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
RV Camping near Salcha, AK
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Salcha provides several RV camping options along the Richardson Highway in Interior Alaska. Lazy Moose RV Park features 28 spacious sites with full hookups including 30/50-amp electric, water, and sewer connections, operating from May through September. Nearby Birch Lake State Recreation Site offers more basic RV spots with limited amenities but scenic lakeside positioning. "Sites are a little extra a night but well worth it," according to one visitor describing the riverside positioning at several area parks. Further north, Fairbanks/Chena River KOA provides 150 pull-through RV sites with full hookups, clean showers, and laundry facilities, while Rivers Edge RV Park in Fairbanks caters specifically to motorhomes with spacious waterfront options.
Within a 45-minute drive of Salcha, RV travelers can access dump stations at multiple facilities including Chena Lake Recreation Area, which remains open year-round. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with stronger signals near North Pole and Fairbanks. Many parks require advance reservations during peak summer months, particularly for big rig sites with 50-amp service. The majority of area RV parks close by late September, with winter camping options severely limited. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, pull-through sites at certain facilities may require navigating specific entrance points—one camper noted being directed "through the back KOA gate" for easier approach into their assigned site. Pet-friendly policies exist at most locations, though restrictions apply in certain recreation areas.
Best RV Campgrounds near Salcha (31)
1. Lazy Moose RV Park
"Such a great bnb my pup and I had to stop after that other location, just too much beauty that words"
Check Availabilityfrom $55 - $70 / night
2. Fairbanks / Chena River KOA
"For once in a long time on our journey through Alaska, the campground (CG) was not right off the highway."
"General: 153-site RV park, all with FHU (30/50 amp). Gravel roads and camper pads. All are level. Most are pull-through except for one section."
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $80 / night
3. Rivers Edge RV Park & Campground
"With full hook ups, and RV wash, shower facilities, and a gift shop this is a great place to RV. There are also lodging and tent camping options. "
"On-site laundry and showers this makes for a great longer-term spot."
4. Birch Lake State Recreation Site
"The lake is lovely. You can kayak or put in a jet ski. No rentals available. These are drive in sites, like a parking lot. But the scenery is nicer."
"There are a few walk-in tent sites on site as well. If you are military there are quite a few options for cabins and more sites but you need permission to enter."
5. Salcha River State Recreation Site
"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 lake view very nice. Friendly people."
Check Availabilityfrom $45 / night
6. Military Park Fort Wainwright Glass Park RV Park & Outdoor Adventure
"Great rates loved the location"
7. Salcha River Public Use Cabin — Salcha River State Recreation Site
Check Availabilityfrom $45 / night
8. Birch Lake Cabin — Birch Lake State Recreation Site
Check Availabilityfrom $55 / night
9. Group Camping Area — Harding Lake State Recreation Area
Check Availabilityfrom $100 / night
10. Why Knot Sleep Here
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $40 / night
Drive Time
- 38 min from Fairbanks, AK
Recent RV Camping Photos near Salcha, AK
35 Photos of 31 Salcha Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Lazy Moose RV ParkB
Fairbanks / Chena River KOAM
Salcha River State Recreation Site
Rivers Edge RV Park & Campground
Pioneer Park
Tanana Valley Campground
Chena Lake Recreation Area
Rosehip Campground
Lost Lake State Recreation Site
Big Delta State Historical Park
Lower Chatanika State Recreation Area
Chena Hot Springs Resort
RV Park Reviews near Salcha, AK
106 Reviews of 31 Salcha Campgrounds
- SSterling G.
GuideDelta State Recreation Site
Few acres near the riverwalk and a brush dumping station
Clean and quiet
Connie B.
RangerBirch Lake State Recreation Site
Beautiful lake
The lake is lovely. You can kayak or put in a jet ski. No rentals available. These are drive in sites, like a parking lot. But the scenery is nicer. There is a fire pit and printable for each site. Tent sites also or didn’t rain so mud was not a problem but we needed shade the heat! There is a vault toilet.
- Connie B.Ranger
Pioneer Park
A parking lot to a very cool park
This is a parking lot with some larger rig markers. Dry camping for $15. It is the parking lot to Pioneer Park. This park is very cool. A lot of history of Alaska, gold mining and just living in a pioneer lifestyle. Many houses were original to the area. It is a very cool park with lots to see and do for kids and adults alike.
Douglas S.
LegendFairbanks / Chena River KOA
All in all a nice KOA holiday campground.
Just outside of fairbanks, this holiday campground offers spacious sites lots of trees and riverfront access.
Also as is normal for most koas, the staff was extremely helpful in making sure I had a site near to a bathroom.
Ask for the rest I'll let the attached video and pictures do the talking.
Lee D.LegendFairbanks / Chena River KOA
The northernmost KOA (located on the Chena River)
General: 153-site RV park, all with FHU (30/50 amp). Gravel roads and camper pads. All are level. Most are pull-through except for one section.
Site Quality: A small patch of grass separates the sites from each other. A small wooden picnic table completes the site. Several sites are premium and include a private pavilion, propane BBQ grill, table, and chairs. If you want to pay the price, IMO the best of these sites is #83 as it has trees separating it from the next row.
Bath/Shower house: Several restroom/shower buildings located throughout the RV park. The women’s restroom nearest our site was clean; three toilets and four sinks. Soap and paper towels. The shower rooms are individual unisex rooms with a bench. Most have hooks, but at least one does not. Shower was pleasant with good (but not forceful) spray and hot water).
Activities/Amenities:
* Laundry. But beware, someone in our caravan had a white item turn brown from the water here. Also, the dryer resets itself once you open the door (and this is not the way I do laundry)
* Rentable indoor pavilion
* Outdoor pavilion near the river with corn hole, giant Jenga, propane firepits, bench swing, table and chairs
* Horseshoe, tetherball, playground
* Off-leash dog park
* Game room/library
* Firewood available for purchase
* Free RV/Car wash (hose and water provided, bring your own brushes and sponges
As far as large RV parks go, this one is good. There are signs posted throughout the facility warning that you are on camera surveillance; I have to wonder if there is a safety risk, although I felt safe.
- Megan J.Traveler
Delta State Recreation Site
Huge, private campsites
Right on the aptly named Cleatwater River. Great kayaking and fishing. Clean toilets.
MG S.GuideTanana Valley Campground
3.5/5 - wouldnt have stayed here if there were other options in Fairbanks
This was one, if not the only, campsite in Fairbanks that we saw. The park map was confusing and the first site we picked ended up being sketchy. The first site was right along the road inside the camp and a intoxicated man wandered in and sat down in the camp next to us. We spoke to the camp host and we were able to move to a more secluded area, thankfully. He (camp host) was great and friendly. Camp price for a tent was $30 (another reason we didnt want to stay here). Got to do laundry, though, so that was a plus. If you are a woman camping alone, please do not stay in the t40-t45 area of the map. Wanderers from College Road will stay there. We moved to the 35c-38c area and we felt better there.
- MickandKarla W.Legend
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.
Guide to Salcha
Dispersed camping opportunities exist near Salcha, Alaska, a community in Interior Alaska approximately 30 miles southeast of Fairbanks. The area sits at around 600 feet elevation with summer temperatures typically ranging from 50-75°F, while mosquitos remain active from June through August. Camping options range from primitive sites to facilities with limited services, with most requiring campers to pack out all trash.
What to do
River fishing access: Chena Lake Recreation Area offers both lake and river fishing opportunities. "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," notes camper Kela W.
Hot springs visit: Approximately one hour from camping areas, Chena Hot Springs provides natural mineral waters. Campers at Rosehip Campground use it as a base for this excursion. "This campground is bigger than it looks. 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," according to Tanya B.
Swimming with kids: Birch Lake offers designated swimming areas appropriate for children. "This was a parking lot style camping with 17 parking spots. There are a few walk-in tent sites on site as well. There's a rental place near by for water toys which makes a great day on the water for kids," reports Samantha M.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Birch Lake State Recreation Site provides campsites with natural separation. "During the week, it is very quiet. Weekends and holidays it can be crowded. Military recreation area just down the road. Over half the lake is privately owned," explains Georgia B.
River access: Campers appreciate direct river access at various parks. "This has been an awesome place to dip in the river. We have seen wolves in this river spot which was quite scary but an experience all the same," shares Kela W. about one river location.
Reasonable pricing: Many campgrounds maintain affordable nightly rates. "Great little campground just off Chena Hot Springs Road. There's great separation between campsites. Only $15 per night!" notes Megan B. about camping options in the area.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most RV parks Salcha, Alaska and surrounding areas operate from May through September. The Fairbanks / Chena River KOA specifies a May 15 to September 15 operating season, while other facilities close even earlier.
Wildlife awareness: Campers should maintain proper food storage and wildlife awareness. "We have seen wolves in this river spot which was quite scary but an experience all the same," one camper reported about their experience.
Mosquito preparation: Bring appropriate insect protection, particularly during peak summer months. "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," warns Erica C.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: River Park Campground provides family-friendly facilities. "The playground and bike/walking trails were great. The kids thought it was fun to watch the many tadpoles!" shares Samantha M.
Beach activities: Several sites offer designated swimming beaches for children. "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," notes Chris D.
Water rentals: Some locations have equipment rental options for family water activities. "There's a rental place near by for water toys which makes a great day on the water for kids. I would choose this place to swim over Harding Lake this summer due to high waters at Harding," explains one reviewer.
Tips from RVers
Dump station access: Year-round dump stations can be crucial for longer stays. "Easy to use class 1 download," notes Joe C. about the dump station at Chena Lake Recreation Area.
Site spacing considerations: Rivers Edge RV Park & Campground offers waterfront options but with varied spacing. "Whereas the campground map may make these sites look tight we were pleasantly surprised to find most of them had trees and brush separating each site. On-site laundry and showers this makes for a great longer-term spot," explains Shadara W.
Access routes: Some campgrounds have specific routing instructions for larger rigs. "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," shares one RV traveler about navigation considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV
campsite near Salcha, AK?
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Salcha, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Salcha, AK is Lazy Moose RV Park with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
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RV camping near
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TheDyrt.com has all 31 RV camping locations near Salcha, AK, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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