Riley Creek
63.7334, -148.8940 · Park boundary: National Park Service
Riley Creek is a fairly wooded campground, with some screening between sites whenever possible. Most of the campground sites are open to either tent campers or vehicles / RVs. The proximity of Highway 3 means there is occasional traffic noise, but also means campers have all the conveniences and amenities of the park entrance area, and businesses outside the park, close at hand. Trails leading from the campground connect to the Denali Visitor Center, which is the central hub of trails in the entrance area.
- Every day
- All Day
Open year-round. Camping is free except in summer, which runs from early- to mid-May until mid-September. Check-in / out is 11 am in summer. Spring visitors take note: The yearly goal is turn on the dump / fill station and water spigots in Riley on May 15 each year. However, weather can delay that date. Drinking fountains and water bottle refilling stations are at the Murie Science and Learning Center (open 9:30 am—5 pm daily). Fall, winter and spring: Only 1 loop of the campground is open.
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Camping is free in winter. The winter season begins fifteen days after Labor Day each September, and lasts through early May each year.
Some sites can accommodate RVs up to 40' in length. These sites cost a bit more per night than the smaller sites, which can accommodate vehicles no larger than 30' long.
These sites can accommodate vehicles up to 30' long. If you have a truck and trailer, the total combined length must be less than 30' to use one of these sites.
The tent-only sites at Riley are first-come, first-served, meaning they cannot be purchased before you physically arrive in the park. These sites do not have parking at them, you must park elsewhere and walk into these sites.
A group site at Riley Creek Campground has space for up to 12 tents. The group site can only be used by non-commercial groups (including groups like Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America, etc). There are no fire rings at the site, and tents must be set up on the established tent pads.
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Summer reservations are strongly recommended. In winter (mid-September through early May each year), reservations are not necessary. The winter season starts roughly 2 weeks and a day after the Labor Day holiday. Group campsites: Independent visitors and non-profit organizations may use group campsites by simply making a reservation. For-profit businesses must apply for a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) from the NPS to use a group campsite at Savage River Campground (note: only private parties and non-profit organizations may use the group site at Riley Creek Campground). For-profits may make a group site reservation while simultaneously acquiring a permit/CUA from the NPS. To make group campsite reservations, please call 800-622-7275. Please note, the only first-come/first-serve sites in this campground are for tent camping.
- Amphitheater
- Yes - seasonal
- Camp store
- Yes - seasonal
- Cell reception
- Yes - year round
- Drinking water
- Yes - seasonal
- Dump station
- Yes - seasonal
- Firewood for sale
- Yes - seasonal
- Food storage lockers
- Yes - year round
- Host on site
- Yes - seasonal
- Ice for sale
- Yes - seasonal
- Internet
- Yes - seasonal
- Laundry
- Yes - seasonal
- Showers
- Hot - Seasonal
- Toilets
- Flush Toilets - seasonal · Vault Toilets - year round
- Trash & recycling
- Yes - year round
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
- RVs
- Allowed · up to 40 ft
- Trailers
- Allowed · up to 40 ft
- Access roads
- Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather
- Classification
- Limited Development Campground
Several sites are designated as wheelchair-accessible. Several campground restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Pathways between campsites are generally well-compacted gravel, with very moderate grades.
Ranger programs occur in summer and can be presented with American Sign Language if you request it in advance. Area pathways and restrooms are wheelchair accessible (see wheelchair access section for more details).
You may have fires year-round in the designated fire grates. If you cook on your fire, please be sure to totally burn off any food residue to avoid attracting animals. Please burn only wood in the fire grates. You're welcome to collect dead and downed wood, but please do not cut any standing wood, even if it is dead.
All campgrounds have recycling collection containers for aluminum cans, glass, plastic jugs and bottles (#1 and #2), and plastic containers #5.
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Take Highway 3 from Fairbanks or Anchorage to reach the park. At Mile 237 on the highway, turn west into Denali. Drive a quarter-mile and look for signs on your left for Riley Creek Campground.
Summer weather is typically cool and rainy, with highs averaging in the upper 50s F and lows in the upper 40s F. Warm weather can occur, with max highs around 80 occasionally possible. Snow can fall any month of the year, particularly from late August through early May. Midwinter temperatures can reach as cold as -40, though typical winter lows are around -20.
Quiet hours are between 10 pm and 6 am. Generators may only be operated from 8 am to 10 am, and 4 pm to 8 pm. Keep all food and scented items (e.g., toothpaste, sunscreen, ice chests/coolers, etc.) in your hard-sided vehicle, if available. If you are tent-camping without a vehicle, use the food lockers found throughout the campground. Label and date your items in the food locker. Keep a clean camp and wash your dishes immediately. Fire. Fires are allowed only in established grates. Wood may be purchased at the Riley Creek Mercantile. Use of power saws and cutting of live vegetation or standing deadwood are prohibited. Do not leave your campfire unattended. Do not cook on fire- use foil, and immediately dispose of it after cooking. Pets. Pets are welcome. Dispose of pet feces in garbage cans. Secure pet food in your vehicle or a food locker.
Drive to Riley Creek
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