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.
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.
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.