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FFWyatt's avatar
FFWyatt
Explorer
Jan 22, 2016

Alaska Campgrounds Needed

Hey guy/gals my dad and I are making a trip this year to Alaska and I am looking for some campground ideas. We are renting a RV in Anchorage then heading to Fairbanks. We will be hitting Fairbanks, Denali, Seward, and Homer. Was there in 2014 but thinking about some new places to camp. Mostly looking for a places in Fairbanks and Seward. Hookups are nice but not necessary.

Any other places or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.
  • I'd also recommend the city park in Seward and the above link to the book "Alaskan Camping".

    For Denali definitely stay in the park for the best experience and plan for an all-day bus tour. Do the school bus tour not the 'fancy' bus tour. The school bus is very low-key, the drivers are excellent at spotting the animals (even while driving), and they'll stop for photos. I think the 'fancy' bus tour gives you lunch though. :) Otherwise, pack your own.

    For Fairbanks we stayed at Chena River Wayside State Rec Area right in town. Plan on doing the sternwheeler cruise.

    For Homer we stayed at the city park on the Spit. It's basic but has the same awesome views that the more expensive parks have.

    You didn't say how much time you have for the trip but plan for less days in Fairbanks than the other spots you've planned. Compared to the others, Fairbanks isn't that great but the sternwheeler cruise is very nice.

    The Milepost is good for history and maps but not for campgrounds.

    Purchase online the TourSaver 2/1 coupon book. One glacier cruise will pay for the book and there's one out of Seward. The sternwheeler cruise is also in the book.
  • agesilaus wrote:
    Get this book:

    Amazon


    x2 ... very good reference without a lot of the "filler" other Alaska camping guides have.
  • Try the fairgrounds in Fairbanks.
    We stay in Teklanica at Denai. Make these reservations as soon as possible as it fills up quickly.
    Enjoy your trip!
  • We really liked the Milepost. Plenty of information about camping, roads, pullouts, eating places, sightseeing, and a whole bunch of other stuff. The Amazon web site listed the 2016 version as coming out in March.
  • Last summer was our first time in Seward with an RV (after many visits using hotels). From my blog about the visit:

    "Unable to find a site at the City’s waterfront parks in town, we had booked 2 nights at the Stoney Creek RV Park. Two nights there had cost a total of $78.28 with taxes ($103.26 Canadian). Their Web site says “Welcome to Seward’s only luxury RV Park!”. Even by Alaska standards, what a joke that is. There are some very nice sites along the creek, there are lots of average sites, and then there is the back corner that we got. The rigs on both sides of us were workers in Seward on jobs. The men’s bathroom is very small, with minimal privacy. We moved a couple of miles, to Bear Creek RV Park. Although old and basic, the sites were nicer than the ones we got at Stoney Creek, and we got 2 full-service sites side by side for $41.20 each ($54.35 Canadian). The Bear Creek park was in a much nicer location than Stoney Creek – a short walk up the road is a lovely little park on Bear Creek, as well as the Bear Creek weir, a great spot for watching spawning salmon."

    Talkeetna Camper Park, for $35 each ($46.17 Canadian), was the best commercial campground we had during the entire trip. It’s beautiful, the sites are spacious, downtown Talkeetna is walking distance, the manager is friendly and professional, and the wifi even works!

    In Denali, we had reservations for Riley Creek Campground, where there are 2 types of sites based on size. Our unserviced “A” site cost $28 per night, our friends' unserviced “B” site was $22. You just drive around until you find a site, and we found an “A” and a “B” across the road from each other at the upper end of the Wolf Loop, the middle of 3 campsite groups (there are a total of 123 sites). Our campsite (A65) was large, beautiful, and nicely equipped. Absolutely perfect for our stay!
  • High on your list in Seward is the city campground bordering the bay. Some sites with water and electricity and a wonderful view. One of my favorites anywhere.