Denali National Park Camping: The Definitive Guide to Camping in Denali National Park

Post Summary: Camping in Denali National Park

Denali National Park and Preserve is one of the United States’ largest national parks.  The park spans across river valleys, aspen forests, tundra, and the Alaskan mountain range.  The park is a wild and untamed place.  This untamed nature can make Denali National Park a foreboding place.  She is a massive 6 million acre park with only 92 miles of road where only 15 miles of road is open to the public.  This can make access and camping in Denali National Park and Preserve a challenge.

Here is everything you need to know about front-country camping in Denali National Park and Preserve.

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Denali Campgrounds at a Glance

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Getting to Denali National Park and Preserve

Denali National Park and Preserve is one of the few national parks that is accessible via public transport.  Denali is a 4-hour train ride from Fairbanks or an 8-hour train ride from Anchorage.  The Denali Park Train Station is located in the park and transport is available to all the campgrounds from the train station.

If you are on an Alaska Road Trip or want to drive yourself, Denali National Park is a 2-hour drive from Fairbanks or a 5-hour drive from Anchorage along the Parks Highway.

>>> Learn more about how to get to Denali National Park

Estimated Drive time to Denali National Park from major cities

• Fairbanks, Alaska – 2.25 hours
• Anchorage, Alaska – 4 hours

Estimated Drive time to Denali National Park from nearby National Parks

• Wrangel – St. Elias National Park and Preserve – 5.5 hours
• Kenai Fjords National Park – 6.25 hours

These parks are nearby but require a flight to visit

• Alagank Wild River
• Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve
• Bering Land Bridge National Preserve
• Cape Krusenstern National Monument
• Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
• Katmai National Park and Preserve
• Kobuk Valley National Park
• Lake Clark National Park and Preserve
• Noatak National Preserce
• Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve

Things to Know about Denali Camping

• Camping is available year-round. Only one campground is open year-round.  The rest open and close with the Denali Park Road.  Opening and Closing Dates can vary from year to year.  These dates are weather dependent. Check the NPS website for the latest on campground opening and closing dates.
• Only Riley Creek Campground has ADA specific sites. The ADA accessibility of other campsites can vary please check with NPS for specifics.
• Reservations for summer start December 1 for the following summer.  Make your reservation as early as possible.  Space can fill up fast and there are 34 first-come-first-serve tent sites in the park.
• RV’s are limited to Riley Creek, Savage River, or Teklanika River Campgrounds.
• Quiet Hours are from 10 pm to 6 am. Generators may only be operated from 8 am to 10 am, and 4 pm to 8 p
• Most campsites can have up to 8 people.  There is space for three tents and two vehicles at the campsite (except for walk-in sites).  The campsite has a picnic table.
• Camp Fires are limited to fire grates in Riley Creek, Savage River, and Teklanika River Campgrounds. Please do NOT transport firewood. Buy it where you burn it. Please double-check the fire regulations and ensure your fire is completely out before going to bed.
• Store all food items in your car.  Please do NOT leave any food, utensils out, or any scented items.  This includes toothpaste, toothbrush, chapstick.  Pretty much put everything but what you are going to sleep in your car.  Denali National Park is in bear country. Properly secure all items so no wildlife can get it.

>>> Things to Know Before Visiting Denali National Park 

Where to camp in Denali National Park?

Denali Campground Map

Campgrounds in Denali National Park

• Riley Creek Campground
• Savage River Campground
• Sanctuary River Campground
• Teklanika River Campground
• Igloo Campground
• Wonder Lake Campground

Campgrounds near Denali National Park

• Cantwell RV Park
• Denali RV Park
• Midnight Sun RV & Campground
• Brushkana Campground
• Dispersal Camping along the Denali Highway

Getting a Denali National Park Campsite

Denali National Park Camping Reservations

Denali National Park Canyon First-come, first-serve Campsites

From mid-May to mid-September, First-come, first-serve camping is offered in Sanctuary and Igloo Campground as well as a handful of walk-in tent sites in Riley Creek Campground. Sanctuary and Igloo Campgrounds require the use of the camper transit bus. Outside of the busy summer season, Riley Creek is first-come, first-serve

RV Camping in Denali National Park

Denali National Park Campgrounds

** All Campground prices are valid as of 04 October 2019.

Riley Creek Campground

Riley Creek Campground is the largest of the Denali Campgrounds and the most developed of the bunch.  Riley Creek is located at mile 0.25 on the Denali Park Road.  This campground is fairly wooded and allows for a bit of privacy between each campsite.  This campground does not provide a view of Denali but is located near town making supplies easy to get.  This campground is accessible by car or park shuttle.

Sites: xx sites

Cost: Starting $xx per night

Reservations Accepted?:

ADA specific sites:

RVs?:

Pets: Yes, but please review the Denali National Park Pet Policy

Facilities:

Season:

Typical Fill Time:

Closest General Store:

Campground Map: Click Here

Savage River Campground

Savage River Campground is the first of Denali camping to provide a view of Denali (formerly Mount McKinley).  Savage River is located at mile 13 on the Denali Park Road. The campground is spread out in a small spruce forest to allow for privacy of the campsites.  This campground is accessible by car or park shuttle.

Sanctuary River Campground

Sanctuary River Campground is the first tent only with no vehicle access campgrounds.  This small campground is located at mile 22 on the Denali Park Road. The campground can have a clear view of Denali but a short hike up nearby mountains can provide an epic view.  The campground is brushy and wooded providing each campsite with a bit of privacy.

Please note no campfires are allowed.

Teklanika River Campground

Teklanika River Campground is an interesting campground.  Normally, private vehicles are limited to mile 15 but Teklanika offers the chance to dive to mile 29 of the Denali Park Road. Once there, your vehicle has to stay in the campground for the duration of your stay but it lets you start your adventures an extra 14 miles into the park.

You must bring all your supplies with you into Teklanika as you can not leave and re-enter without an addition reservation or bus pass.  It is highly recommended that you purchase a Tek pass to allow you to access the bus system to go further into the park.

Campfires are allowed.  Be sure to bring all the wood you need with you.

Igloo Campground

Igloo Campground is another small tent-only campground.  Like Sanctuary River, this campground has no water and is first-come-first-serve.  This campground is nestled near Cathedral Mountain and Igloo Mountain.  While there is no potable water, the nearby Igloo Creek is an available water source.  The campground is wooded with hiking available nearby.  It is only accessible via the bus system.  Igloo Campground is located at mile marker 35.

No campfires allowed.

Wonder Lake Campground

Wonder Lake Campground is the most spectacular campground in the park.  Wonderland is located at mile 85 on the Denali Park Road.  On clear days, Denali fills the sky and the view is unmatched.  The only downside is the Wonder Lake is a breeding ground for Alaska’s state bird – the Mosquito. The campground is only accessible via bus.

No campfires are allowed.

Further Reading – 10 Essential Tips for Visiting Denali National Park

Private Campgrounds near Denali National Park

Backcountry Camping in Denali National Park

Denali National Park Camping in the Backcountry

What to Pack for Camping in Denali National Park

Lodging inside Denali National Park

Where to stay if everything is FULL?

Does Alaska Trip Planning Leave You Feeling Overwhelmed?

Jump right into booking your Alaska National Parks trip with our expertly designed, pre-made, downloadable National Park itineraries.

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