Talkeetna Boat Launch & Campground

This is a go-to RV spot for the budget camper. There are no hookups, but it is affordable and a walkable distance to Talkeetna's charming downtown and bustling airport. It's mostly a large dirt lot with some dispersed sites in the trees for those who looking for more privacy, but we opted to unhitch next to the river for fishing and better solar gain. Prepare for a cacophony of airplane noise as you're directly under the flight path of all the flight seeing tours taking off for Mt. McKinley. However, airplane noise is just part of the Talkeetna experience. Also, you'll need AT&T for any reliable cell/data service.

This is a great spot for a campground and it could be a very nice campground if the owner took more of an interest in it. We had a lovely spot right beside the Talkeetna River and the campground is close to almost all the interesting places in Talkeetna. There are no hookups and no dump at this campground, so dry camping only. The $25 per night is for its location I guess. This seems to be a do anything you want campground, meaning make all the noise you like at any hour of the day or night. Little kids out playing at midnight, generators and loud music after 10:30 PM. While I hate to see a lot of rules, this place could use a few with some enforcement. I was in Talkeetna 15 years ago to climb Denali and the tourist crowds have increased tremendously since then, but the town remains one of my favorite places and my wife said it is a interesting place.

Stayed here 10 years ago and had a relatively pleasant experience. Now, in July of 2017, it appears ZERO maintenance has been done on the campground and little is done other than collecting fees!. It has been overtaken by Devil's Club and other weeds, the outhouses are rickety and toilet paper is hit or miss. Picnic tables are broken down, fire rings are a mess, etc.

It's a shame, because with routine maintenance this could be a respectable campground. As it is, it appears that the owners don't put a single penny back into the place. Unfortunately, it's the only "game in town" so they get away with this sorry lack of attention.

Arrived late in the afternoon and it was about 80 percent full (early June). Some great spots along the river, but all taken. A few nice secluded spots in the woods. Other spots were close together, so not much privacy. Bathrooms and showers ($6 for a shower) closed at 8 pm. Store had very few supplies. Outhouses were functional, but run down. Spots were mostly level. Some spots would be tight for an RV over 28 feet. About a 15 minute walk to town.

The scenery is amazing, we loved camping next to the river and the access to town as well as the trails.
The campground is not maintained very well and is overpriced for what it is. I was not a fan of the dirt bikes and ATV's speeding through the parking lot and road. As a couple who also enjoy ATV's we felt that these people do a disservice to others who have common courtesy and respect for others who are there to enjoy the peace of camping. There was also a few pet owners who did not leash their pets. Again...We are also pet owners who do follow the rules and don't want our experience (or yours) spoiled by folks who don't follow the rules.
We did not see the owner enforce the rules or check sites.
Not trying to sound negative about this place because other then what has been mentioned it was one of the best outings we've had this year and i look forward to going back.

It’s close to town with sites along the river and in the trees. You pay in the office and select whichever site you like. If you don’t like a lot of activity - bikes, ATVs and kids having fun this place might not be good for you. The more secluded and quieter sites are off the road in the trees versus down by the river which was pretty busy. My biggest complaint is that the two of the rigs next to us, one a rental motor home the other a trailer, ran their generators all night. We couldn’t even hear the river over the engines. But then again I never saw rules posted.

We arrived before 11:00 on a Thursday and before we paid we asked to drive through, which we were allowed to, no problem. We were given a hand drawn map of the campground that was very hard to understand and not very accurate.

We found a choice backin spot on the river. Sites are not numbered, so depending on how people park there could be a lot of campers. All sorts of sites, some parallel the river, some are pull thoughs or backins in the woods, some could accommodate a group of RV's. There was a lot of saving sites, apparently for the weekend. It began to fill up on Thursday afternoon with one nighters like us, but also groups of RV's with ATV's staking out their area. Our Thursday night was quiet, but I can see it could get loud on a weekend.

There were no trash cans in the camping area and there was a lot of trash everywhere. We picked up plenty in our site. The outhouses are ancient and look like they might fall over. Big rig friendly except the spur heading upriver, there are some low branches. On my dog walks, I did see some nice sites we would have considered if we had seen them, down towards the boat launch as well as some along the perimeter of the boat launch parking lot.

Easy walk to town from the campground. Be sure to walk out to Talkeetna River Park to see the awesome view of Denali.