Chena River State Recreation Area

Open — Open year-round with reservations available via ReserveAmerica. Winter activities including snowmachining, cross-country skiing, and dog mushing are popular from mid-October to mid-April. Camping is limited to 15 consecutive days.

About

Chena River State Recreation Area is a 254,080-acre year-round recreation area located east of Fairbanks along Chena Hot Springs Road. The park encompasses 397 square miles of diverse terrain including boreal forests, the clear-flowing Chena River, and alpine tundra. Three developed campgrounds serve visitors: Rosehip Campground at milepost 27, Granite Tors Trail Campground at milepost 39, and Red Squirrel Campground at milepost 43. All campgrounds accommodate both tent campers and RVs up to 40 feet. The recreation area offers exceptional hiking with trails ranging from the 3.5-mile Angel Rocks Trail to the challenging 29-mile Chena Dome Trail that circles the Angel Creek drainage above timberline. The 15-mile Granite Tors Trail leads to towering rock outcroppings up to 100 feet high on the Plain of Monuments. The Chena River provides Class I-II paddling opportunities with multiple access points along Chena Hot Springs Road. Fishing is catch-and-release only for arctic grayling in the river, while stocked ponds at mileposts 30, 42.8, 45.5, and 47.9 allow harvest. Winter transforms the recreation area into a premier destination for cold-weather activities. The park features groomed cross-country ski trails at Twin Bears Camp, over 26 miles of the historic Chena Hot Springs Winter Trail used by the Yukon Quest sled dog race, and designated snowmachine trails throughout the northern sections. Eight reservable public use cabins provide winter overnight accommodations accessible by ski, snowmachine, or dog sled. Wildlife viewing opportunities year-round include moose, black and grizzly bears, wolves, lynx, and numerous bird species.

Directions

From Fairbanks, take Parks Highway or Richardson Highway to Steese Highway, then turn onto Chena Hot Springs Road. Campgrounds are located at mileposts 27, 39, and 43.

Nearby Campgrounds