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 Salcha, AK
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Salcha River State Recreation Site and Chena Hot Springs Resort offer premium glamping accommodations in the Fairbanks region of Alaska. The Salcha River site features waterfront glamping and yurt options with seasonal availability all year round, providing a serene natural setting along the picturesque riverbank. "We loved camping here! The river is so pretty and the mountains are beautiful," one visitor noted about the Salcha River location. Meanwhile, Chena Hot Springs Resort provides upscale glamping experiences and yurt accommodations alongside cabin options, complete with access to the resort's renowned hot springs, restaurant, and market. Both locations allow pets and fires, creating an ideal balance of comfort and connection with Alaska's wilderness.
Soaking in the natural hot springs remains the signature experience at Chena Hot Springs Resort, where guests enjoy mineral-rich thermal pools surrounded by pristine Alaskan forest. "The springs are AMAZING. There is nothing like jumping in the Hot Springs even in the bitter cold," shared one enthusiast who visited the resort. Beyond relaxation, the resort offers unique attractions including the famous Ice Museum tour with specialty appletinis, hiking trails through the surrounding wilderness, and prime opportunities for aurora viewing during winter months. The Salcha River location provides excellent fishing and boating with its dedicated boat launch, while both glamping destinations serve as ideal basemaps for exploring the greater Fairbanks area, with attractions like Harding Lake State Recreation Area within reasonable driving distance.
Best Glamping Campgrounds near Salcha (4)
1. 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
2. Salcha River State Recreation Site
"The staff was very nice as well. The lake view very nice. Friendly people."
Check Availabilityfrom $45 / night
3. 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."
4. Chena Hot Springs Resort
"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. "
"Awesome to be able to camp at the resort with easy access to the Hot Springs. Dry camping no amenities except a outdoor bathroom."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
Drive Time
- 38 min from Fairbanks, AK
Recent Glamping Photos near Salcha, AK
7 Photos of 4 Salcha Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Glamping Reviews near Salcha, AK
26 Reviews of 4 Salcha 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 Salcha
Salcha, Alaska sits at 675 feet of elevation in Interior Alaska, about 35 miles southeast of Fairbanks. The area experiences extreme temperature variations, from winter lows reaching -50°F to summer highs of 90°F. Camping options in the Fairbanks region range from primitive tent sites to cabins, with access to fishing and recreational activities along the Salcha and Chena Rivers.
What to do
Hiking trails: Chena River State Recreation Area offers numerous maintained trails through birch forests and alongside rivers. "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. about River Park Campground.
Ice Museum tour: A unique winter attraction at Chena Hot Springs, featuring ice sculptures and specialty drinks. "Defined try the ice museum tour it was so cool! The appletinis are great too," recommends Riley N. at Chena Hot Springs Resort.
Fishing: The Salcha River provides excellent fishing opportunities, particularly for catching various fish species. "Caught my first fish ever here! It was a catfish I think," shares Joe C. about his experience at Salcha River State Recreation Site.
What campers like
Hot springs access: The mineral-rich pools at Chena Hot Springs are popular year-round. "The hot springs were so hot we definitely recommend visiting in cooler weather to really enjoy them," advises a visitor to Chena Hot Springs Resort.
Lake activities: Harding Lake offers swimming, boating, and beach recreation during summer months. "This was a campground with a fun water area for the children. There was a boat launch and water that we could walk very far out in with the children," explains Samantha M. about her stay at Harding Lake State Recreation Area.
Wildlife viewing: The area provides opportunities to see moose and other Alaska wildlife. "There were plenty of opportunities to view wildlife as moose came running through our campsite," notes another review from Harding Lake State Recreation Area.
What you should know
Mosquito preparation: Summer brings heavy mosquito activity to the area. "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," warns Samantha M. about River Park Campground.
Services availability: Limited services in the Salcha area require advance planning. "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," notes a camper at Harding Lake.
Water access: Seasonal water level changes can affect swimming and boating. "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," suggests a visitor to Harding Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Baseball field access: Some recreation areas offer sports fields for family activities. "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. about Harding Lake State Recreation Area.
Water rentals: Seasonal equipment rentals provide family entertainment options. "There is 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," mentions Samantha M. about Harding Lake.
Swimming areas: Look for designated swimming zones for safer family water play. "This campground had a roped off beach area where people played, lounged, kayaked/canoed and spent all day," notes a review about River Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Campsite selection: For glamping in Salcha, Alaska, choose sites based on your needs. "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," recommends Tanya B. about her stay at Chena Hot Springs Resort.
Dump station access: Limited facilities make planning essential. "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," notes M.P. about the Chena Hot Springs facilities.
Solar considerations: Tree coverage affects power generation for boondocking RVers. "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," advises Shari G. about Chena Hot Springs Resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Salcha, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Salcha, AK is Harding Lake State Recreation Area with a 4.4-star rating from 5 reviews.
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