Community Forums

ianschneider · 12-01-2018, 09:23 AM

The reservation site has sites for arrives between 30 - 40 ft. If your at 40ish can you get into the sites okay - Also 13’4” tall.

Thanks

twogypsies · 12-01-2018, 02:01 PM

Absolutely no problem. We spent 5 nights there with our 40'. You will be able to park your toad vehicle at a designated spot near the front campground, Riley Creek. The road there is good with no tree issues - mostly open.

This and the July 4 weekend were the only reservations we made for our all-summer Alaska trip. (Alaskans like to camp, too.) We only made those when we were traveling closer to the two destinations - about 3 weeks prior - when we could better judge when we'd be there. On this trip you never know if you'll have weather, road or vehicle issues so making reservations far in advance really throws things off. Pull into campgrounds early afternoon and you'll get sites without reservations. There are beautiful boondocking spots along the way in view of mountains, streams and lakes.

As it turned out, we were in the area of Denali earlier than expected so on a whim we boondocked at a lovely spot nearby and early morning we pulled into Denali and easily secured an additional 5 nights in Riley Creek campground. With 10 nights in the park we saw THE mountain in full glory 7 of 10 days. Some folks never see the mountain. There is plenty to do in both areas. The park is HUGE. We also saw every one of the big animals living in the park - many times.

For Teklanika, try to be at the opening gate early morning to get a good site for your 40'. Once at the gate for Teklanika you'll still have a drive on a very good gravel road to get there. Some folks will be leaving the campground early morning so those are the sites you'll get.

Be sure to get your TEK bus pass previous to driving to the campground. It will allow you to ride the bus as often as you want. One time we took the whole ride to Wonder Lake. Other times we just went to Eileson Visitor Center. Others we'd ride a couple hours either early morning or late afternoon. Those are the times we saw most animals. The bus drivers are very knowledgeable; can spot the animals wonderfully, and will stop the bus often to let you take picture. We even got off the bus for about an hour to walk along the road - very peaceful in this large expanse. We just waved down the next bus coming along. Easy to do.

Enjoy your stay! It's an awesome experience.

The Anchorage area will now have a lot of road construction due to the recent earthquake and it's now winter - not good.

ianschneider · 12-02-2018, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Absolutely no problem. We spent 5 nights there with our 40'. You will be able to park your toad vehicle at a designated spot near the front campground, Riley Creek. The road there is good with no tree issues - mostly open.

This and the July 4 weekend were the only reservations we made for our all-summer Alaska trip. (Alaskans like to camp, too.) We only made those when we were traveling closer to the two destinations - about 3 weeks prior - when we could better judge when we'd be there. On this trip you never know if you'll have weather, road or vehicle issues so making reservations far in advance really throws things off. Pull into campgrounds early afternoon and you'll get sites without reservations. There are beautiful boondocking spots along the way in view of mountains, streams and lakes.

As it turned out, we were in the area of Denali earlier than expected so on a whim we boondocked at a lovely spot nearby and early morning we pulled into Denali and easily secured an additional 5 nights in Riley Creek campground. With 10 nights in the park we saw THE mountain in full glory 7 of 10 days. Some folks never see the mountain. There is plenty to do in both areas. The park is HUGE. We also saw every one of the big animals living in the park - many times.

For Teklanika, try to be at the opening gate early morning to get a good site for your 40'. Once at the gate for Teklanika you'll still have a drive on a very good gravel road to get there. Some folks will be leaving the campground early morning so those are the sites you'll get.

Be sure to get your TEK bus pass previous to driving to the campground. It will allow you to ride the bus as often as you want. One time we took the whole ride to Wonder Lake. Other times we just went to Eileson Visitor Center. Others we'd ride a couple hours either early morning or late afternoon. Those are the times we saw most animals. The bus drivers are very knowledgeable; can spot the animals wonderfully, and will stop the bus often to let you take picture. We even got off the bus for about an hour to walk along the road - very peaceful in this large expanse. We just waved down the next bus coming along. Easy to do.

Enjoy your stay! It's an awesome experience.

The Anchorage area will now have a lot of road construction due to the recent earthquake and it's now winter - not good.

TwoGypsies - Thanks so much for the detailed response. Very helpful. So if we’re going to be in the area in mid/late July, no reason to make a reservation until a few weeks out or should we do it now.

twogypsies · 12-02-2018, 04:10 PM

Ugh..... I just realized you were asking about Riley Creek campground. I gave info on Teklanika. So sorry..... but perhaps you may change plans to Teklanika.

Mid-late July is good for a 3 week lead for reservations. We were in Riley Creek July 23; Teklanika July 28.

ianschneider · 12-05-2018, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Ugh..... I just realized you were asking about Riley Creek campground. I gave info on Teklanika. So sorry..... but perhaps you may change plans to Teklanika.

Mid-late July is good for a 3 week lead for reservations. We were in Riley Creek July 23; Teklanika July 28.

okay. So you did stay at Riley? 40 ft okay?

twogypsies · 12-05-2018, 04:25 PM

Yes, we stayed 5 nights in Riley Creek with our 40' MH and 5 nights in Teklanika. We had a wonderful large site in Riley Creek at the curve of a loop and toward the rear of the campground, as I recall. Most of my original post was about Teklanika, i.e., the TEK pass. For Riley Creek you can also purchase the bus pass but it's not called the TEK pass. You can also purchase a organized bus tour with a commercial operator. The only differences is that it costs more and they give you a box lunch. We packed a small cooler. They also don't stop as much as the other buses because they're on a strict schedule.

hoosierrun · 12-05-2018, 04:33 PM

Should be no problem if you get there about 10:00 AM to noon (or shortly there after). At Riley, there are 2 categories of spots. One is for up to about 25 to 30 feet and the other is up to 40 feet (your size). The problem is, not all are equal. Some are slanted and some have tight clearance. But there are a number that are very good. They don't assign spots so it is first come, first serve. I think check out is 1:00 PM, so those looking for good spots start circling the campgrounds before checkout in hopes of claiming a good spot. Enjoy your visit... it is a wonderful place in good weather.

ianschneider · 12-06-2018, 07:20 AM

Very helpful info!

Superslif · 12-06-2018, 06:36 PM

Quote:

For Teklanika, try to be at the opening gate early morning to get a good site for your 40'. Once at the gate for Teklanika you'll still have a drive on a very good gravel road to get there. Some folks will be leaving the campground early morning so those are the sites you'll get.

Riley Creek is like a normal national park campground. Where as Tek (Teklanika) is 29 miles inside the park, and you get true Denali experience. I liked Tek because the end of the two loops butts up to the river with ever changing gravel bars. A true Alaskan experience. I really liked walking along the river on all the paths. I think we were there the same time as twogypies back in 2016.

Tek Campground Pictures Below ( the last picture is about mile marker 60. Over the next ridge is the Eileson Visitor Center at mile 65.)