Chena River State Recreation Area RV & Campground Guide
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Located 45 miles east of Fairbanks, Alaska, Chena River State Recreation Area is a 254,080-acre state park full of forests, fishing ponds, and granite rock formations. Visitors can also access the Chena River from the park, which is a 100-mile river with Class I to II rapids. This park, first opened in 1967 by Alaskan legislators, was expanded to its current size in 1975 in an effort to preserve Alaska’s remaining natural resources after oil drilling boomed in the region.
Nearby Cities
Pleasant Valley, AK
Two Rivers, AK
North Pole, AK
Fairbanks, AK
Spring 21-47 F
Summer 52-73 F
Fall 10-36 F
Winter -15-0 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Chena River State Recreation Area
Campground Accommodations
Rosehip Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: No limit
Other amenities: Toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and potable water
Granite Tors Trail Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: No limit
Other amenities: Toilets, picnic sites, fire rings, trailhead access, and potable water
Red Squirrel Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: No limit
Other amenities: Toilets, picnic pavilion rentals, fire rings, and potable water
River's Edge RV Park & Campground
River's Edge RV Park & Campground is a wonderful location where you can stay that features a vast array of accommodations. It hosts a total of 167 sites with both full and basic hook-ups. A few of the amenities provided by the campground include a gift shop, dump station, laundromat, clean restrooms, and picnic areas on the Chena River. There is even an RV wash facility you can access if your vehicle gets a little dirty. The nightly rate for a basic hook-up is $54.95, while the nightly rate for a full hook-up is $59.95.
Fairbanks / Chena River KOA
Fairbanks / Chena River KOAis a charming campground near Chena River State Recreation Area that offers 154 full hook-up sites. The owners have lived in the area since 1964, and they are always willing to share their knowledge of the beautiful region. The campground also includes three pitch-and-putt golf courses that guests can use at their leisure. The well-kept laundry facility features 12 washing machines and 11 dryers.
Tanana Valley Campground and RV Park
Tanana Valley Campground and RV Park is a pleasant destination in the region you may want to consider for your stay. It features both electric and non-electric sites that come with free Wi-Fi access, a picnic table, and a fire ring. Sites with 30-amp service have a nightly rate of $30, and sites with 50-amp service have a nightly rate of $50. A couple of the best nearby attractions include the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center and the Aurora Ice Museum.
What to Do at
Chena River State Recreation Area
In the winter, visitors to Chena River State Recreation Area can participate in or watch two major dog sled races on the Chena Hot Springs Winter Trail. There are also other winter trails in the recreation area for enjoying on skis or snow machines. In summer, visitors often come to the state park to enjoy ATV riding on the forest trails.
There are several public-use cabins at Chena River State Recreation Area, and many visitors use these facilities in the winter while out on the trails. Photographers also love this recreation area for its scenic granite tors, which appear as rocky hills scattered throughout the forests.
Inside Chena River State Recreation Area
Visitors can fish at the Chena River for arctic grayling as long as they abide by the catch-and-release policy. It is allowed, however, to keep fish caught at any of the three stocked ponds located throughout the premises. Granite Tors Loop Trail is a 14.1-mile hiking path you can check out to experience some of the recreation area's most compelling natural features. During the colder months, the Chena Hot Springs Winter Trail is available for activities such as skiing, dog sledding, and snow machining. Wildlife species that inhabit the area include moose, coyotes, and beavers; guests have even spotted black and grizzly bears on occasion.
Fishing
Anglers love fishing in Chena River State Recreation Area for arctic grayling. Grayling can be caught in either the river or any of the three gravel ponds in the area. Grayling from the river must be released, while grayling from the ponds may be kept. Anglers should also know that salmon fishing, including catch-and-release fishing, is prohibited in this park.
Nature Watching
In the spring, visitors can spot pasqueflowers and crocuses growing alongside the recreation area’s many trails. Wildflowers are also commonly seen in the summer, and you will likely see moose among them then. Beavers are usually in the area’s ponds, and other animals of the area include wolves, bears, lynx, foxes, and coyotes.
Hiking
There are plenty of trails to check out at Chena River State Recreation Area, and these trails are open during all seasons. Some of the most popular trails include Angel Creek Hillside Trail, which is a 10-mile hike to a public cabin; Angel Rocks Trail, which is a 3.5-mile round trip; and Chena Dome Trail, which is a 30-mile, three-day round trip.
Boating
The Chena River is a Class I-II difficulty river, and it flows from the Yukon-Tanana Uplands to the Tanana River in Fairbanks. Canoes, kayaks, rafts, and riverboats are all permitted in the river, and most visitors put their watercraft in the river either along Chena Hot Springs Road or at one of the boat launches at the three developed campgrounds.
Biking
Bicycles are allowed in all the campgrounds at Chena River State Recreation Area. Additionally, bikes are allowed on some trails, including the Chena Dome Trail and Mastodon Trail. Bikes are also permitted in the picnic areas and on trails that are marked for off-road vehicles.
How to Get to
Chena River State Recreation Area
To reach Chena River State Recreation Area from Fairbanks, take AK-2 West to the Chena Hot Springs Road exit. From there, taking Chena Hot Springs Road for approximately 40 miles will lead visitors into the recreation area.
Entering Chena River State Recreation Area
There are no fees to enter the area, though there may be fees to use the day-use areas, specifically at any of the campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chena River State Recreation Area
This state recreation area attracts over 150,000 visitors year-round, and there is always something to enjoy in the park. In the summer, you can enjoy hiking and fishing in warmer weather, and in the winter, you can enjoy ice fishing, skiing, and snowmobiling.
Moose are commonly seen throughout this state park. In the alpine areas, grizzly bears and black bears may also be spotted.
There are three developed campgrounds at Chena River State Recreation Area, and all campgrounds have sites large enough for RVs to use. However, no hookups are available, other than potable water, for RVers to use in this park.
Camping spots may be available to reserve upon entering the campgrounds in this state recreation area, but it's best to reserve your site online to ensure availability. The cost to camp in this area is $20 a night per campsite, with extra fees sometimes applicable for more than one vehicle.
Pets are allowed at this recreation area so long as they are leashed and within 6 feet at all times. You can bring your pets along to the campgrounds and trails.
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