Lower Chatanika State Recreation Area

About

Lower Chatanika State Recreation Area sits in Alaska's Interior about 30 minutes north of Fairbanks along the Elliott Highway. The 400-acre recreation area features two distinct camping areas: Olnes Pond Campground at mile 10.5 with 15 campsites surrounding a peaceful 16-acre pond stocked with Rainbow Trout and Arctic Grayling, and Whitefish Campground at mile 11 with 25 sites providing boat launch access to the Chatanika River. The Whitefish boat launches are popular with hunters accessing Minto Flats via the Chatanika River. Both campgrounds offer potable water, toilets, picnic sites, and refuse disposal during the operating season. A reservable picnic shelter is available at each location, and Olnes Pond also has a public-use cabin available for reservation. Recreational opportunities abound year-round including camping, fishing, picnicking, hiking, berry picking, boating, ATV and snowmachine use, ice fishing, dog sledding, night sky viewing, and cross-country skiing. The maximum camping stay is 15 days. Winter maintenance is not provided at Whitefish Campground.

Directions

From Fairbanks, take the Steese Highway north which becomes the Elliott Highway. Olnes Pond Campground is at mile 10.5 and Whitefish Campground is at mile 11. From George Parks Highway, take Robert Mitchell Expressway to Steese Highway and continue to Elliott Highway.