Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site

3.75

23 reviews

3700 Airport Way, Fairbanks, Alaska, 99709, United States

Quick Facts

2,005 ft

Price

$20 - $40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Information unavaila...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Direct Line site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

2,005 ft

Price

$20 - $40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Information unavaila...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Direct Line site

Official Website

Get Directions

Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site

$20.00 - $40.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The fee ranges from $20 for tent sites to $40 for reserving the public use cabin. Tent sites are first-come, first-serve, while the cabin can be...

Standard Site Fee$20.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

3.75

Mixed Reviews

Based on 23 reviews

19 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanrestroomssites

"Overall, user experiences at Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site are mixed. Positive feedback highlights the scenic views, wildlife presence, and relative seclusion. Common complaints revolve around poor road conditions, lack of trash facilities, and non-functional amenities like the water pump."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

3700 Airport Way, Fairbanks, Alaska, 99709, United States

Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site

3700 Airport Way, Fairbanks, Alaska, 99709, United States

Driving directionsDonnelly Creek State Recreation Site is 32 miles south of Delta Junction at mile 238 of the Richardson Highway.

Roads leading to the campground are poorly maintained, with some user reviews mentioning issues such as a sizable sinkhole near the entrance and difficult campground roads that need repairs.

Nearby places

Delta Junction (32 miles south), Fairbanks (approximately 100 miles north)

Nearby supplies

Supplies for essentials like groceries, camping gear, and fuel are likely available in Delta Junction.

Best Time to Camp at Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site

The dramatic seasonal transformation at Donnelly Creek showcases Alaska's climatic extremes. Winter's fierce grip brings bone-chilling temperatures and frequent snowfall, creating a crystalline wonderland for the hardiest souls. As spring reluctantly gives way to summer, the landscape awakens under cold but increasingly dry skies. Peak camping season arrives from mid-June through late August, when moderate temperatures unlock the region's full splendor—wildflowers bloom, wildlife emerges, and endless daylight bathes the mountains in golden alpenglow.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer reviews note blueberries, abundant wildlife and good vistas; generally positive.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.5 / 5

Likely good views and solitude in fall; fewer explicit review data than summer.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Spring transitions likely messy (thaw); limited explicit info in reviews.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.5 / 5

Stunning snowy views reported but harsh conditions and limited services lower practicality.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Information unavailable. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Information unavailable
Current Alerts: None explicitly mentioned.

About Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site

Nestled in Alaska's untamed wilderness, Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site offers adventurers a rare glimpse into the raw beauty of the Last Frontier. This remote sanctuary along the braided Delta River provides 12 pristine campsites where the towering Alaska Range dominates the horizon. Beyond standard amenities like vault toilets and hand-pumped drinking water, the campground features a cozy public use cabin for those seeking shelter from the elements. Here, where grizzly bears occasionally wander through camp and alpine wildflowers paint the landscape, visitors discover an authentic Alaskan wilderness experience far from the crowds.

Donnelly Creek Recreation Site is a versatile campground offering options for tent camping, RVs, and a public-use cabin. It operates primarily on a first-come, first-served basis for tent sites, but the cabin can be reserved online.

Historical SignificanceDonnelly Creek sits at the crossroads of Alaska's rich cultural tapestry, where the timeless Delta River has carved both landscape and history. This gateway to the Alaska Range has long served as a corridor for indigenous peoples, early explorers, and modern adventurers alike. Today's visitors follow in the footsteps of countless generations who have been drawn to these mountains, experiencing the same awe-inspiring vistas and connecting with the enduring spirit of Alaska's frontier heritage.

Weather and SeasonsThe dramatic seasonal transformation at Donnelly Creek showcases Alaska's climatic extremes. Winter's fierce grip brings bone-chilling temperatures and frequent snowfall, creating a crystalline wonderland for the hardiest souls. As spring reluctantly gives way to summer, the landscape awakens under cold but increasingly dry skies. Peak camping season arrives from mid-June through late August, when moderate temperatures unlock the region's full splendor—wildflowers bloom, wildlife emerges, and endless daylight bathes the mountains in golden alpenglow.

ElevationPerched at the edge of Alaska's interior highlands, the campground occupies a strategic position where river valley meets mountain majesty, though specific elevation details await future documentation.

Natural Features and SceneryThe braided channels of the Delta River create an ever-changing tapestry of gravel bars and rushing water, while the Alaska Range erupts skyward in a dramatic wall of snow-capped peaks. This dynamic landscape supports a remarkable diversity of alpine plant communities, from delicate Arctic poppies to hardy dwarf willows. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound—massive moose browse the willows at dawn, grizzly bears fish the river channels, porcupines waddle through the underbrush, industrious beavers engineer the waterways, and snowshoe hares bound across the tundra, their coats changing with the seasons.

Geological RegionDonnelly Creek occupies a spectacular position in Northern Alaska's interior, where the braided Delta River has carved its serpentine path through ancient glacial deposits. This dynamic landscape showcases the raw power of geological forces, with some of the Alaska Range's most imposing peaks—sculpted by millennia of tectonic uplift and glacial erosion—creating a backdrop of unparalleled grandeur. The interplay between river, mountain, and sky forms a living geological textbook that captivates both casual observers and earth science enthusiasts.

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Information unavailable

Check-out

Information unavailable

Stay Limit

Information unavailable

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 3 people allowed per site.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutThe campground consists of 12 sites arranged in a loop. There is a long dike protecting the Richardson Highway nearby which provides wind protection.

Reservation PlatformsReservations for the cabin can be made online, while tent sites are first-come-first-serve.

Walk-in AvailabilityTent sites are available on a first-come-first-serve basis; typically there are spots available even in the evening according to reviews.

Cancellation PolicyInformation unavailable

AccessibilityVault toilets are described as accessible, but no further details about overall campground accessibility are provided.

Site SizeThe maximum RV length allowed is 30 feet, which could be restrictive for larger vehicles. A user review states, 'We are 29 feet and it was very hard to find a site that fit us.

PrivacyNo specific mention of site privacy, but the campground is described as 'secluded' and 'seldom crowded,' suggesting a fair level of privacy.

Total Campsites12 campsites

Recommended SitesFor campers with larger RVs (over 29 feet), finding a suitable site may be challenging due to size constraints.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Lodging and accommodations

Vault toilets

Cabin Lodging

Activities you can enjoy

Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site offers several outdoor activities suitable for nature enthusiasts. Official sources emphasize hiking, birding, and blueberry picking as key attractions. The campground is also a good base for exploring the Alaska Mountain Range.

HikingHiking opportunities are available, with scenic views of the Alaska Range. A user highlights, 'Walking along the "dike" will give you many great vantages of the mountains.'

BikingMountain biking is mentioned as an available activity, but no additional details are provided about trails or terrain.

Wildlife viewingThe area is rich in wildlife, including moose, bears, porcupines, beavers, snowshoe hares, various bird species, and occasionally caribou. 'The Delta bison herd can often be seen across the Delta River on their summer calving grounds.'

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsOccasional grizzly bears visit the campground, requiring safe storage of food. Roads within the campground are poorly maintained, including hazards such as sinkholes.

Active AlertsNone explicitly mentioned.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyCampfires are permitted within designated rings.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Information unavailable

Emergency ServicesEmergency services are likely located in Delta Junction, the nearest population center.

Trash & RecyclingTrash collection facilities are mentioned in official sources, but user reviews report their absence ('No bins for trash'). Campers should plan to pack out their waste.

Water FeaturesLocated near the braided Delta River and Donnelly Creek. Beavers have dammed up sections of Donnelly Creek, which can be explored.

Camp HostHost information is not explicitly mentioned.

Weather at Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site

Reviews

3.8

23 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, user experiences at Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site are mixed. Positive feedback highlights the scenic views, wildlife presence, and relative seclusion. Common complaints revolve around poor road conditions, lack of trash facilities, and non-functional amenities like the water pump.

Review Summaries

Based on 23 reviews

What Campers Love

1. 'Grand view of the Alaska Range across the Delta River.' 2. 'Great place to enjoy a weekend.' 3. 'Campsites and restrooms were clean.'

Based on 23 reviews

Common Concerns

1. Poorly maintained roads ('The road in the camp ground in real bad. Needs a lot of work on it.'). 2. Lack of trash bins and a functional water pump ('No trash or water here.'). 3. Difficulty...

Based on 23 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

1. Bring your own water and trash bags due to missing facilities. 2. Consider reserving the cabin online if you prefer guaranteed lodging. 3. Arrive early to secure a tent site as they operate on a...

Based on 23 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews often mention the abundance of blueberries and wildlife, while issues with road conditions and amenities are consistent across seasons.

Based on 23 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'The Donnelly Creek Rec Site has a grand view of the Alaska Range across the Delta River.' 2. 'Even though this campground is right off the highway, it has some awesome views of the snow capped...

Based on 23 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

The public use cabin, '127 - Donnelly Cabin,' is highlighted as being reservable online. Tent sites are first-come, first-served and reportedly plentiful in the evening.

Based on 23 reviews

Accessibility Features

Vault toilets are noted as accessible, but no further details about accessibility features are available.

Based on 23 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed at the campground. There are no reviews specifically addressing pet-related experiences.

Based on 23 reviews

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Last updated February 17, 2026

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Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site