Lower Chatanika River State Recreation Area
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- YesAlso cabins
- Official site
- dnr.alaska.gov
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In Fairbanks North Star County, about 17 miles north of Fairbanks, Lower Chatanika River State Recreation Area covers about 560 acres.
The park supports fishing and picnicking. On the water side, there is a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites). If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.
Fees and passes
Per vehicle daily parking fee at developed units (typically $5), per-site/vehicle camping (typically $20) and boat-launch fees; many remote units and marine parks are free. Listed by unit in the statewide fee table.
Statewide fee rule from Alaska's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Alaska park passes
- Annual Day Use Parking Pass — $60. Day-use parking at most state parks for the calendar year (not Pillars/Eagle Rock boat launches, Arctic Valley, Eagle River Nature Center) Details
- Annual Boat Launch Pass — $150. Boat launch fees for the calendar year Details
- Disabled Veterans Camping Pass. Camping for qualifying disabled veterans Details
From the Alaska state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Camping
- Not required
- Booking system
- Reserve Alaska State Parks (reservealaskastateparks.com)
Campsites are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
See the park’s wording
The Lower Chatanika recreation area provides access to the Chatanika River and an abundance of recreational opportunities including: Camping, Fishing, Picnicking, Hiking, Berry Picking, Boating/Floating, ATV/Snowmachining, Ice Fishing, Dog Sledding, Night Sky Viewing, and Cross Country skiing to name a few.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
Olnes Pond Campground Whitefish Campground and boat launch
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Olnes Pond Cabinhttps://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspcabins/olnespondcabin.htm
Olnes Pond Cabin
Things to do
CampingFishingPicnicking
Trails
The Lower Chatanika recreation area provides access to the Chatanika River and an abundance of recreational opportunities including: Camping, Fishing, Picnicking, Hiking, Berry Picking, Boating/Floating, ATV/Snowmachining, Ice Fishing, Dog Sledding, Night Sky Viewing, and Cross Country skiing to name a few.
Boating and paddling
Whitefish Campground and boat launch
Fishing
The Lower Chatanika recreation area provides access to the Chatanika River and an abundance of recreational opportunities including: Camping, Fishing, Picnicking, Hiking, Berry Picking, Boating/Floating, ATV/Snowmachining, Ice Fishing, Dog Sledding, Night Sky Viewing, and Cross Country skiing to name a few.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
Water
- Boat ramp
Camping
- Tent camping
Lodging
- Cabins
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
ADA Facility - Yes
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- Mile 11 Elliott Highway
AK - Nearest town
- Fairbanks — about 17 mi north (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 65.0835, -147.7346
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
From the George Parks Hwy, this turns into the Robert Mitchell Expy, exit Steese Hwy, this will turn into the New Steese Hwy. Stay on Steese, this will turn into the Elliott Hwy. Located at milepost 11 of the Elliott Hwy. From the Richardson Hwy, exit Steese Hwy, this will turn into the New Steese Hwy. Stay on Steese, this will turn into the Elliott Hwy. Located at milepost 11 of the Elliott Hwy.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Alaska State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Alaska DNR ArcGIS 'ASP Park Boundary' layer (OpenData/Recreational_ParkBoundary MapServer/2, refreshed daily), with unit pages from the region 'List of Units' tabs
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology