Alaska State Fair
The Alaska State Fair has been a favorite of locals and visitors for decades. Set in the Chugach Mountains, the event features creative arts exhibits, live music, delicious food, and more. It's ideal for families, couples, travelers, and anyone who wants to learn more about the local culture. RV travel gives you an opportunity to relax in style, enjoy the scenery, and even make it part of an extended road trip.
ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT
Hundreds of vendors attend the Alaska State Fair to offer local delicacies and handmade craft items. There are several carnival rides to enjoy, as well as farm and livestock exhibits. You can watch monster trucks duke it out, listen to live music, or watch chainsaw sculptors create masterpieces from logs and tree stumps. If you prefer to encounter live critters, you can visit a reptile exhibit and get up close and personal with amphibians and lizards of all shapes and sizes. There are special discounts for seniors and kids.
ON-SITE AMENITIES
The Alaska State Fair goes all out to make sure that visitors have a good time. There are plenty of food and beverage vendors, and you can also bring in your own cooler. Your cooler will be checked at the gate because you can’t bring alcohol in, but there are “wet” areas in the fairgrounds where alcohol is served. You can bring wheelchairs and strollers to the fair.
LOCATION
When you're RVing to the event, put the following address into your GPS: 2075 Glenn Hwy Palmer, Alaska 99645
FAQs About RVing to the Alaska State Fair
Do I need to get an RV permit?
Yes, you need an RV permit for the Alaska State Fair. You must buy it in advance of the event as they're not sold on site. Make sure to display the permit prominently on your RV.
Can I consume alcohol outside of my RV?
No, you can't drink alcohol when you're outside of your RV. Any alcohol consumption must be limited to inside the parked vehicle.
Are dogs allowed at the fair?
Dogs aren't allowed at the fair unless they're service animals. However, you can have pets within your RV. When they're outside the RV, they must be leashed.
Is the Alaska State Fair a family-friendly event?
Yes, it's a family-friendly event. There are plenty of live entertainment performances, games, and activities for attendees of all ages.
Is there a quiet time for RV owners?
The quiet time is from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily. During this time, generators aren't allowed to run unless they're needed for medical purposes.
Is there a designated area for RV parking?
Those with RVs will park in the red lot. Parking permits are available for purchase online.
LINEUP
• August 21: AJR • August 22: Megadeth • August 23: TBA • August 24: Amy Grant • August 27: CAKE • August 28: Modest Mouse • August 29: Nate Smith • August 30: BigXthaPlug • August 31: TBA • September 2: TBA • September 3: Max McNown • September 4: Twisted Sister • September 5: deadmau5 • September 6: TBA • September 7: Lyle Lovett
RVING AT THE EVENT
If you're interested in RVing to the Alaska State Fair, it's smart to plan in advance. This is especially the case if you're renting an RV through RVshare. The good news is that both tent camping and RV camping are allowed in the Alaska State Fairgrounds. However, please review the official website for 2026 pricing information.
Where to Camp Near the Alaska State Fair
Should you decide to stay off-site while visiting the Alaska State Fair, there are several accommodations to consider. Mountain View RV Park is about a 12-minute drive from the fairgrounds. It offers several amenities, including an on-site dump, a laundry room, full hookups, and full bathrooms. The Big Bear Campground & RV Park is another option that's also approximately 12 minutes away. Amenities range from a dump station to laundry facilities.
RV Rental Tips for the Alaska State Fair
It's best to make your reservations early, whether you're renting any class of RV or travel trailer and staying on site or you're staying off site at a hotel or campground. Please note that the site doesn't have electricity, dump stations, or water hookups. When you have an event this popular, availability can be significantly limited. Securing your reservations and creating your itinerary in advance can help ensure that your plans are in place so you don't have to worry. If you stay on site, you need to buy an RV permit in advance since permits aren't sold at the entrance.
WHERE TO STAY
Palmer is a quiet rural community in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Nearby lodging options include comfortable motels, quaint bed and breakfasts, and historic lodges. This is an area of breathtaking natural beauty, so you should have a great experience wherever you decide to stay. The Alaska Glacier Lodge offers a lot more than comfortable rooms and great views. You can go dog sledding or take a helicopter tour, and you can enjoy al fresco food and cocktails at the Raven’s Perch Bar & Grill. If you're looking for a home away from home in the Alaskan wilderness, Peak Lodging Alaska could be the perfect choice. There are three spacious cabins to choose from, and they all have full kitchens and offer amazing views of the Chugach Mountains. Located in Wasilla and just a short drive from the fairgrounds, Lake Lucille Bed & Breakfast offers its guests charming rooms and serene lake and mountain views.
HOW TO GET THERE
The closest major airport to Palmer is Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. From the airport, you'll take W. International Airport Road to AK-1N to get to the fairgrounds. The trip shouldn't take more than an hour. You can also catch a Fair Train at the Alaska Railroad Anchorage Depot that will take you straight to the fairgrounds. If you'll be staying in a local hotel and don’t want to deal with parking, you can take a bus operated by Valley Transit to the fairgrounds.
PARKING
You can buy RV parking tickets online. Daily, weekly, and seasonal RV parking permits are available through the official website. Lot entry occurs from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Arrive as early as possible, especially if you're still getting used to parking your large camper.
TICKETS & PRICING
Ticket prices vary significantly depending on your age and the events you want to attend. However, for general admission tickets purchased in advance, the prices are: • Kids ages (0 - 5): free • Youth (6 - 12): $9.75 • Senior (65+): $9.75 • Adult (13 - 64): $16.75 RV parking prices for 2026 have not yet been posted.
WRAP UP
The Alaska State Fair provides an opportunity to experience an incredible part of the country and learn about its people, animals, and culture. Visiting the fair in an RV could be a perfect vacation, whether you're taking a short trip or a longer one while you tackle your bucket list. Make sure to plan your trip in advance. For more information about the Alaska State Fair, you can connect with the event on Facebook.
18-Day RV Itinerary for Alaska State Fair
• Day 1: Get your RV set up. When you’re settled, start your fair experience off right by seeing AJR perform. • Day 2: Love heavy metal music? See Megadeth perform at 7 p.m. All concert tickets are available via the official fair website. • Day 3: Take a food and drink tour at the fair. There are plenty of delicious options available from a wide range of vendors. • Day 4: The judging for the Herb & Edible Wildflowers Cheesecake Contest starts at 7 p.m. The entries are both delicious and beautiful, making them worthy of appreciation! The Amy Grant concert also starts at 7 p.m. • Day 5: Enjoy works by talented local artisans, such as paintings and jewelry. Make sure to buy some of your favorite pieces to honor your trip. • Day 6: Spend all day riding as many carnival rides as possible. Take the night to relax and unwind with some great dessert after all the excitement. • Day 7: Grab some hearty food to keep energized. When you’re done, go see CAKE at 7 p.m. • Day 8: Don’t miss Modest Mouse! The show goes on at 7 p.m. • Day 9: Speak to some of the local vendors about their products, such as their prized honey and vegetables. Nate Smith goes on at 7 pm. • Day 10: What’s better than pie at a fair? The judging for the Red, White, & Blue pie contest starts at 7 p.m. Buy a few pies of your own to take home. • Day 11: Stop by the 20th Annual Alaska Midnight Sun Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off. You’ll be amazed by the size and weight of these giant pumpkins! The weigh-off begins at 2 p.m. • Day 12: Make it a day of carnival games! See how many prizes you could walk away with. • Day 13: Take your car into Palmer and do a food tour of local restaurants. You could also take a scenic drive through the surrounding beautiful area. • Day 14: Check out all the adorable animals at the fair. Make sure to head to the Max McNown show at 7 p.m. • Day 15: Love cabbage? The 30th annual giant cabbage weigh-off begins at 6 p.m. There’s also the Twisted Sister concert at 7 p.m. • Day 16: Make it a low-key day of meandering around the fair. You’ll need all your energy for deadmau5 at 7 p.m. • Day 17: Since the fair is winding down, take a full day for your must-do fair activities. Go on your favorite rides, see some exhibits, and dig into delicious food. • Day 18: End your last day of the fair by picking up some souvenirs. Lyle Lovett goes on at 7 p.m.
Please note, this is not the official source of the event information. While we try to be as comprehensive as possible, some details may have changed since the time this article was written. Please confirm final details with the official event page .
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