Sanctuary River
63.7226, -149.4737 · Park boundary: National Park Service
Open in summer only (May 20 to mid-September). Sanctuary River is a heavily wooded campground, with screening between most sites. The immediate area is brushy, but nearby mountains offer chances to hike directly from the campground and gain elevation, with views of Mount McKinley to the south possible on clear days, after some strenuous up-hill hiking. Sanctuary is tent-only—you will not find any RVs or other vehicles in this campground. It is accessible only by camper bus.
- Every day
- All Day
Check-in/out is 11 am each day. You do not need to leave the park by 11 am, just be sure to have your campsite packed up by then. Open in summer only (see exceptions, below, for details).
- Closed in winter · Sep 11, 2026 – May 19, 2027 · Closed
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
This is the cost for one campsite for one night. Three tents and up to eight people may use a single site. You may stay up to 14 total nights in a given summer.
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Reservations are recommended. Five sites can be reserved in advance; two sites are held for walk-ins and can only be booked in person, no more than two days in advance, at the Riley Creek Mercantile or Denali Bus Depot. Group campsites are not available at Sanctuary Campground; larger groups of 9–20 people should consider staying at Riley Creek or Savage River Campgrounds.
- Food storage lockers
- Yes - year round
- Toilets
- Vault Toilets - seasonal
- Trash & recycling
- Yes - seasonal
- Amphitheater
- No
- Camp store
- No
- Cell reception
- No
- Drinking water
- No water
- Dump station
- No
- Firewood for sale
- No
- Host on site
- No
- Ice for sale
- No
- Internet
- No
- Laundry
- No
- Showers
- None
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
- RVs
- Not allowed
- Trailers
- Not allowed
- Access roads
- Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather
- Classification
- Primitive Camping Areas
Campground paths and sites are generally flat, compact surfaces. Some areas of mud or obstacles such as tree roots may be present.
There are no ADA-specific campsites.
Fires are prohibited at this campground. Bring a cook-stove for your meals.
There is no potable water at this campground. Bring a filter or boil water that you pull from the nearby river. 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
Summers are generally cool and wet, though periods of dry, warm (~ 75 F) weather are possible. Bring a sleeping bag rated to at least 20 F. Snow can fall any month of the year, though it is rare in June and July.
Drive to Sanctuary River
Byway plans the scenic way in — real places, real weather, every stop verified. Zero hallucinations. Google Maps for turns. Byway for soul.