Page 14 - RV Alaska

INTERIOR ALASKA
Nenana
In the indigenous Athabascan
language, the word nenana means
“a good place to camp between two
rivers.” So it follows that the little
village of Nenana, just over an hour
from Fairbanks along the George
Parks Highway, sits at the intersection
of the Nenana and Tanana Rivers.
At the confluence of two rivers and
a rail line, it served as the home port
for the old paddle-wheel riverboats
that traversed the Alaskan Interior.
While the last riverboat from that
era sits on display in Fairbanks, the
small township remains an active
supply center for smaller villages in
the area. Services in Alaska’s Interior
can be few and far between, which
makes Nenana the perfect jumping-
off point for all your activities in the
Interior. Gas stations, a general store,
gift shops, a post office, a library, a
few small clinics, and an RV park and
campground can all be found within
the city limits.
Despite having a population of only
around 361 people, Nenana has
quite a few interesting attractions
too. One of your first stops should
be the Alaska State Railroad
Museum, located inside the historic
Nenana Depot. In 1923, the Depot
commemorated the completion of
the rail line between Fairbanks and
Seward with President Warren G.
Harding driving in the final golden
spike. The museum is a great place
to learn about the history of Alaska’s
railroads and how they paved the way
for settlement long before there were
paved roads through the Interior.
Another must-visit is Coghill’s General
Store, which has been in operation
since 1916 and is still owned by the
same family. It’s the go-to place to
get supplies in Nenana - and pick up
some local knowledge, too.
Experience Alaska!
NENANA
RV Park & Campground
Military, Veterans & Extended Stay Discounts
TENT CAMPING RV CAMPING
45 Spaces Available (all pull-thru)
Pull-thru Size (18 x 62)
Room for Slideouts Shaded (Some)
Water Hookup • Electric Hookup 30 Amp
Propane for Sale Fire Pit • Laundry
Picnic Table at Site • Dump Station
Mini Store • Family & Pet Friendly
LOCAL ART & JEWELRY
FREE FOR GUESTS
Wi-Fi, Showers, Bike Rentals,
Mini Golf, Fishing Gear
210 E. 4TH ST, Nenana, AK 99760
Early May—End of September (weather permitting)
Call 907-888-5358
[email protected] - nenanacamping.com
Come and explore all the beautiful
animals that Alaska has to offer and
saddle up on our very own moose
named Lightning for a once and
lifetime photo opportunity!
• Custom souvenirs
“Ride the Lightning”
• Wild game jerky and snacks
• Trappers Tent
Open Seasonally May-Sept
Located Downtown just down from the Historic Railroad Depot
101 Front Street NENANA, ALASKA – The McMillan Family 425-275-7641
  DENALI VIEWPOINTS Roadside Stops and Park
Bus Adventures
Denali—North America’s tallest peak—
often plays hide-and-seek behind clouds,
but RVers cruising the Parks Highway
have several easy, pull-off-friendly spots
to catch stunning views without leaving
the rig far behind. When the weather
cooperates, these vantage points deliver
postcard-perfect panoramas. For even
closer, jaw-dropping encounters, hop
aboard a National Park Service bus.
Roadside Favorites Right
Off the Highway
The standout is Denali Viewpoint South
at Mile 135.2 on the George Parks
Highway in Denali State Park. This large,
paved pullout with interpretive signs,
viewing platforms, and telescopes offers
one of the clearest roadside vistas of the
mountain, roughly 40 miles away. Ample
parking easily fits big rigs (no RV size
limit), and right next door is Denali View
South Campground with nine primitive
sites if you want to linger. Just 0.2 miles
RV Tip: Private vehicles are restricted beyond Mile 15 on the park
road. Park at the large RV-friendly lots near the Denali entrance
and take the narrated bus or transit shuttle. Park campground
reservations fill early — book via ReserveAmerica.
farther north at Mile 135.4 is K’esugi Ken
Campground, which offers 32 sites with
electric hookups—perfect for RVers
seeking more amenities.
A short drive north, Denali Viewpoint
North at Mile 162.7 provides another
excellent angle with similar pullout
amenities and room for RVs. Both spots
are free to visit and perfect for a quick
photo stop or picnic.
Up Close on a Park Bus Tour
For the most dramatic views deep
inside Denali National Park & Preserve,
park your RV at the entrance-area
campgrounds or oversized lots near the
Denali Bus Depot (plenty of space for
big rigs) and board a narrated tour bus
or transit shuttle. Private vehicles are
restricted to the first 15 miles of the park
road, but buses continue deeper, offering
wildlife sightings and sweeping mountain
panoramas.
In 2026, continued road repairs limit
access to Mile 43 (East Fork River), but the
buses still deliver memorable scenery and
possible Denali sightings on clear days.
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