Fairbanks RV Parks - Fail

[4X4Dodger]

Well as a continuing chapter in my occasional series on Alaska I am moved to comment on the Fairbanks RV Parks.

Large ads in the Milepost tout the Rivers Edge and the Riverview RV parks. We liked the look of the Rivers Edge in the ad, but know full well this can be very deceiving. We tend to visit them first.

The Full page ad for this park in the Milepost makes it look like the idyllic and bucolic dream of an RV park...it is not.

This has got to be one of the most purposely deceptive ads for an RV park of any that exist and that is saying something in an industry that seems to know no bounds on deceptive advertising.

This park is crammed with extremely close sites, it is tight and while "on the River" is not scenic over 99% of its area. To top it off the rates are not what I would call good value for sure.

When we stopped to ask about a site, I always ask about the WiFi and where the antennas are...I was told that only ONE of their three antennas were working and that because of them being so full, don't expect to get on the system...

There are however some really nice places to stay in Fairbanks. One of which is the Chena River State Park. Huge sites many with electric and water and Wifi. The problem with the wifi here though is there are so many trees you cant get the signal. But I will take the trees any day. This is a very pleasant place with picnic tables and fire rings...none of which there are room for at those other parks...and lots of trees and birds. It is a small forest right in the city... This park is directly across the street (Airport Way) from a large Safeway and a Fred Meyer and only 3 minutes from the center of downtown Fairbanks. But once inside you are in a totally different world. Pioneer Park is just down the street.

Another cool and forested place that we checked out was the Tanana Valley Fairgrounds RV Park. This too is set among towering trees and many sites have electric but no water. They do have a laundry, wifi and showers.

These two parks are about $30 per night and in my view much better value than those Good Sam parks that are really nothing more than Sardine cans for RV,s. with few if any trees and no real appeal.

I highly recommend checking out these two parks before you decide on one of the others.

[lizzie]

We left Chena River this morning after a four night stay. We had a great site with electric and water and very good WIFI coverage. It was noisy during the day but very pleasant at night. I only wish they had something like it in Anchorage. lizzie

[4X4Dodger]

PA12DRVR wrote:
Along those lines......Chena River "Campground" or whatever the correct name is (not to be confused with Chena River State Recreation area) underwent a change of management a few years back. It sounds (I hope) like it is a better place now.

I made the mistake of routinely going there several times in years gone by and became intimately familiar with the reasons not to "camp" there over either 4th of July or Labor Day.

Since I was always (back then) in a tent, "camping" usually involved staying awake most of the night waiting for the drunken locals to simmer down.

I stayed there 5 nights and found it very quiet. And the young Campground host to be helpful and nice. We have had no problems there.

[4X4Dodger]

alaskan-rver wrote:
If you think those Fairbanks RV parks were sub-standard, what until you see what we lack in Anchorage.

So far I have stayed in RV parks in Skagway, Valdez, ANCHORAGE, Homer, Soldotna, Wasilla and Fairbanks. And in several Alaska State Parks.

I think I have seen enough to comment on this with some confidence.

And I am not saying the parks are bad, but that they are definitely NOT good value and terribly overhyped in very misleading ads.

[PA12DRVR]

Along those lines......Chena River "Campground" or whatever the correct name is (not to be confused with Chena River State Recreation area) underwent a change of management a few years back. It sounds (I hope) like it is a better place now.

I made the mistake of routinely going there several times in years gone by and became intimately familiar with the reasons not to "camp" there over either 4th of July or Labor Day.

Since I was always (back then) in a tent, "camping" usually involved staying awake most of the night waiting for the drunken locals to simmer down.

[daily_double]

True dat!!

[alaskan-rver]

If you think those Fairbanks RV parks were sub-standard, what until you see what we lack in Anchorage.

[jnharley]

We also had excellent Verizon cell service in Alaska. Even had 4G in Denali. We did not have our phones turned on in Canada.

[4X4Dodger]

Chiefelectusn wrote:
People have to realize you're in Alaska.
Read the reviews of the parks, they tell you how it is.
You are not in the lower 48, relax, enjoy the landscape and wonderful people.

\

I always find the above kinds of responses curious at best and a bit worthy of a good laugh.

There is always at least one of these. They never seem to understand what has been written or why or that it has nothing to do with being "uptight" or not relaxed. They have a unique ability to miss the point entirely.

As for reading reviews; I do read them and often find them either inaccurate, highly personalized and emotional due to a bad experience or just plainly gamed by the business owner or their competitors.

My post is about value and very misleading advertising. It should serve as a warning to those that come after me. It is not about comparing any park in Alaska to any in the L48. In fact to my mind some parks here are nicer than some I have been to in the Lower 48.

I view honest and forthright reporting on what I SEE and Experience as a valuable tool for those who care to read it. But of course I would encourage anyone to check this out for themselves before they decide. Others may feel differently and that is perfectly fine and to be expected.

[jnharley]

If one thinks that campgrounds in Alaska are anything like the lower 48, they will disappointed. Our best camping sites were in govt campgrounds or dry camping along the road.

[MNGeeks61]

4X4Dodger wrote:

MNGeeks61 wrote:
so use Bing aerial view or google earth

What you are forgetting MNgeek is that much of Alaska doesn't have Cell coverage along it's roads much less 3g or 4G.

By the time I get the coverage to look I can BE there.

Sorry about that, some people like to plan their trips way in advance. If you're playing as you go I can see that might be more of an issue.

Good point about the lack of cellular coverage in between the mountains.

[Chiefelectusn]

People have to realize you're in Alaska.
Read the reviews of the parks, they tell you how it is.
You are not in the lower 48, relax, enjoy the landscape and wonderful people.

[EsoxLucius]

Sticks are up many different asses, sounds like some people need to lighten up a little.

[Tarheel_2]

I don't blame you for leaving after the rude welcome you received. I didn't stop at the office when I checked it out. The day after I checked in here, I did drive through your park, but there were not any electric sites available. We also wanted 50 amp to wash and dry clothes. Our site is on the river end of the row and there is an acre of lawn on this end for exercising our dog. Has suited our needs. Drive into town is 15 minutes and some of our travels have been the other direction. After we leave this park, we'll probably be dry camping for a few days.

Happy traveling!

[4X4Dodger]

Tarheel 2 wrote:
Like you, I had previously made a reservation at Rivers Edge and drove in with my tow vehicle before registering. I made a reservation for one of their Super Sites and that was really a joke. I couldn't wait to find my out of the place. So before cancelling, I drove out to River View RV park, which is where I am at the moment, and thought at the time, and continue to believe, that it is a good park according to Alaskan standards. Did you check out River View? I have full hookups with 50 amp, good internet, and good cable TV. Just extended our stay for 3 additional nights.

Yes I did check out Riverview but was not impressed by the desk staff nor the park.

Now I am judging this on a VALUE basis. I just don't see what I am getting for the money especially given that it's 11 miles ONE WAY to Fairbanks, major shopping and all the attractions such as the Museum of the North at the UOA et al.

I actually drove out there in my pick up from Fairbanks and the lady at the desk didn't originally want me to drive thru the park to look at it to see if we wanted to move from where we were at. We were giving it a fair shot...but All Things Considered... we just felt it wasn't worth it and not nearly as nice as the place we have.