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Camping in Denali is a fantastic way to enjoy the amazing park. You can set up a cool tent or bring your own RV or another vehicle. The park has campgrounds that should fit what you like. Just remember, you can only camp with your vehicle in the official campgrounds, not by the roadside or pullouts.
Denali National Park & Preserve has 6 campsites along Denali’s Park Road. Each one is special because of where it is and how it lets you get to different parts of the Park.
You can reach all the campsites, except Riley Creek and Savage River, by using the Transit or Camper Bus. If you want to know more about the Denali campsites, check out the National Park Service website.
Making Early Reservations
You can book a spot online using a reservation system, even through other websites. You can start making reservations from December 1 of the year before you plan to visit.
Now, about whether you really need reservations – it's a bit tricky. The campgrounds in the park fill up sometimes, but not every night in the summer. If your plans are super fixed, or you're sure you want to camp in Denali (not in one of the places outside the park), then it's smart to book ahead.
But if you want to keep your Alaska plans flexible and not decide on a spot months before, you can wait until you're here or just before you arrive to try booking – just know there might not be many spots left in the park. There are also lots of campgrounds outside the park, from 1 to 30 miles away.
The cost for a campsite varies, but it's usually between $25 and $49 per night. Winter camping is free (from late September to early May each year). If you have a licensed Senior Pass or Access Pass, you get a 50% discount on nightly camping fees.
Denali National Park & Preserve Campgrounds
Denali has a some nice and basic parks that is a wonder to behold and can be a place to share and have fun with family and friends. Here are six camps in Denali, all with basic amenities for your use.
1. Riley Creek Campground
Riley Creek Campground is a neat place with almost 150 spots for camping. Right after you turn off the Parks Highway, it's on the left side of the Denali Park Road. There are spots for RVs and tents tucked among spruce trees by Riley Creek.
It's super close to the Riley Creek Mercantile, Denali Bus Depot, Denali Visitor Campus, and lots of hiking trails. This makes Riley Creek the easiest campground to get to park stuff. It's also the only campground in Denali National Park where your phone works!
There are four types of spots at Riley Creek:
A Sites – These are for really big RVs, over 30 feet long. They're the largest spots, fitting RVs up to 40 feet.
B Sites – These are for RVs under 30 feet and for folks who want to camp in a tent with a car.
C Sites – These are for people who come to Denali without a car. You have to walk to these tent sites, and you can't bring a car. You can only get these spots in person at Riley Creek Mercantile, and you can't reserve them ahead of time.
Group Site – This is for big groups of 9 to 20 people who aren't businesses. You have to call ahead to reserve it. It's only for tents, and you can't bring an RV. The most tents you can have there is 10.
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2. Sanctuary Campground
Hidden near Denali Park Road, Sanctuary Campground is a small spot just for tents. You can get there by taking a Camper Transit Bus, biking, or walking. To book a campsite, you can go to Riley Creek Mercantile or Denali Bus Depot in person, book online, or call our Reservation Office.
The Sanctuary River is right next to this campground, and you can use it for water. But remember, you need to bring your own things to clean the water.
You're allowed to use cookstoves to make food. Keep all your food in the lockers provided at the campground.
3. Teklanika Campground
Teklanika Campground offers a special camping experience surrounded by Cathedral Mountain and Teklanika River. To stay here with your RV or private vehicle, plan for at least 3 nights because it's in a remote part of Denali Park Road.
During the Denali Road Lottery in mid-September, this rule doesn't apply. Once you're at your campsite, you can only travel on foot or by Transit Bus until you leave. Bring everything you need for a good time.
Now, the Tek Pass: Since vehicles stay parked at Teklanika, it's smart to get Transit Bus tickets to explore the park.
Campers here can get special tickets called "Tek Passes," but you need to reserve them when you book your Teklanika Campground spot. You can't buy these passes at the campground.
The Tek Pass lets you use Transit Buses during your stay at Teklanika. You should get one for each person in your group. Buy it online or by calling 800.622.7275. When you get a Tek Pass, pick the day you want to ride the bus (probably your first or second day) and choose a specific bus.
This way, you're sure to get seats on the bus you want when you arrive. On the other days, you can use any Transit bus from Teklanika on a space-available basis.
Transit Buses usually start with a few empty seats, so even if a bus seems full, you might still get on, especially if you're in a small group.
The Tek Pass is made for you to explore more of the park during your stay. If you want more details on using your Tek Pass to move around the park, check this link.
If you take the bus back to the park entrance from Teklanika Campground, you'll need a new ticket to get back there. Don't go back by bus or your own vehicle until you're done at Teklanika.
Tek Passes are only for campers at Teklanika with their own vehicle/RV. If you're staying less than 3 nights, you can't bring your own vehicle and need a Camper Transit Bus ticket to reach Teklanika. This ticket works kind of like the Tek Pass.
For RVs or camper-trailers at Teklanika, one vehicle can't be longer than 40'. If you're towing a trailer, it should be part of your camping setup, like a truck pulling a camper trailer. If you're staying less than 3 nights, you can't bring your own vehicle and need the Camper Transit Bus to get to Teklanika.
Also, if you're towing a car behind your RV, it doesn't count, and you should leave it at the park entrance, where parking is free. You can check with the Riley Creek Mercantile, Denali Bus Depot, or Denali Visitor Center about where you can park overnight.
4. Savage River Campground
Savage River Campground is a bit smaller and more out-of-the-way than Riley Creek Campground. It's at Mile 13 on Denali Park Road and has 32 spots for RVs and tents. You can see awesome views of the Outer and Alaska Ranges, and sometimes even Denali.
If you stay here, you can catch a bus into the park without going back to the Denali Bus Depot. Remember, since it's a bit far, bring everything you need.
Savage River Campground has three types of campsites:
A Sites – These are the biggest spots for RVs over 30 feet, and they can fit ones up to 40 feet long.
B Sites – These are for RVs under 30 feet and tent campers who want a spot for their vehicle.
Group Site – Only for tents with a limit of 10 tents. No RVs allowed. You need to reserve ahead, and commercial users need special permission from Denali National Park & Preserve. Check their website for details on that.
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5. Denali Grizzly Bear Resort
The Denali Grizzly Bear Resort is a really old family-owned place in Denali. It all started in 1958 when Jack and Ede Reisland moved from Ohio and got 40 acres of wild land through the Homestead Act.
They cleaned it up and made small cabins, renting them to Denali Park rangers during certain times. In the 1960s, they added a campground and kept building more cabins and campsites every year.
In 2006, they even made space for new hotel rooms by the Nenana River. Now, lots of family members across four generations have made the resort super cool for people visiting Denali.
Amenities:
Need a ride? If you're coming or going by train, the shuttle is perfect. It matches the train schedule, and it's $20 for a round trip.
Hungry? There's a cool park nearby with awesome food trucks – they've got Thai, Mexican, and more. Or just cross the street for two great restaurants.
Get all your stuff at the general store – gifts, drinks, basics, and camping stuff like ice and firewood.
Not sure what to do in Denali? Go to the tour desk! They can help you plan your time, whether you're into flightseeing, rafting, or other fun stuff. They'll find the best local options for you.
Cabins:
You can easily drive up to 30 cabins, and some of them are really old, part of the original homestead. All cabins have heat, linens, and Wi-Fi. Plus, some have bathrooms, kitchens, and TVs. Here are the options:
Rustic Cabins: These are more basic, and you share a bathroom. Good for 2 to 4 people.
Cabins with Toilet and Sink: A bit fancier – you get your own toilet and sink, and you share a bathroom. Good for 2 to 3 people.
Comfy Cabins: These can fit 2 to 6 people, and they have everything – full bathrooms, cable TV, private decks by the river or on a hill, and even coffee and tea in the room.
Premier Cabins: The fanciest ones! They can sleep 4 to 6 people, and they have full bathrooms and a kitchen.
6. Carlo Creek Lodge
Ever wondered how life is like for homesteaders? Well, you can try it out at this place—a bunch of cabins sitting on 14 acres south of Denali National Park.
This wooded area started as a homestead back in the late 1950s when the Stoepler family decided to start a new life by Carlo Creek and the Nenana River.
Grandpa Otto came to Alaska as a teacher, way before Alaska became a state. He was driving around, looking for a good spot to settle, and when he reached Denali, he just loved it so much that he stayed.
At first, he built a few cabins with old-fashioned gas lights and no fancy stuff. He even had a small café, which is now the office. In 1959, he turned his home into a summer lodge, and it's been growing ever since—with more cabins, a gas pump, and other things, so people could stop by to refuel in different ways.
Cabins and Rooms for a Comfy Stay
Log Cabins with Private Bathrooms: These are cool historic cabins with their own bathrooms. You'll find queen and twin beds, and some even have bunk beds. Plus, there's stuff like a microwave, fridge, and a table.
Shared-Bath Cabins: These are newer cabins in the woods with one queen bed and a single bed. You also get a porch, a small fridge, and a microwave. You can enjoy the nature view, and if you need it dark, they got curtains. You share bathrooms, and one of the favorites is Cabin T, a cute historic one with a sod roof.
Lodge Rooms with Private Bathrooms: These are freshly made rooms in a one-story building. They come with a queen bed, a private bathroom, a small fridge, a microwave, and a porch for soaking up the sun.
Whichever you pick, you're in for a chill time with a slice of Alaska history. The creek and wilderness are right outside, and you might even spot a moose.
While most folks stay a few days to explore Denali, you might want to stick around longer just to enjoy the homestead life.
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Key Things to Know
Before heading over to Denali campgrounds and RV parks, here are top important things to consider.
1. Checking In and Out
When you're ready to stay at these campgrounds, you can check in at the Riley Creek Mercantile or the Denali Bus Depot. The time to check in or out for all campgrounds is 11 am.
2. RVs and Sizes
You can camp with RVs and other cars at Riley Creek, Savage River, or even at Teklanika River. But if your RV is over 40 feet long, it won't fit in any Denali campground. In that case, you'll need to find a campground outside the park that can handle your big rig.
3. Facilities
None of the campgrounds in Denali have electrical or water hookups for RVs. If you need those, look for campgrounds outside the park. All campgrounds have toilets, some flush and some are vault-style.
They all have drinkable water except Igloo Creek and Sanctuary River, so bring a water filter if you're camping there. Recycling bins are available for aluminum cans, glass, plastic jugs and bottles, and plastic containers.
4. Bringing Pets
Pets are okay on campground roads and Park Road but not on trails or in the wilderness. To learn more about bringing pets to Denali, check out the details.
5. Fires & Firewood
- You can make a fire at certain places like Riley Creek, Savage River, and Teklanika River using their fire grates.
- Don't take firewood far away; it might bring in unwanted bugs or plants. It's a rule everywhere, not just in Denali.
- Instead, get wood where you plan to use it, buy treated firewood, or pick up dead wood on the ground (no cutting!). You can buy wood at Riley Creek Mercantile.
- Fires are a no-go at Sanctuary River, Igloo Creek, and Wonder Lake. If you need to cook, use a cook-stove there.
6. Quiet Hours
- From 10 pm to 6 am, everyone needs to keep things quiet in all campgrounds.
7. Group Size
- Most spots allow up to three tents and eight people. Wonder Lake, Igloo Creek, and also Sanctuary River are a bit different, allowing only three tents and four people.
- Riley Creek and Savage River allow two vehicles if they fit in the spot's length limit. Teklanika River only allows one vehicle unless it's a camping trailer. Check each campground's page for more info.
8. Campsite Selection
- When you arrive at the campground, you pick where you want to camp.
- You can't choose beforehand. Some campgrounds have types of sites, and you can pick any empty one of that type when you get there.
9. Duration
- You can stay up to 14 nights during the summer. If you want to stay longer, think about camping in the backcountry or in private campgrounds outside the park.
- No Double-Booking
- If you book nights at a campground, you can't also reserve those nights for a backcountry permit.
Conclusion
Denali National Park is like a big, wild place where you can see amazing northern nature up close. It's got North America's tallest mountain, lots of wildflowers, forests, and animals spread across six million acres. People from all over come to visit.
The park has six campgrounds, looked after by the National Park Service. Each campground has its own style, depending on how much of the off-the-grid adventure you want. We'll help you figure out which one is just right for you.