Denali State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Denali State Park, located in Alaska and established in 1970, covers a huge amount of land, roughly half the size of Rhode Island. With the exception of the campgrounds and a few trails, much of this land is largely a pristine and undeveloped wilderness area. The park is situated directly adjacent to the even more famous Denali National Park and the Alaska Range, offering breathtaking and panoramic mountain views. You'll also be able to catch a glimpse of America's tallest peak, the stunning Denali, formerly known as Mt. McKinley, during your visit to the park.
Nearby Cities
Talkeetna, AK
Denali Park, AK
Willow, AK
Wasilla, AK
Spring 38-55 F
Summer 48-66 F
Fall 23-39 F
Winter 0-16 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Denali State Park
Campground Accommodations
Byers Lake Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 35 feet
Other amenities: Toilets, water, picnic sites, dump stations, ADA-accessible
Lower Troublesome Creek Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: No Limit
Other amenities: Toilets, water, picnic shelters, ADA-accessible
K'esugi Ken Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 100 feet
Other amenities: Toilets, water, picnic sites, ADA-accessible
Denali View North Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: No limit
Other amenities: Pit toilets, water, picnic sites, fire rings, ADA-accessible
Denali View South Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: No limit
Other amenities: Pit toilets, water, picnic sites, fire rings, ADA-accessible
Mat-Su RV Park & Campground
Located just 41 miles from the Denali State Park Entrance,Mat-Su RV Park & Campground features all the necessities you’ll want to have a comfortable RV experience. Plus, the campground is conveniently located near a beautiful river, providing some of the best fishing within the region. Rates start at $30 per night for RVs.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: dump station, showers and restrooms, laundry facilities, convenience store, gift shop
Trapper Creek Inn & RV Park
Trapper Creek Inn & RV Park is located halfway between Anchorage and Denali National Park. Featuring stunning views of Denali and a plethora of nature, as well as some of the best hospitality within the region, you’re sure to enjoy your stay at this family-friendly place. Rates start at $20 per night.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: no
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: convenience store, Alaska-made gifts, dump and water fill tanks.
Montana Creek Campground
Montana Creek Campground is located 35 miles from the entrance of Denali State Park. Situated in the Susitna Valley along Montana Creek, the campground is celebrated as a fishing lover’s heaven. Prices start at $25 per night.
Water hookup: no
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: no
Wifi: no
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: convenience store, recreational trails, fishing gear to hire/buy
What to Do at
Denali State Park
In addition to offering excellent hiking and fishing opportunities, many people come to the park to enjoy camping amidst the beautiful surroundings. Head out for a backpacking trip, or enjoy a simple picnic. You can also rent a canoe or go kayaking.
In addition to a host of outdoor recreational activities to enjoy in the park, you can also take a scenic drive, learn more about the history of the area at the Visitor Center, and depending on when you are visiting, you might even enjoy picking some fresh berries or panning for gold.
Inside Denali State Park
While Denali State Park is popular due to its camping, it’s also a widely-visited region because of the number of fun recreational activities on offer. Denali State Park has stunning vantage points for viewing the breathtaking heart of the Alaska Range, plus, during summer, there are almost 21 hours of constant daylight every day. This means there’s almost endless time to partake in picnics, cycling, swimming, and so much more.
Some other popular experiences and activities at the park include:
Hiking : There are nine trails which cross the park, ranging from short, one-mile walks to challenging, multi-day treks extending as far as 36 miles. Popular trails include the Kesugi Ridge Trail, Byers Lake Trail, and Ermine Hill Trail. For a full list of trails within the park,click here.
Guided Hiking: If you’d prefer to see the state park through a guided hiking tour, then you’re in luck. There are currently two popular guided tours on offer, including Alaska Nature Guides Wilderness Day Hikes (starting from $64 pp.) and Alaska Nature Guides Multi-Day Treks (starting from $1,295 pp.)
Wildlife Viewing: Denali State Park is a treasure trove for wildlife lovers. Some of the animals you may see include black and grizzly bears, beavers, deer, elk, moose, and smaller ground mammals. It is also home to more than 130 bird species.
Fishing: We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Denali State Park and its surrounds offers some of the best fishing within the region. The park’s streams spawn all five species of Pacific salmon. You’ll also find rainbow trout, arctic grayling, Dolly Varden, Burbot, and whitefish among the rivers and lakes.
Fishing
The fishing is excellent at Denali State Park, thanks to the many lakes and waterways. Salmon, trout, and grayling are just a few of the species you can find.
Nature Watching
With stunning tundra views and Denali off in the distance, nature watching is superb in Denali State Park.
Stargazing
Denali State Park is situated in the heart of Alaska, in one of the most remote areas of the United States. Needless to say, on a clear evening, the stargazing is incredible.
Flora and Fauna
The park has encompassed diverse ecosystems, providing a home for various animals, including moose, wolves, and caribou. Lucky birdwatchers might catch a glimpse of an occasional eagle, hawks, and lots of migratory waterfowl. Coniferous trees and their accompanying pine cones are abundant in the park, as are a variety of trees from the birch and willow families, including Alaska birch and Kenai birch.
Hiking
Hiking is one of the most common reasons visitors flock to Denali State Park. The 30-mile-long K'esugi Ridge Trail is one of the park's more popular trails, though you'll find plenty to choose from.
Swimming
Temperatures in Denali State Park rarely ascend into the high 60s, so swimming is rare at the park. Ice plunging and "Polar Bear Plunges" can be very invigorating, if you're up for the challenge, however.
Boating
Canoeing and kayaking are both popular in the park, and you can also sign up to take a guided float trip. Rentals and shuttles are available. Motorized boats and airboats are allowed seasonally and with some restrictions at some of the lakes. Jet skis and hovercraft are not permitted anywhere except on the Susitna River.
Biking
Aside from the paved campground loops, there aren't too many opportunities for biking at Denali State Park. The one exception to this is the Roadside Bike Path. Many people choose to cycle along the Denali Park Road, though, as this is not a separate biking pathway, you should proceed with caution. Mountain bikers can try out the Byers Lake Loop Trail.
How to Get to
Denali State Park
From Anchorage, take AK-1 north for about 34 miles until you reach the city of Palmer. From there, take AK-3 for another 96 miles. The park will be on your right.
Entering Denali State Park
Most of the campgrounds, trailheads, and day-use sites have a $5 parking fee for any type of vehicle.
If you’re planning a trip to Denali State Park, then you sure are in for a treat. Once you’ve finished exploring all that the park has to offer, there are also some incredible opportunities waiting for you outside of its gates! During or after your stay, we encourage you to tag us in any of your social media posts, or why not share your photos and experience with us at [email protected]? We may even feature your story on our blog or social media channels. Happy camping!
Frequently Asked Questions About Denali State Park
The best time to visit really depends on what type of experience you are hoping to have. The frigid winters blanket the park with enough snow to go cross-country skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and dog sledding. The park tends to be the busiest in the summertime, which is when you'll find large busloads of tourists exploring the park
Just a few of the mammals that make their home in the park include black and grizzly bears, beavers, moose, and smaller ground mammals. Birdwatchers will find water birds such as trumpeter swans, ospreys, and loons in the areas around the lakes and rivers. Be prepared to encounter another type of wildlife as well, as Denali State Park is known for its large population of mosquitoes.
Yes. Some of the campsites at K'esugi Ken Campground are walk-in only. Most of the park's other campsites are suitable for RV camping though amenities are limited.
Although they are not strictly required, reservations for camping overnight at Denali State Park are strongly encouraged, as the park is often at full capacity. You can make a reservation online in advance of your visit. If you don't have a reservation, you can arrive as early in the day as possible to try your luck at finding an available spot. Day-use sites can also be reserved in advance on an hourly basis. Costs range from $20 to $35 per night.
Yes, your pets are allowed in the park, but they must be kept on a leash. You can even bring your dogs on the hiking trails, but note that some of the trails are very steep and may be unsafe for your furry friends.