A trip to Alaska should be on everyone’s bucket list! The scenery alone will blow you away. And there is no better way to experience Alaska than camping at Alaska National Park campgrounds. Then there’s the diversity of wildlife, cultural and historical attractions, and activities. You’ll struggle to fit it all into your trip.
There is so much to explore in the state, you’d need to visit a number of times to see it all. I have only scratched the surface, even after living in Alaska for nearly 20 years.
Alaska National Park campgrounds are incredible and camping in any of them will be the highlight of any trip! There are 6 Alaska National Parks with campgrounds.
Below I detail National Parks with campgrounds in Alaska. I provide an overview of the amenities at each campground in Alaskan National Parks with campgrounds, operating seasons, if advanced reservations are required, and whether they allow RVs and campers.
Denali National Park Camping
There are 6 campgrounds in Denali National Park, but only 3 are open to RVs or campers. They offer a range of features campgrounds with showers, to those with no potable water at all. Alaska National Park campgrounds in Denali are a must for any visitor!
PLEASE NOTE: The Wonder Lake and Igloo Creek Campgrounds are closed in 2023 due to a landslide on the road into the park.
Riley Creek Campground
- Season: Mid-May to Mid-September
- Reservations Required: Yes, click here
- Number of Sites: 142
- RV Sites: Yes, up to 40′
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: Yes
- Potable Water: Yes
- Hook-ups: No
- Dump Station: Yes
- Cell Reception: Yes
- Additional Information: Click here
Where is it Located?
Wonder Lake Campground
- Season: Mid-May to Mid-September
- Reservations Required: Yes, click here
- Number of Sites: 28
- RV Sites: No
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: No
- Potable Water: Yes
- Hook-ups: No
- Dump Station: No
- Cell Reception: No
- Additional Information: Click here
Where is it Located?
Igloo Creek Campground
- Season: Mid-May to Mid-September
- Reservations Required: Yes, click here
- Number of Sites: 7
- RV Sites: No
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: No
- Potable Water: No
- Hook-ups: No
- Dump Station: No
- Cell Reception: No
- Additional Information: Click here
Where is it Located?
Teklanika River Campground
- Season: Mid-May to Mid-September
- Reservations Required: Yes, click here
- Number of Sites: 53
- RV Sites: Yes (up to 40′)
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: No
- Potable Water: Yes
- Hook-ups: No
- Dump Station: No
- Cell Reception: No
- Additional Information: Click here
Where is it Located?
Sanctuary River Campground
- Season: Mid-May to Mid-September
- Reservations Required: Yes, click here
- Number of Sites: 7
- RV Sites: No
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: No
- Potable Water: No
- Hook-ups: No
- Dump Station: No
- Cell Reception: No
- Additional Information: Click here
Where is it Located?
Savage River Campground
- Season: Mid-May to Mid-September
- Reservations Required: Yes, click here
- Number of Sites: 32
- RV Sites: Yes (up to 40′)
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: No
- Potable Water: Yes
- Hook-ups: No
- Dump Station: No
- Cell Reception: No
- Additional Information: Click here
Where is it Located?
Kenai Fjords National Park camping
There is only one established campground in Kenai Fjords National Park. It is a pretty primitive campground that doesn’t allow RVs or camper trailers. However, it’s in a beautiful location and close to Exit Glacier. Of all the Alaska National Park campgrounds, Kenai Fjords National Park is the only one where you camp within walking distance to a glacier!
Exit Glacier Campground
- Season: Late May to October
- Reservations Required: No, first come-first serve
- Number of Sites: 12
- RV Sites: No
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: No
- Potable Water: No
- Hook-ups: No
- Dump Station: No
- Cell Reception: No
- Additional Information: Click here
Where is it Located?
Katmai National Park Camping
Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Of the all the Alaska National Park campgrounds, Katmai National Park is the best for close encounters with brown bears! There is only one established campground in Katmai National Park which is surrounded by electrified fencing to keep bears out! I camped here once and it was a pretty INCREDIBLE experience. Be prepared to see A LOT of brown bears, and to have some close (but safe) encounters with them! National Park Campgrounds don’t get much more wild than this!
Brooks Camp Campground
- Season: May to October
- Reservations Required: Yes, click here
- Number of Sites: 60
- RV Sites: No
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: No
- Potable Water: Yes
- Hook-ups: No
- Dump Station: No
- Cell Reception: No
- Additional Information: Click here
Where is it Located?
Wrangell St. Elias National Park Camping
Wrangell St. Elias National Park offers one of the most remote Alaska National Park campgrounds still on the road system. There is only one established campground in Wrangell St. Elias National Park, and like many in Alaska, it is very primitive. But it can accommodate RV and tent campers. The campground is located along the Nebesna Road in the northern portion of the park. It’s a very remote area with lots of amazing scenery, hiking, and very few people. The road can get pretty sometimes, and may not be suitable for all vehicles, especially those hoping to explore the road past the campground.
Kendesnii Campground
- Season: Year-round, but access limited in winter
- Reservations Required: No, first come-first serve
- Number of Sites: 10
- RV Sites: Yes (small or medium-sized)
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: No
- Potable Water: No
- Hook-ups: No
- Dump Station: No
- Cell Reception: No
- Additional Information: Click here
Where is it Located?
Glacier Bay National Park Camping
There is only one established campground in Glacier Bay National Park and is not accessible by road. But if you’re looking for a great oceanside campground, you can’t go wrong.
Bartlett Cove Campground
- Season: May to September
- Reservations Required: No, first come-first serve
- Number of Sites: 39
- RV Sites: No
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: No
- Potable Water: Yes
- Hook-ups: No
- Dump Station: No
- Cell Reception: No
- Additional Information: Click here
Where is it Located?
Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park Camping
Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park is not your typical National Park. It has a tame tourist side where you can explore the gold rush vibes of old town Skagway, Alaska and learn about its history. Or you can explore its amazing wilderness areas by backpacking the famous Chilkoot Trail, following the path of old gold miners trying to strike it rich. Either way, it’s a fun National Park to visit.
Dyea Campground
- Season: When snow-free
- Reservations Required: No, first come-first serve
- Number of Sites: 22
- RV Sites: Yes (up to 24′)
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: No
- Potable Water: No
- Hook-ups: No
- Dump Station: No
- Cell Reception: No
- Additional Information: Click here
Where is it Located?
Finnegan’s Campground
- Season: Year-round
- Reservations Required: No, first come-first serve
- Number of Sites: 6
- RV Sites: No
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: No
- Potable Water: No
- Hook-ups: No
- Dump Station: No
- Cell Reception: No
- Additional Information: Click here
Where is it Located?
This is a backcountry campground. Please check the National Park Service website for information on how to access the campground.
Canyon City Campground
- Season: Year-round
- Reservations Required: No, first come-first serve
- Number of Sites: 11
- RV Sites: No
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: No
- Potable Water: No
- Hook-ups: No
- Dump Station: No
- Cell Reception: No
- Additional Information: Click here
Where is it Located?
This is a backcountry campground. Please check the National Park Service website for information on how to access the campground.
Pleasant Camp Campground
- Season: Year-round
- Reservations Required: No, first come-first serve
- Number of Sites: 11
- RV Sites: No
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: No
- Potable Water: No
- Hook-ups: No
- Dump Station: No
- Cell Reception: No
- Additional Information: Click here
Where is it Located?
This is a backcountry campground. Please check the National Park Service website for information on how to access the campground.
Sheep Camp Campground
- Season: Year-round
- Reservations Required: No, first come-first serve
- Number of Sites: 27
- RV Sites: No
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: No
- Potable Water: No
- Hook-ups: No
- Dump Station: No
- Cell Reception: No
- Additional Information: Click here
Where is it Located?
This is a backcountry campground. Please check the National Park Service website for information on how to access the campground.
Summary of Alaska National Park Campgrounds
Alaska National Park Campgrounds are a great choice for getting to experience the “real” Alaska. You’ll see some mind-blowing scenery, amazing wildlife, and have the experience of a lifetime.
Be sure to book well-ahead of your planned trip. Most National Park Campgrounds that allow advanced reservations let you reserve a campsite up to 6 months in advance. A lot of these sites book up quick, so book early. You can always cancel, usually resulting in only a small cancellation fee. It’s worth the cost to make sure you get a great campground for your trip!
Check out our post on the Best Time of Year to Visit Alaska if you are looking for help planning your trip!
There are also many great campgrounds in Alaska that are not in National Parks. Check out our review of other Alaska campgrounds.
Or, if you already know you’re going to drive from Anchorage to Denali National Park, check out a list of great camping options on the way!
