaver Lake, and a tour of the ice castle. Restaurant/bar has great food and all of the workers were congenial. We enjoyed our time and will stay again!
Riley N.LegendSalcha 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
Chena Hot Springs Resort
Such a cool experience
Defined try the ice museum tour it was so cool! The appletinis are great too. The hot springs were so hot we definitely recommend visiting in cooler weather to really enjoy them
- Reba C.
ScoutRiver Park Campground
Peace and serenity
The location that we were at was so peaceful and serene. We enjoyed cooking out. The location is very convenient. We simply enjoyed the seclusion.
Guide to North Pole
Glamping near North Pole, Alaska centers around thermal springs, waterfront locations, and forest settings where temperatures range from 70°F in summer to -40°F in winter. The Interior Alaska region sits at approximately 500 feet elevation with dense birch and spruce forests surrounding campgrounds. Most glamping options stay open year-round despite the extreme seasonal temperature variations.
What to do
Hiking trails: Within Chena River State Recreation Area, visitors can explore wooded paths through white birch forests. "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," notes Jared T.
Water activities: At Harding Lake State Recreation Area, summer visitors can rent watercraft directly at the lake. "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," reports Samantha M.
Winter activities: Beyond thermal soaking, winter glamping offers unique experiences like aurora viewing. "The aurora is spectacular and I would love to go back for a trip in the summer," writes Jill T., highlighting the year-round appeal of upscale camping in this region.
What campers like
Private campsites: Salcha River State Recreation Site offers sites with natural screening. "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," shares Riley N.
Resort amenities: The full-service nature of some glamping locations appeals to those wanting comfort with wilderness access. "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," explains Shari G.
Recreation facilities: Some glamping sites include unexpected amenities beyond typical campground features. "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," describes Andrew V.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Winter glamping requires preparation for extreme cold. "We came here a month ago in November for a last minute winter getaway. We rented the Forget-me-Not cabin. It's a dry cabin with an outhouse, but it does have electricity and a DVD player. Just make sure you bring your own DVDs if you plan to use it," advises Samantha F.
Mosquito preparation: Summer visitors should pack appropriate repellent. "The mosquitoes were unbearable outside and in 73 degree weather you needed to be completely covered," warns one camper about their experience.
Water quality: Some campgrounds have specific water issues to consider. "For water, there are several pumps that you have operate yourself, but our only issue with it was the color of the water, which comes out a little yellow/orange," notes Dave G.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly swimming: River Park Campground offers water access specifically designed for children. "This campground had a roped off beach area where people played, lounged, kayak/canoe and spent all day. If we came again I would bring more beach appropriate items," suggests Samantha M.
Wildlife viewing: Children can observe small animals and aquatic life safely. "The kids thought it was fun to watch the many tadpoles!" mentions one parent about their camping experience.
Activity planning: Some glamping sites have age restrictions for certain activities. "If your main reason for visiting is the Hot Springs, then closer to the resort is best. If you are traveling with children, they can go in the swimming pools but not the hot springs themselves which is really why we all go here," explains Tanya B.
Tips from RVers
Access limitations: Chena Hot Springs Resort camping areas have size considerations. "Dry camping no amenities except a outdoor bathroom. River behind the spots though, spots close together and close to camping. Level spots but wet from rain," reports Kristi D.
Utilities planning: RVers should understand service limitations when glamping in this region. "$20 a site, dry. There are a few sites that have trees surrounding the sites, offering a bit of privacy. A few sites are open and face the resort and road. Potable water and dump station on grounds," advises M P.
Supplies access: Plan your provisions carefully before setting up at remote glamping sites. "The nearest services for groceries are about 45 miles back down the road toward Fairbanks, or North Pole, AK," notes one camper regarding resupply options.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular glamping campsite near North Pole, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near North Pole, AK is River Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 9 reviews.
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What is the best site to find glamping camping near North Pole, AK?
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