FAIRBANKS -
NORTH POLE and Interior
ALASKA RV PARKS
AND CAMPGROUNDS
FAIRBANKS AREA Note: Several campgrounds in Fairbanks closed in 1998 and 1999. Norlite reopened in '99 under new management, but closed permanently in 2007. Rainbow appears to be closed permanently. Call the Information Center at (907) 456-5774 for updates. If the campgrounds remain closed, camping spaces will be in short supply, and reservations may be necessary. Please utilize the facilities of our advertisers, identified by BOLD CAPITALS.
Contact BOREALIS
TOWING in Fairbanks for all your towing needs.
E-mail: borealistowing@gci.com
1-800-554-3521 or 1-907-451-8697
Car carrier
trucks for damage-free hauling. Recovery trucks. We can haul your rig
from Canada to Alaska for warranty repairs. We accept most major
insurance policies and G.E., CROSS COUNTRY, E.R.S. auto clubs. (advertisement)
Pioneer Park (formerly Alaskaland) RV parking in parking lot. Fee charged.
Pioneer Park has shops, salmon bake, museums, a river boat, and restored Indian and pioneer villages. No fee for entrance. Fee for river boat tours, museums, and overnight parking.
$31 in 2007
CHENA
MARINA RV PARK AND RESORT 479-GOLD (4653).
RV
park has spacious full and partial hookup sites, dry sites,
panoramic view of Chena Ridge, and active float-plane pond. Pull-throughs,
sparkling bathrooms, showers, laundry, sanidump. Plenty of room for
slides and awnings. Enjoy your own lawn! Free cable TV, WI-FI. Desks
and ports for laptops. Northern pike fishing. Tour tickets. Free
Klondinental breakfast. Free RV and car wash. Guest lounge,
store/gift shop, ice cream, ice, propane. Let us help make your
journey relaxed and complete. We fill up in June and July, so
reservations are recommended. Exit Mitchell Expressway on west side
of town at Geist Road. Take Chena Pump Road 3.1 miles to park. Close
to fine dining and river boat Discovery attraction. Convenient to
Pioneer Park, salmon bake, shopping, airport, university.
Write: 1145
Shypoke Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99709-2537 E-mail
River's Edge RV Park 474-0286 Full and partial hookups, dry and tent sites, pull-throughs, restaurant, showers, laundry, sanidump. Gifts, tours, shuttle, riverfront cabins.
TANANA VALLEY CAMPGROUND 456-7956 or 452-3750
Nestled in the spruce trees next to Creamer's Field Bird Sanctuary. This natural setting hides it's central convenient location, midway between the University of Alaska and downtown. On the bus route, just off College Road. On-site hosts provide security and longtime knowledge of Fairbanks. There are 30 RV spaces with electrical hookups, a dry site overflow area, showers, laundromat, dump station, fire pits, and picnic tables, tent sites. There is a 7-day limit on camping. Good Sam discount. In August, enjoy the Tanana Valley State Fair right next door. Demonstrations, exhibits, events, top musical groups, raffle & auction, fireworks, competitions. Fun for the whole family a short walk from your RV! Write: 1800 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709-4173 Link above for web site. E-MAIL US
ROAD'S END RV PARK 488-0295
On the Richardson Highway, between Fairbanks and North Pole. We have 60 full and partial hookup sites, tent area, showers, laundry, and dump station. Convenient to city services and attractions. Free advice and information from long-time Alaskans. Write to: Judith Averett, 1463 Wescott Lane, North Pole, AK 99705 E-mail
Chena River State Rec. Site (on University Avenue)
Norlite RV Park is closed and the site is being used for housing construction.
Fairbanks RV Park opened as Ice Park RV in 2002 at the site of the World Ice Art Championships. From Airport Way take Peger Road north across Chena River to Phillips Field Road, then take second Chena Landing Loop Road turn. RVparking, camping, dump station, water. 451-8250 Visit the Ice Museum downtown.
NORTH POLE AREA
RIVERVIEW
RV PARK (888) 488-6392 or (907) 488-6281
On Badger
Road, three miles from the west junction with Richardson Highway, ten
minutes from downtown Fairbanks. One of the top rated RV parks in
Alaska. Located on 20 scenic acres along the Chena River. Full and
partial hookups, 30 & 50 amp electric, dry sites, pull-throughs,
tents, showers, laundry, gas, gifts, grocery, RV wash, free 3-hole
golf, horseshoes. On Chena River. Dining nearby. King salmon fishing;
catch and release Arctic grayling. Cable TV, WI-FI.
1316 Badger
Road, North Pole, AK 99705
E-mail
us Your host: Lezlie Tressler
SANTALAND RV PARK 488-9123
A Good SamPark, in the center of North Pole next to Santa Claus House. Featuring full service pull-throughs in a country setting at reasonable rates. Use the link above and visit our web sites for more information. E-mail
Chena Lakes State Recreation Area 488-1655. Just east of North Pole on Laurence Road.
For state campgrounds east along the Richardson Highway to Delta Junction see Alaska Highway AK page. Heading towards Denali? See the North Parks Highway page.
NORTH OF FAIRBANKS:
The STEESE HIGHWAY starts at an intersection with Airport Way near the main Ft. Wainwright gate. It stretches 162 miles to the town of Circle. Campgrounds are as follows:
Mile 4.9: Exit for CHENA HOT SPRINGS ROAD (see below)
Mile 11: Fox. Junction with ELLIOTT HIGHWAY (see below)
Mile 11: Northern Exposures RV Park Closed
Mile 39: Upper Chatanika River State Recreation Area
Mile 45.4: Long Creek Trading Post 389-5287 Dry and tent sites, rooms and cabins, showers, laundry, sanidump. Canoe rental, gold panning.
Mile 60: Cripple Creek BLM Campground
Mile 127.5/34.5: Central Motor Inn and Campground 520-5228 Dry sites, tents, rooms, restaurant, showers, laundry, gas
Mile 127.8: Junction with Circle Hot Springs Road
Mile 161: Circle, AK. Camp along Yukon River
Yukon Trading Post 773-1217 "Free campground"
CHENA HOT SPRINGS ROAD: A 57 mile road to Chena Hot Springs.
Mile 23.9: Pleasant Valley RV Park is permanently closed
Mile 27: Rosehip State Campground
Mile 39.5: Granite Tors Trail State Campground
Mile 42.8: Red Squirrel Campground
Mile 56.5: Chena Hot Springs Resort 452-7867 has not been open in summer. Call ahead.
ELLIOTT HIGHWAY: The Elliott Highway provides a glimpse of interior Alaska as it winds 152 miles to Manley Hot Springs on the Tanana River. There are state campgrounds at miles 11 and 75, and a city facility at Manley Hot Springs. Mile 49: Arctic Circle Trading Post. All miles are from the junction at Fox, eleven miles north of Fairbanks. Junction with the DALTON HIGHWAY is at mile 73.
DALTON HIGHWAY (HAUL ROAD) is a 414 mile long gravel lifeline to the oil fields at Prudhoe Bay on the Arctic Ocean. Distance from Fairbanks to Deadhorse is 498 miles. The round trip takes at least three days, and there are few facilities for the traveler. But tourism development is progressing, and expect to find new business opening every year. The road is well maintained and in good condition, but beware of huge trucks hauling supplies. Miles below are from the Junction with the Elliott Highway, 84 miles north of Fairbanks. See 2005 NOTES for latest road conditions.
Mile 23.8: Camp by Hess Creek bridge. No toilet.
Mile 56: Yukon River. Facilities to left. Visitor Center to right. Be sure to stop and ask about weather, construction, new facilities, changes, etc. The Dalton Highway corridor is under development and new traveler's facilities are planned.
Mile 60: Campground at old pipeline camp. Hot Spot Cafe
Mile 90: Pavement begins
Mile 98: Finger Mountain Rest Area
Mile 115: Rustic campsites near Arctic Circle Rest Area; photo op (right)
Mile 132: Large Rest Area at Gobbler's Knob; Pump Station 5.
Mile 135.7: Undeveloped campsite on Jim River.
Mile 150: Grayling Lake Rest Area
Mile 156: Dry camping at the South Fork Koyukuk River Bridge; toilet
Mile 175: COLDFOOT Sourdough Fuel RV Park 678-5201 partial hookups, pull-throughs, tents, rooms, restaurant, showers, sanidump, gas, tire repair, gift shop.
Mile 175: New Information Center to west. Pavement ends.
Mile 188.6: Lodging at Wiseman. Details unknown.
Mile 204.3: RV parking in large turnout north of bridge
Mile 235: Farthest north spruce tree, just south of the Brooks Range. New toilet. Some ass has girdled the tree! The road is pretty good gravel up and over the pass but turns to rough stones near Pump Station 3. Check your tire pressure often, as the constant pounding will reduce pressure and cause sidewall failure. We know!
At the road gate be alert for kits on road. (Baby foxes).
Mile 237: Viewpoint; parking
Mile 274.7: RV parking at Galbraith construction camp. Drive past the airstrip and continue up the narrow gravel road. New outhouse. Lots of mosquitos!
Stuff Happens!
Mile 305: State Highway Maintenance Camp. Watch for caribou and musk oxen
Mile 312: Pump Station 3
Mile 325: RV parking in turnout
Mile 359: Pump Station 2. Arctic Plain Overlook Rest Area to west.
Mile 414: Deadhorse. Overnight parking allowed at Tesoro station and Arctic Oilfield Hotel. Note that the road does not continue to the Arctic Ocean, and you must book a tour at one of the hotels to continue north. Tours were temporarily suspended after 9-11. As of July, 2002, tours to the ocean were being offered for $37.50; tours to the oil facilities were no longer available. You must reserve your tour 24 hours in advance to allow time for a security check. Picture I.D. required. Call Arctic Caribou Inn (907) 659-2368 for tour details. See our 2005 NOTES
To purchase gas after hours you must activate the pump with your credit card or pay for a call-out. The card reader will debit your card as if you were driving an 18-wheeler $400 or more), and this debit may take several days to clear and reflect your actual purchase. This type of transaction is taking place all the time, but you don't notice.