Public land camping

Camping in Alaska

238 federal places to camp in Alaska, from Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service, on the land they sit on.

Denali Highway, Alaska

238
federal places to camp: 210 Forest Service, 17 Bureau of Land Management, 8 National Park Service, 3 Fish and Wildlife Service; 907
campsites you can book ahead: At the 224 places that take reservations on Recreation.gov. 5 more are first come, first served; 2,818 ft
the highest you can drive to: Tangle Lakes Campground; 20
counties with federal camping: 23 gateway towns, each with three or more within 30 miles

Every federal campground in Alaska

238 places

Camping rules worth knowing in Alaska

Only three Denali campgrounds take a vehicle: Riley Creek at Mile 0.25, Savage River at Mile 14 and Teklanika River at Mile 29 are the campgrounds where people may camp with RVs and other vehicles; Sanctuary River at Mile 22, Igloo Creek at Mile 35 and Wonder Lake at Mile 85 are not. Teklanika requires a minimum three-night stay if you drive to it, which is the park’s way of limiting traffic beyond the public road. Source 17
The White Mountains are a million acres with three campgrounds: The White Mountains National Recreation Area covers a million acres with three campgrounds, 13 public use cabins, two trail shelters and 250 miles of groomed winter trail. Summer access is on foot along the Summit Trail at mile 28 of the Elliott Highway, and Nome Creek is reached from US Creek Road at mile 57 of the Steese. It is the closest real backcountry to Fairbanks. Source 29
Camping on state land: 14 days, then move two miles: Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources publishes a list of uses generally allowed on state land without a permit. Camping for personal, non-commercial recreation is allowed for no more than 14 days at one site, using a tent or another temporary structure that can be taken down and removed, and moving the entire camp at least two miles starts a new 14-day period. Cabins and permanent improvements are never allowed. Dead and down wood may be used for a cooking or warming fire unless the department has closed the area to fires. The list does not cover state parks or land held by other state agencies. Source 45

The full guide to overlanding Alaska

By agency

Campground records: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), read September 19, 2026. Elevations: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Fees, seasons and limits change; confirm with the managing office before you go.

Camping in Alaska

The Alaska campground map

Camping near a town

Every federal campground in Alaska

Camping rules worth knowing in Alaska

By agency

By county