State: Alaska
Short Name: Teklanika River Campground
Address 1: Denali National Park
Open: Open from late May through mid Sep
Number of Sites: 53
Camp URL: http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/campground-tek.htm
Full Hook: Yes
National Park: 117
Teklanika River Campground
The farthest point to which you can drive an RV
Teklanika (“Tek”) River Campground is at mile 29 on the Park Road. The second largest campground in Denali, it offers 53 sites for RVs and tents.
You may tent camp at Tek, or camp with a vehicle / RV. Staying at Tek with a vehicle requires some extra planning and attention to detail. Please read through this page thoroughly.
What to expect in Tek
Though nearly all private vehicles must turn around at mile 15, Savage River, Tek campers are an exception to that rule. If you wish, you may drive your vehicle / RV to Tek. The trade-off is that you must make, at minimum, a three-night stay, and your vehicle must stay in your campsite for the duration of your stay. Your vehicle can only leave your campsite when you are ready to travel back to the park entrance.
If you are tent camping, you may wish to use the camper bus to access the campground. If you arrive in Tek via bus, rather than your own vehicle, there is no minimum number of nights you must stay.
No campground in Denali has electrical or water hookups for RVs. Tek does have potable water, but no shower or laundry facilities.
Tek is a forested campground, with some screening between sites. Much of the surrounding area is brushy and wet, although the Tek River is braided and offers an easy, gravel surface for hiking. Be cautious if you choose to cross the Tek, and keep an eye out for wildlife closures in the area.
Tek is the only campground in Denali where red squirrels live alongside ground squirrels. Other small animals, like snowshoe hares and gray jays, are common. Larger animals, like grizzly bears, moose and caribou are occasionally seen. Such animals are more commonly seen along the Tek River itself, which is both a good wildlife travel corridor and comparatively less brushy.
How to experience the park from Tek – the Tek Pass
Campers at Tek are encouraged to purchase a “Tek Pass.”
The Tek Pass should be purchased for each member of your party. It allows you to use the park shuttle buses throughout your stay at Tek Campground, for the price of just one trip.
When you purchase a Tek Pass, you will select the first day you wish to use it (likely your first or second day in the campground), and will select a specific bus for that day. This bus of your choosing will have guaranteed seats for you, on the day and time you chose. On subsequent days during your time at Tek, you may use any shuttle bus, boarding at your campground on a space-available basis.
All shuttles begin their trip into the park with two empty seats, and many shuttles do not run at maximum capacity – so while Tek campers sometimes find a full shuttle, and must wait for the next, such occasions are rare, especially for small parties.
The Tek Pass is designed for you to experience points farther in the park during your stay. Therefore, the pass only allows you to travel farther into the park, and back to Tek. If you return to the park entrance by bus, you will have to buy a new shuttle bus ticket to travel back to Tek Campground. Do not return to the park entrance, by bus or your own vehicle, until you are finished with your stay at Tek.
Campground regulations
Necessities. Restrooms can be found throughout the campground. Potable water is available at spigots throughout the campground. All sites have a picnic table and fire grate (see below).
Be courteous. Quiet hours are between 10 pm and 6 am. Generators may only be operated from 8 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 8 pm. There are no exceptions to these rules.
Wildlife & food storage. Keep all food and scented items (e.g., toothpaste, sunscreen, ice chests/coolers, etc.) in your hard-sided vehicle. If you are tent-camping without a vehicle, use the food lockers found throughout the campground. Label and date your items in the food locker. Keep a clean camp and wash your dishes immediately.
Fire. Fires are allowed only in established grates. Wood may be purchased at the Riley Creek Mercantile. Use of power saws and cutting of live vegetation or standing deadwood are prohibited. Do not leave your campfire unattended. Do not cook on fire grates – use foil, and immediately dispose of it after cooking.
Pets. Pets are welcome at Tek. Dispose of pet feces in garbage cans. Secure pet food in your vehicle or a food locker. Pets are not allowed on buses.
Tow vehicles. Because you are traveling farther into the park via personal vehicle than is normally allowed, you may only tow a vehicle to Tek if the towed vehicle is integral to your camping experience (e.g., a pickup truck towing your camper). All other towed vehicles and trailers must be left at the RV parking lot of the Denali Visitor Center.
-NPS.gov
