Upper Chatanika State Recreation Area is a 73-acre riverside campground located at Mile 39 of the Steese Highway, providing excellent access to outdoor recreation for travelers and weekend visitors from Fairbanks, Alaska. Situated along the scenic Chatanika River in the northern interior region, this state recreation site offers a pristine wilderness experience in Alaska's boreal landscape.
The facility features 24 developed campsites with no RV size restrictions, accommodating RVers of all sizes. Amenities include drinking water, latrines, picnic areas, and a boat launch. Visitors can pitch tents, picnic, and relax by the river.
Fishing enthusiasts will find excellent opportunities in the Chatanika River, while water recreation encompasses boating and paddling. The recreation area serves as a launching point for multi-day canoe and raft expeditions down the river, with trips concluding at the Lower Chatanika State Recreational Area along the Elliott Highway.
Upper Chatanika State Recreation Area attracts both highway travelers and local adventurers seeking to explore Alaska's beautiful interior waterways. The remote riverside setting offers accessible opportunities for fishing, boating, and river-based wilderness adventures.