Salcha, AK is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Salcha is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near Salcha, AK. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
Chena River State Recreation Area is a park for all seasons, with 397 square miles of forests, rivers, and alpine tundra. Whether you prefer a day hike or rock climb at Granite Tors, to harness up the dog team and escape into the snowy horizon or ride a 4-wheeler along a forest trail, this recreation area has something for everyone.
$15 - $50 / night
The main campground, consisting of 78 vehicle and five walk-in sites, is located in a spruce/birch forest. Many vehicle sites are large enough to accommodate large motor homes or trailers. There is a limit of six people and two vehicles per campsite. Some sites are adjacent to others, allowing groups to park together. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. Firewood can also be purchased at the campground. Please use existing fire rings and picnic tables. Sanitary dump station, free if camping at Harding, $5 fee if dumping without camping.
Additional camping space is now also available for self-contained units week days at the Lakefront day use area and additional camping for up to 10 camp units is available in the Camp Lot camping area, which is located close to the lake.
This recreation area is part of Chena River Lakes
Chena River State Recreation Area is a park for all seasons, with 397 square miles of forests, rivers, and alpine tundra. Whether you prefer a day hike or rock climb at Granite Tors, to harness up the dog team and escape into the snowy horizon or ride a 4-wheeler along a forest trail, this recreation area has something for everyone.
$15 - $50 / night
The main campground, consisting of 78 vehicle and five walk-in sites, is located in a spruce/birch forest. Many vehicle sites are large enough to accommodate large motor homes or trailers. There is a limit of six people and two vehicles per campsite. Some sites are adjacent to others, allowing groups to park together. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. Firewood can also be purchased at the campground. Please use existing fire rings and picnic tables. Sanitary dump station, free if camping at Harding, $5 fee if dumping without camping.
Additional camping space is now also available for self-contained units week days at the Lakefront day use area and additional camping for up to 10 camp units is available in the Camp Lot camping area, which is located close to the lake.
Guide
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.
Legend
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
5 day limit
Traveler
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.
TravelerRefreshing place visit now , i love the environment
Scout
Breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding area. The campsite might be basic but it's well worth it. It also has picnic tables, a tiny beach, a beach volleyball court, and a sandpit for the little ones.
Scout
Nice and quite , close to shoping.
Guide
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.
GuideThis 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!
GuideClean, friendly, safe
Legend
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.
LegendI 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 :).
ScoutParked 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.
TravelerHas great trails, RV and tent camping. 16 sites in wooded circle( 4 double sites) plenty of sites in gravel lot by water. Boat rental on site plus GREAT fishing!! Also by beach there’s volleyball, tetherball and sand box!!
Traveler
24 sites some big enough for RV some tucked away for cozy tent. Has faucet’s for running water.
Traveler
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.
Legend
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!
GuideWe 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.
LegendChena 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!
Guide20 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!
Legend
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.
Legend
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.
Legend
Nice spots by the river. The Chena grill is on site which is great! The site was quiet and had picnic tables.
LegendIt’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.
TravelerVery 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.
Legend
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.
Legend
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!
LegendWe 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.
Camping near Salcha, Alaska, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor activities. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy the great outdoors.
Camping near Salcha, Alaska, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but being prepared will make your experience even better!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Salcha, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, Salcha, AK offers a wide range of camping options, with 36 campgrounds and RV parks near Salcha, AK and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Salcha, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Salcha, AK is Chena Lake Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 9 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Salcha, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Salcha, AK.
What parks are near Salcha, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 parks near Salcha, AK that allow camping, notably Denali National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve.
