Looking for the best RV campgrounds in Alaska? A place for your family to go camping that has access to nature and beautiful views? Or maybe with fishing or boating opportunities. Let us help you discover Alaska!
If you're looking for the best RV campgrounds in Alaska for families or to experience the Alaskan backcountry, we've got you covered. Not only will we help you find RV campgrounds with activities for kids and full hookups, but we'll help you locate the best places with fishing, boating, and wildlife opportunities too.
With tons of RV campgrounds around the state of Alaska, you have a lot of options. If you want to find an RV campground near the coast, they've got that. If you want an RV campground with mountain views, they've got that too. And if you are looking for something near a ski resort, they even have that! Alaska is a great place for RV camping and experiencing America's Last Frontier.
So if coastal views, 24 hours of sunlight, hiking, and beautiful scenery are what you're looking for, Alaska is the place to go! Keep reading to find everything you need to know about RV camping in Alaska.
Before we investigate the best campgrounds in Alaska, know there are five distinct regions of the state, according to Alaska.gov. However, RV-friendly campgrounds with full hookups are only found in three of these areas—which is where we will focus our attention in this piece.
Before planning a trip to Alaska, there are some helpful resources for you to get familiar with. Check out these helpful resources on the state of Alaska.
Now that we've given you the essential information, let us help you figure out where you want to visit in America's Last Frontier.
A Little About Alaska
The 665,000+ square miles of land in and near the Arctic that makes up present-day Alaska. Alaska was purchased for 7.2 million dollars as a part of the Treaty of Cession of 1867. If you're wondering, that is about 1.7 cents per acre. It became the 49th state on January 3, 1959.
You shouldn't underestimate the size of Alaska. If you've ever driven across Texas and thought, "that is a huge state," Alaska is almost two and a half times the size of Texas. In fact, you can fit the three next largest states—Texas, California, and Montana—inside the borders of Alaska and still add in Utah for good measure.
Alaska is home to the highest peak in North America too. Inside Denali National Park, there is a mountain that touches the clouds with a peak of 20,310 feet. The name of this high point was Mount McKinley, until the year 2016 when it was renamed Denali.
Inside Alaska's borders, there are eight of the 63 National Parks. These eight are scattered around the state and include:
Denali National Park
Gates of the Arctic National Park
Glacier Bay National Park
Katmai National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park
Kobuk Valley National Park
Lake Clark National Park
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
The majority of people that visit Alaska are headed for the sites, sounds, and sports. There are beautiful national parks, about 100,000 glaciers, some of the best fishing in the world, and of course, diverse wildlife. Some of the most popular wildlife sightings are humpback whales, grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and bald eagles. But there are some other amazing creatures to see too. Orca, river otters, Dall sheep, and wolves are also quite common in Alaska.
As you plan your trip to Alaska, you might take some of the most popular Alaskan activities into consideration. Here you can walk on a glacier, take a sled dog or helicopter tour, go sea kayaking, fishing, pan for gold, and hike one of the many trails in this beautiful and sometimes harsh landscape.
But to do all of that, you'll need to find that perfect camping site. And that is what we are going to help you with now. We are going to look at the Interior, Southcentral, and Southeast regions to help you find the perfect camping destinations.
Far North
Southwest
Interior
Southcentral
Southeast
RVing in the Interior
This region is often called Alaska's heartland. It is home to Denali National Park, North America's tallest peak, and several other nature preserves.
The Interior has a vast expanse of wilderness that is begging to be explored. The area offers Jeep tours, snowmobile tours, guided hiking tours, whitewater rafting, guided freshwater fishing trips, and even some dog sledding opportunities.
The Alaskan interior is home to Fairbanks—the state's second most populous city—and a hub for the region and a resource for those living in the Arctic Circle. Fairbanks has a population of just over 30,000 people and offers plenty of restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, and even an international airport.
If you make your way to the Interior, you'll be able to enjoy the aurora borealis—the Northern Lights—from mid-August throughout the winter months.
Alaskan Interior Highlights
If you are considering Alaska, you might want to spend some time meandering through this beautiful section of the state and see what inland Alaska is really like. Let's look at some highlights as you start planning your next RV camping trip to Alaska.
Don't be fooled by the 20,310-foot peak inside this National Park. There is much more to this six-million-acre park. Lots of wild animals can be seen here, so take precautions! You can spot herds of caribou, meandering moose, grizzly bears, and the hard-to-spot Dall sheep.
The park only has one road and one entrance—and it is mostly dirt and gravel. In the summer months, drivers will only be able to use the first 15 miles of the road because of the vast amount of visitors. However, there are tours you can book to ride further inside the park.
This national preserve is largely untouched and has a breathtaking landscape. At this national preserve, you'll get a chance to see the importance of these river systems during the gold rush and experience the waters that transported these resources.
There are over 200 miles of the Yukon and Charly Rivers here. You can float the river or challenge its white waters. As you meander through the valley, you will spot relics of days gone by such as old cabins. Imagine the stories those people could tell.
This 2.5 million acre national preserve is only accessible via car in the summer months—so plan accordingly.
Fort Yukon is 145 miles northeast of Fairbanks and sits on the edge of the Arctic Circle. It was used as a fur trading outpost for years and a staging ground for the journey north. From here you can take a guided trip to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Fort Yukon is home to the state's largest Athabascan village. The Athabascan people were traditionally migratory people that followed the fish and game herds. They were often found along mighty rivers as a way to sustain life and are natives to the Interior.
Pioneer Park is a Historical Theme Park located in the Interior region of Alaska. It is a fee-free park. Pioneer Park allows visitors to walk the 44 acres and explore some of the area's history. You can do a self-guided tour through buildings and the park grounds, and lay your hands on some artifacts from yesteryear.
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the park is open from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. They have picnic shelters, shops, restaurants, museums, and plenty of community events all summer long.
Inside the park, you can check out The Alaska Salmon Bake daily from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM for dinner or enjoy some theater at the Palace Theater at 8:15 PM.
Consider the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center to learn more about the Alaska Natives. You'll hear talks, see exhibits, and have the chance to view films that will help you appreciate the natives and their ways of life.
After all your time outdoors, you should slow down and enjoy a relaxing day. Why not choose the Chena Hot Springs Resort? Here you can enjoy their Hot Springs Lake daily from 7:00 AM to 11:45 PM.
Top 5 Towns and Cities to Visit in Alaska's Interior
The Southcentral region is highlighted by the state's largest city—Anchorage. In Anchorage, you'll be able to enjoy big city amenities with nearby wilderness. There are fantastic museums, an abundance of places to stay, some amazing restaurants, and plenty of trails nearby.
This region is also popular for outdoor adventures. In Alaska's Southcentral region, you'll have plenty of opportunities for salmon fishing, deep-sea fishing, sea kayaking, and freshwater fishing.
This portion of Alaska is also home to three different National Parks. Kenai Fjords National Park, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, and Lake Clark National Park. Along with these three National Parks, there are plenty of other State Parks and other lands managed by the Federal Government.
There is plenty to do and see in one of Alaska's most beautiful regions. Let's look at the highlights.
Alaska's Southcentral Highlights
In this region, you'll find plenty of great RV campgrounds in and around these area attractions.
This National Park and Preserve is highlighted by wildlife and the largest lake in the state. Backcountry hiking, camping, birding, kayak trips, and rafting are some of the most common activities in this beautiful park.
Wildlife is incredibly active in this park too. It is common for visitors to take bear-viewing tours. As the bears take to the edges of the stream during the salmon runs, you can take your hand at capturing that perfect moment when a bear catches one of the jumping salmon.
To get to this park, you might have to take a float plane as there aren't roads inside the park. And this park doesn't have a lot of trails. It is truly an untouched beauty and only gets about 20,000 visitors a year. Will you be one of the visitors?
This 600,000+ acre National Park sits on the Kenai Peninsula. Over 300,000 acres of the park are covered in snow and ice, and it is bordered by a large ice field.
This National Park is a blend of leisure and intense adventure. You can take boat tours or go sea kayaking. You can follow along with a ranger program or go dog sledding. You can take a helicopter tour or try cross-country skiing.
The opportunities in this park are endless and unforgettable. There are towering mountains, calving glaciers, and plenty of wildlife to experience here. If you decide to visit Alaska's Southcentral Region, take a trip to the Kenai Peninsula and visit Kenai Fjords National Park.
The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is the United State's largest National Park. This park's 13,200,000+ acres is almost large enough to fit the smallest five states—Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, Hawaii, and New Jersey—inside of its borders.
This park is also incredibly important for our planet too. This park is home to Boreal Forests. These high-altitude forests have the ability to capture more carbon than rainforests. Making them incredibly important for the preservation of our planet's future.
The main visitor center in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is the Copper Center. Here you'll get maps, updated information on what is happening in the park, and advice from the experts.
Inside the park, you'll enjoy glaciers, towering peaks, and solitude as you explore America's Largest National Park.
About an hour outside of Anchorage, you can visit the Iditarod Headquarters. The Iditarod Race—The Last Great Race—is one of Alaskan history and continues on to this day. On March 3rd of every year, people flood Anchorage for the start of the race.
Visitors can travel to witness this experience or wait until May 15th and visit the Headquarters. If you opt for the headquarters, you can check out plenty of artifacts, listen to stories, and even book a sled dog tour.
If you want to be inspired by the dog sled culture and heroics, this is a must stop for your Alaskan visit.
The Kenai Peninsula has dubbed itself Alaska's Playground. After a short visit here, you will understand why this has become known as that. Here you can visit national parks and preserves, and fantastic state parks, and enjoy views of fjords, mountains, and glaciers.
If you enjoy the outdoors and the water, this peninsula has everything you'd want on an Alaskan vacation. Consider a paddle board tour between the glaciers, backcountry skiing, or taking a float plane to some remote area to fish or view wildlife.
The Kenai Peninsula is a great place to spend a week, a month, or a lifetime.
Top 5 Towns and Cities to Visit in Alaska's Southcentral Region
Southeast Alaska is the small section that is squeezed between Alaska and the Pacific Ocean. This small area is often referred to as the Inside Passage on cruise ships or even the panhandle by some.
This 500-mile stretch is packed with wildlife, glaciers that are actively calving—breaking off into the water—and plenty of rugged islands. Believe it or not, this section of Alaska is also home to one of the largest temperate rainforests in the world, the Tongass National Forest.
Southeast Alaska is a wonderful place filled with beautiful towns and plenty of fresh seafood to enjoy. While the majority of this region isn't easily accessible by car, you can still ferry or fly to different areas to explore. It is worth the effort because there is a reason this area of the Last Frontier includes the state's capital city of Juneau and its first city—Kethican.
Southeast Alaska Highlights
In addition to beauty and history, you can enjoy plenty of wildlife in this region too. With whale watching, bear sightings, and plenty of eagles soaring overhead. Let's see some of the highlights of this region.
This 3.3 million-acre wilderness is a wonderful place to explore during your travels to Southeast Alaska. It is one of the 63 National Parks and one of the few with active glaciers. Deep inside this park, you'll get the sense you are in another world—and to an extent you are.
This national park is a place of great interest to the scientific community and has been studied for decades. Some of the research is even attracting agencies outside of the National Park Services too.
During your visit to this beautiful national park, be sure to appreciate what is there. As the planet continues to warm, glaciers are slowly disappearing into the ocean. This will surely change the landscape and reveal what is under these ice sheets.
Visit Juneau
While some state capitals aren't all that memorable, Juneau isn't one of those. This region is home to plenty of wildlife, amazing fishing expeditions, and quality restaurants.
In the summer, you might want to take a trip to Mendenhall Glacier. Here you can walk on a glacier, and take in the views tucked between two peaks. Juneau has plenty of artists demonstrating their skill sets, live music around town, and plenty of other outdoor activities to enjoy.
From Juneau you can also venture out on some of the state's best whale-watching tours—many guarantee a whale sighting too.
This state park has one of the highest concentrations of Grizzly Bears anywhere in the world. It is not a place you'll want to do any backcountry camping, but taking a float plane from Juneau might be worth a day trip.
Two great options on the island are to try to see bears from the Pack Creek Bear Viewing area. Here you can watch bears do their best to catch supper from the creek. Or you can kayak the Seymour Canal. This will take you through some major lakes and give you a chance to see bears in different environments. This national monument is a great place for birding too!
This National Forest is the world's largest Temperate Rain Forest. And while Tongass National Forest is incredibly important for the planet, it is incredible to explore as well.
Tongass National Forest has hiking, waterfalls, towering peaks, fjords, kayaking, and is a photographer's dream. Heading to this national forest during the summer will give a photographer plenty of time for pictures—plus give them some extended evening and morning sun time.
This town is an absolutely beautiful town. It sits perfectly along the waters and is the definition of a sea town. The best way to see this town is from the water. From the cold pacific ocean, you can look at the city that slowly rises from the waters with a pine tree backdrop as the mountains tower in the distance. When you think of an Alaskan town, you are probably picturing Ketchikan.
Ketchikan is Alaska's first capital but also claims to be the Salmon Capital. Here you can book plenty of fishing tours from locals who can all but guarantee you a fresh salmon dinner.
And while many people enjoy fishing, a lot of adventurers make their way to Ketchikan to kayak. One of the most popular places for this is the Misty Fjords National Monument. This national monument is a 2.1 million-acre playground for kayakers. You'll kayak by waterfalls, glaciers, and see wildlife along the way. In Ketchikan, you can find plenty of rentals.
Use Harvest Hosts' Campground Partners Program to Find the Best Campgrounds and RV Parks in Alaska
The best way to find the top RV campgrounds in Alaska is to know what kind of experience you want. Do you want the interior experience or the coastal experience? How about the "roughing it" experience vs. the resort experience? Alaska has it all!
Joining Harvest Hosts gives you the opportunity to unlock several unique RV camping locations in Alaska's Southcentral and Interior regions, and discounts at several private RV campgrounds and RV parks in the state. Just head to the Harvest Hosts map to browse what's available.
When to Go Camping in Alaska
Because Alaska is so far north, your window to comfortably go camping is rather limited. Consider how early or late you'd be willing to go to avoid the crowds and save on the prices. But the window is short.
As a whole, the state of Alaska is rather cold, but the interior has the biggest change in temperature. Due to its distance from the coast, the ocean doesn't do much to help regulate the temperatures. In the summer the Interior has gotten up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. And don't forget the sun is up for almost 24 hours.
One thing to be aware of when heading to Alaska for an extended period of time is how much the weather can mess with you. Having the sun up for so many hours in a day can confuse your body and trick you into staying awake for far too long. Be sure to take that into consideration and set reminders for you to get some shut-eye.
What to Pack When RVing in Alaska
Because Alaska is such a large state, there are different things you might need, depending on where you go, and what time of year you go.
UV protective clothing, sunscreen, and eyewear are a must
Bear spray
Hiking boots
Comfortable life jackets
Fishing gear
Tips & Tricks for RVing in All of Alaska
If you've decided it is time to visit Alaska in your RV, then here are some things to consider.
Don't wait to book your site. Alaska is a popular destination, and it's quite competitive for the best RV bookings.
Watch out for bears and don't trust moose.
Blackout curtains: don't underestimate the impact of 20+ hours of daylight.
Book Your Alaska RV Trip
With pine forests, towering mountains, calving glaciers, and plenty of seafood, you'll love Alaska. The journey is long to get there and that means you need to plan on staying for a while. Join Harvest Hosts to unlock more RV camping options during your travels
Harvest Hosts is a unique RV camping membership that offers self-contained RVers unlimited overnight stays at 9,600+ unique locations across North America with no camping fees. Stay at farms, wineries, breweries, museums, golf courses, attractions, and other one-of-a-kind destinations while enjoying memorable travel experiences and the peace of mind that comes with knowing a safe place to stay is always nearby.
