Best Campgrounds near Talkeetna, AK

Talkeetna in Alaska has great camping options close to Denali State Park's beautiful landscapes. Byers Lake Campground inside the park has almost 100 sites with tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings. There are no electrical hookups, but you can use solar panels since trees have been thinned recently. You'll find vault toilets throughout and a well pump at the entrance, though it's smart to filter the water before drinking. Ken Campground is worth checking out for its views and hiking trails nearby. The Denali Viewpoint in the state park shows off amazing mountain views that photographers love. South Rolly Lake Campground works well for fishing and canoeing, with pit toilets and plenty of sites. Watch for wildlife and store food properly since bears are common in the area. Summer brings mild weather but lots of mosquitoes, while winter is cold and limits access to some campgrounds. The town of Talkeetna is close by with shops and places to eat. You can rent kayaks and canoes at Byers Lake if you want to get on the water. Bring bug spray and clothes for changing weather. The camping around Talkeetna is good whether you want to hike, fish, or just relax outdoors.

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Best Camping Sites Near Talkeetna, Alaska (49)

    1. Talkeetna RV & Boat Launch

    8 Reviews
    Talkeetna, AK
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 733-2604

    $25 / night

    "I live in Talkeetna and we still frequent this campground. Close to town but tucked away, this campground has a lot to offer."

    "Tent camping options in Talkeetna are limited. Thisnhround isnlovayed at the end of the main road in town. It’s super cheap and adequate space for a large tent ."

    2. Montana Creek Campground

    10 Reviews
    Talkeetna, AK
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 475-2267

    $25 / night

    "Very close to Johnny on the spot toilet, which was very clean. There are electricity hook ups but no water. There is a potable water fill up but no dump. Mosquitos galore though this time of year."

    "Wonderful fishing access to Montana Creek, nicely wooded secluded spots with no hookups, some wide open spots with hookups available up front but no privacy."

    3. Talkeetna Camper Park

    3 Reviews
    Talkeetna, AK
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 733-2693

    "Nice and convenient spot to check out the town of Talkeetna and take a driving break before getting to Denali."

    4. Three Bears Trapper Creek Inn & RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Trapper Creek, AK
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 733-2302

    "Excellent camp ground. a bit over priced but that alaska in the summer. we saw some free camping just north of here that would have rather stayed...but there was no sites available. so we stayed here showed"

    "There are just a few small, thin trees separating each site so you end up very close to your neighbor. It is mostly geared for RV's so it is very basic."

    5. Susitna River Banks

    3 Reviews
    Talkeetna, AK
    8 miles

    "Wanted a place to boondock for a couple of days near Talkeetna. Found this spot and it’s amazing.
    We are in our truck camper which could drive down no problem. Might be an issue for bigger rigs."

    6. Alaska Hideaway RV Park

    1 Review
    Talkeetna, AK
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (907) 315-1793

    $25 - $160 / night

    "It is an amazing little drive to this RV park and they are right next-door to the flying squirrel."

    8. Riverside Salmon Cabin

    1 Review
    Talkeetna, AK
    8 miles

    $137 / night

    9. H&H Restaurant & Campground

    1 Review
    Talkeetna, AK
    9 miles
    +1 (907) 733-2415

    10. Montana Creek State Recreation Site

    1 Review
    Talkeetna, AK
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 733-5267

    $10 - $15 / night

    "Bring your bikes since there are a lot of bike trails around between this campsite and the one across the street. They are connected by a tunnel under the highway."

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Recent Reviews near Talkeetna, AK

131 Reviews of 49 Talkeetna Campgrounds


  • Vicky S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Talkeetna Camper Park

    Good location, nice staff, …

    A previous reviewer wrote all the nice things I have to say about this place except that the man in the office was very nice and helpful.

    One downside: there are only a few bathrooms and they are both toilet and shower. This meant that there was a line in the morning because that’s a time when even those in RVs would prefer to use the facilities.

    $3.00 in quarters for 4 min shower. If this was meant to speed things up, it didn’t.

  • D
    Jul. 28, 2025

    South Rolly Lake Campground

    Great place to camp

    Great spot to camp when you don't want to travel too far from home. Would recommend!

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Montana Creek Campground

    Unexpected Reroute Turns into a Great Find

    Our planned stop at Three Bears Trapper Creek Inn& RV Park was a bust—their large pull-throughs were closed due to sewer issues—but they recommended Montana Creek Campground about 20 miles south. We called, and they told us to come on in. Located just off the Parks Highway/AK-3, the friendly campground manager gave us a map of the dry-camping sites that were available, including a few in the tent section that could handle our 40’ fifth wheel and told us to pick a spot. We walked the grounds and chose back-in site 13 in the tent area, which was more than long enough for our rig and F450—we even got to put the back patio down. We needed to top off our water tank, but the spigot had weak pressure, so the fill took a while. Afterward, we backed up in the large parking lot and headed to our site. We had 2 bars LTE on Verizon and 1 bar roaming on T-Mobile. The site had a picnic table, fire pit, and a nice stand-up grill. The campsites on the north side have 30 AMP but no water. Toward the back of the campground are more wooded pull-through and back-in dry-camping sites—some well spaced with privacy from shrubbery—but this area isn’t tall-rig friendly. The campground filled up over the weekend with locals from the Anchorage area. The same office also registers campers for the Montana Creek Recreation Site across the street, which is essentially a back-in parking lot for smaller rigs. Overall, we really enjoyed our stay—especially with the chance to get in some fly fishing.

  • James B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2025

    Susitna River Banks

    Nice play for two days

    Wanted a place to boondock for a couple of days near Talkeetna. Found this spot and it’s amazing.
    We are in our truck camper which could drive down no problem. Might be an issue for bigger rigs. Found a good mostly level spot and had two peaceful days.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2025

    Montana Creek Campground

    Nice little stop over campground

    Check in was very easy. Guys at the store are very helpful. It is right off the road, so yes there is road noise. We had a pull thru site, very level with a picnic table and fire pit. Very close to Johnny on the spot toilet, which was very clean. There are electricity hook ups but no water. There is a potable water fill up but no dump. Mosquitos galore though this time of year. Really pretty Creek. Great wifi near the well stocked store. Close to supermarket too. Great place to visit is Talkeetna

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 24, 2025

    Susitna River Banks

    Small overgrown space

    The river basin was cut off by a large flow of river limiting all vehicles to a small dirt driveway; fortunately there were few people camping so we made camp for the night. The mosquitoes were so bad however we stayed in the rv all night which is not our style.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2024

    Riverside Camper Park

    Clean up after Denali

    After breaking camp in Denali this was a great spot just far enough down the road to take a shower and do laundry. After 3 days of camp food the Thai restaurant right up the road was a dream come true. The showers and laundry worked flawlessly!,!,

  • K
    Jul. 19, 2024

    Talkeetna RV & Boat Launch

    convenient to town and shady

    We stayed here in a 40'  5th wheel. The RV area is mostly in the trees and a few places are defined, but a lot is just pick your spot and park where you can fit. The places along the water will need to be shorter rigs or you would need to park parallel.  Close to town about 3/4 mile.  Solar charging is a challenge due to trees and Starling also. You can run generators. No water or dump station, but there is a dumpster near the office.


Guide to Talkeetna

Camping near Talkeetna, Alaska, offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, or simply relax by a lake, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Byers Lake Campground. "We saw our best views of the tall peaks about halfway up the Cascade trail, which was moderately difficult but easy to follow," shared a happy camper.
  • Fishing: Head to Montana Creek Campground for great fly fishing. One visitor noted, "It’s right on Montana Creek so great for fly fishing."
  • Canoeing and Kayaking: Rent kayaks or canoes at Byers Lake Campground. A reviewer mentioned, "Hiking, paddling, and fishing on Byers Lake are easy to access."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the views at K’esugi Ken Campground. One camper said, "We loved this site... got to see Denali on a super clear day."
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of campgrounds like Willow Creek Resort. A visitor remarked, "Bathrooms and showers are clean and there’s always toilet paper."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy the roomy sites at K’esugi Ken Campground. "Spacious sites and plenty of maneuvering space for travel trailers," noted one happy family.

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for mosquitoes, especially at Willow Creek Resort. One camper warned, "The mosquitoes were the worst we witnessed in all of Alaska."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Denali Viewpoint - Denali State Park, lack drinking water and electric hookups. A visitor mentioned, "This is parking lot style. Not dispersed at all."
  • Crowded Weekends: If you plan to visit Denali Viewpoint - Denali State Park on weekends, expect crowds. One camper said, "It was packed and people were obnoxious."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds, like Willow Creek Resort. A parent shared, "The kids loved the playground and playing in the sand."
  • Explore Nature: Choose campgrounds with easy access to trails, such as South Rolly Lake Campground. A reviewer noted, "The campground is great if you like fishing or canoeing."
  • Pack Bug Spray: Bring bug spray to keep the mosquitoes at bay, especially at South Rolly Lake Campground. One camper advised, "There are lots of mozzies."

Tips from RVers:

  • Book in Advance: Popular spots like K’esugi Ken Campground fill up quickly. A visitor said, "You have to book these sites well in advance."
  • Check Water Availability: Some campgrounds may have limited water access, like K’esugi Ken Campground. One camper mentioned, "Currently... only one functioning water spigot at the pay station."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Campgrounds near towns, such as Talkeetna RV & Boat Launch, can be noisy. A reviewer noted, "It is a very noisy campground and not what I prefer."

Camping near Talkeetna, Alaska, is a fantastic way to experience the great outdoors. With a little preparation and the right campground, you can enjoy everything this beautiful area has to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find free camping options in Talkeetna?

Free camping near Talkeetna can be found along the Susitna River Banks, which offers excellent boondocking opportunities. This dispersed camping area is accessible via truck or smaller campers, though larger rigs might have difficulty navigating the access roads. The spot provides peaceful riverside camping with natural surroundings. While not entirely free, Montana Creek State Recreation Site offers budget-friendly camping options near Talkeetna with basic amenities like toilets. For true free camping, explore public lands along lesser-traveled roads outside of town, but always check local regulations as restrictions may apply in certain areas, especially during peak summer months.

What tent camping facilities are available in Talkeetna?

Talkeetna offers several tent camping options with varying amenities. River Park Campground is nestled in the heart of town, making it ideal for those wanting to explore Talkeetna on foot. This small campground fills quickly during summer weekends, so mid-week visits are recommended. Talkeetna RV & Boat Launch also accommodates tent campers with sites tucked into the trees for protection. Each site includes fire rings and picnic tables, and the grounds remain quiet at night. Both locations provide basic facilities while keeping you close to town amenities. For a more secluded experience, tent sites can be found at several campgrounds within a short drive of Talkeetna, offering more privacy among Alaska's beautiful landscape.

What are the best camping spots in and around Talkeetna?

The Talkeetna area offers outstanding camping options for every preference. Byers Lake Campground stands out with nearly 100 campsites and some of the best views of Denali from hiking trails within the state park. For a convenient base to explore downtown, Talkeetna Camper Park is less than half a mile from shops, restaurants, and the river, making it perfect for visitors wanting to experience the town's charm. Those seeking more amenities might enjoy Alaska Hideaway RV Park, which offers everything from cabin rentals to dry camping sites and is located near the Flying Squirrel bakery. Each location provides a unique Alaskan experience with varying levels of amenities and proximity to attractions.

Are there RV-friendly campgrounds in Talkeetna?

Talkeetna offers several RV-friendly options to accommodate various rig sizes and preferences. Hatcher Pass RV Park & Cabins is particularly well-suited for larger RVs and those hauling ATVs, with trees providing separation between sites. Its strategic location offers easy access to Hatcher Pass, Talkeetna, and Wasilla. For those wanting to stay closer to Talkeetna's action, Montana Creek Campground provides pull-through sites with level pads, picnic tables, fire pits, and electrical hookups (though no water connections). Be aware that its proximity to the Parks Highway means some road noise. Most RV parks in the area operate seasonally, typically from May through September, with limited services in shoulder seasons.