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Alaska State Parks are more numerous than Alaska National Parks and have many more choices locations near road systems. They also often have more facilities and yet have the same fascinating variety of terrain. You'll find that each one has many benefits to offer.
Be sure you get the full information on each Alaska State Park at the headquarters, ranger stations, or other local area resource for the parks. They have brochures that will give you all the detailed information you need, to take advantage of the park's resources. It will also tell you what the park rules are for sanitation, safety, etc., so you don't accidentally cause yourself any difficulties. And if you are interested in hunting or fishing, you will always need to be aware of current regulations and have a proper Alaska fishing or hunting license. Alaska State Parks in the Northern Region: Northern Area Alaska State Park Office
Open year round
3700 Airport Way
Fairbanks, AK 99709-4613
907-451-2695
Chena State Recreation Area: How to Get There - Take the Steese Highway out of Fairbanks and turn onto Chena Hot Springs Road. The State Recreation area starts at about Mile 26 of that road. Features - This 250,000 acre recreation area has a lot to offer. It has 3 developed campgrounds, at mileposts 27, 39 and 43, with a total of 66 campsites. You can pitch a tent or take any size RV, but there are no dump stations or electric hook-ups. The do have drinking water and toilets. Daily camping fees are $10 and parking fees are $5. Where to Stay - OR you can park on river access roads and camp on sandbars at no cost. Campfires are allowed on sandbars, but be sure to remove all traces and take ALL garbage with you when you leave. DO camp ABOVE the high water mark or you might get wet. If you don't have a tent or camper of some type, there are seven public-use cabins, some much easier to reach than others. The nightly fees run from $20 to $50 depending on the location and season. There are also 3 shelters but these are designed for emergency use only. Trails to the cabins are color-coded so are easy to find. Things To Do - There are five summer hiking trails of different lengths and difficulties. You'll find four winter trails for snowmobiles, dogsleds, cross-country skiing, etc., and four trails for off-road vehicles, but the ground can be very muddy or swampy in summer and you may have to cross streams. Some trails are shared by foot-traffic and vehicles, so be alert. All trails are marked as to type of traffic allowed.  This Alaska State Park has a shooting range for practicing and you can also hunt and fish with valid licenses. Chena River is for sport fishing ONLY. But if you want some fresh fish for dinner, there are 4 ponds stocked with rainbow trout and arctic grayling. They are located along the Chena Hot Springs Road at mileposts 30, 42.8, 45.5 and 47.9. And along with that mouth-watering freshly grilled fish, you can add some wild greens, mushrooms or berries. Wherever you can find them in the park, you can pick them and make yourself a gourmet dinner. Just don't dig up any plants and don't pick the flowers—they would rather you leave them for the next visitors to enjoy. And if you are a water enthusiast, the Chena River, as it flows through this recreation area, is a rather mild river. With its Class I to II waters, you can do some rafting, canoeing or kayaking if that's your choice of watercraft. However, there are some low branches sweeping over the river and often can be log jams and other debris you'll have to avoid. So do be careful and wear life-vests—the water is awfully cold. And do all the sport fishing you want, while you're out there. If you arrive in the fall, the river may be too low for boating—it's also the time when bears are prowling the river banks looking for salmon. So be aware! You'll most likely spot wildlife while you're hiking, on the river, or camping, so keep your binoculars and camera ready. Though you don't often them, grizzlies and black bears frequent this park as much as moose, wolves, lynx, coyotes, beaver, otter, marten, mink, squirrels, porcupine, snowshoe hares, etc. Some animals are seen more in winter, some in summer. Just don't feed any of them and don't get too close. You'll also find a multitude and variety of bird species—waterfowl, songbirds, game birds and birds of prey. Alaska State Parks on the Kenai Peninsula-West: Alaska State Parks
Kenai Area Office
PO Box 1247
Soldotna AK 99669
907-262-5581
Captain Cook State Recreation Area: Most people never find this Park. You have to leave the Sterling Highway at Soldotna, drive through the town of Kenai and take the Kenai Spur Highway (which becomes the North Kenai Road), out to Milepost 36. Though a small area compared to most Alaska State Parks, the only fees are for the boat launch and daily parking at the picnic sites. Features: - Stormy Lake, Swanson River and the Cook Inlet Beach are the main features of this Park. There are a couple of picnic areas and a boat launch for the lake. Where To Stay: - Other than renting a place in Kenai, you can camp in a tent on the beach near the entrance to the park and there is a small campground just past Swanson River. If you have a boat, you can also reach a tent camping area on the far side of Stormy Lake. What To Do: - Beachcombing is always fun but do stay near the shore, even when the tide is out. Cook Inlet has the second highest tides in the world and they can move in fast. Or you can kayak, canoe or go boating on Stormy Lake. No lifeguard on duty, but there is a swimming beach on the lake--if you're brave enough for the cold waters. Canoeing and fishing for silver salmon and rainbows in Swanson River or rainbows and arctic char in the lake are also available and bow hunting is allowed in the area, all with proper licenses. There are also plenty of wildlife for viewing and photographing. If you go in winter, try ice fishing on the lake. There are also a few cross-country ski trails near the beach, and if the snow is deep enough, you can snowmobile. Alaska State Parks in the Western Region: Mat-Su/CR Alaska State Park Office
Open year round
Location: Mile 0.7 Bogard Road
Address: HC32 Box 6706, Wasilla AK 99654
907-745-3975
Denali State Park: Most people have heard of Denali National Park but they probably did not know there is also a Denali State Park. This 325,000 acre Park is on BOTH sides of the George Parks Highway, starting at Milepost 131.7 and ending at Milepost 169.2. On the west side of the Highway, it meets the boundaries of the National Park and on the east side of the Highway, it includes the mountain ridges that run along that side. Features: Along the Highway, it has a couple of good viewpoints of Mt. McKinley, a few campgrounds and trail-heads for three mountain trails that will give you some spectacular views of Mt. McKinley and the Alaska Range. Where To Stay: The Byers Lake Campground at Milepost 147, is the largest with 79 campsites. There is drinking water, toilets, picnic sites and a boat launch. You can even rent kayaks or canoes at the site since motorboats are not allowed on the lake. And you can purchase firewood if you don't have any. There are also three public-use cabins which they rent for $45 to $60 per night. There are an additional 49 campsites in other camping areas and all campsites rent for $10/night per campsite or per vehicle. There are also parking fees of $5/day. There are no other fees. There are also some local hotels in the area. What To Do: Because this is an undeveloped park and the trails may not be well-marked, it is suggested that you pick up USGS topographic maps before doing any backwoods exploring. Alaska USGS maps for Denali are Talkeetna C-1, C-2, and D-1, and Talkeetna Mountains, C-6 and D-6. They are available at the Visitor Contact Station for Denali State Park, at the Alaska Veterans Memorial, Mile 147.1, Parks Highway. If you do backcountry camping, take a backpack stove or build campfires on gravel bars in any of the three rivers - Chulitna, Susitna or Tokositna. And if you do camp out, be sure you pick up your bear-proof food canisters and USE them. This Park has the same population of wildlife that the National Park has, and you don't want any unexpected visits.
There are many Alaska State Parks and recreation areas that we haven't touched upon yet. This is but a sampling. But while we're on the subject of recreation, if you are a water enthusiast, how about some more information on Alaska rivers and other waterways... Return to Top of Alaska State Parks Page Return To Alaska Parks Page Return to Tips for Backwoods Alaska Vacations Home Page
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