Alaska State Parks · Alaska
Upper Chatanika River State Recreation Site
Alaska State Parks · Alaska, United States
- Sites
- 24
- Hookups
- 24 no hookups
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- No
- Dump station
- No
- Laundry
- No
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 807 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Nearest town
- Fairbanks
- Address
- Mi. 39 Steese Hwy.
Season dates aren't confirmed for this campground yet - opening and closing dates haven't been verified. Check the operator's page or call ahead before you plan a trip.
Site map
The imagery of the campground. Press and hold the map to drop your own pins and notes; the operator publishes no site points here. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.
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About
Upper Chatanika River State Recreation Site is an Alaska State Park campground with 24 sites near Fairbanks. First-come, first-served - no reservations. Alaska State Parks' own campground directory states: "ALL CAMPGROUNDS ARE FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED AND CANNOT BE RESERVED" except where noted otherwise.
Fees
$20 per night (dnr.alaska.gov, no flat statewide rate - fees range $20-$35/night system-wide). Rustic/dry camping - no electric or water hookups (Alaska State Parks campgrounds statewide have none: "Showers and flushing bathroom facilities are not available. Outhouses are provided," per dnr.alaska.gov/parks/faq.htm). Pets are allowed at Alaska State Parks, subject to statewide policy: "Pets are welcome at state parks and campgrounds if leashed and accompanied by the owner at all times; unleashed dogs are allowed in the backcountry but must be within voice command." (dnr.alaska.gov/parks/faq.htm, confirmed live.)
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9° | 0° | -36° | 35° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 13° | 1° | -30° | 38° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 11° | -2° | -23° | 45° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 38° | 24° | -16° | 47° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 57° | 39° | 28° | 72° | 3 of 11 |
| June | 67° | 52° | 40° | 80° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 68° | 56° | 47° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 61° | 51° | 40° | 76° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 55° | 43° | 35° | 62° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 32° | 21° | -2° | 47° | 9 of 10 |
| November | 12° | 3° | -19° | 32° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 11° | -1° | -28° | 41° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Trails nearby
- McKay Creek Trailhead · 3.5 mi as the crow flies
McKay Creek Trail 17 mi Hike · Drive there
All 326 trails in BLM lands in Alaska
Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map, within 10 miles as the crow flies; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.
Nearby campgrounds
- Ophir Creek Campground · Bureau of Land Management · 13 mi · 20 sites
- Ophir Creek Campground · Bureau of Land Management · 13 mi
- Whitefish Campground & Boat Launch · Alaska State Parks · 15 mi · 25 sites
- Olnes Pond Campground · Alaska State Parks · 16 mi · 15 sites
- White Mountains National Recreation Area - Alaska Cabins · Bureau of Land Management · 16 mi · 15 sites
All public campgrounds in Alaska · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-08-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.