Chena River State Recreation Area (Interior Alaska)

More than ever, Chena River State Recreation Area is a park for all seasons. Are you interested in a day of hiking and rock-climbing at Granite Tors? Or would you prefer to harness up the dog team and escape into the snowy horizon? With 397 square miles of forests, rivers, and alpine tundra, the recreation area has something to offer everyone. The variety of activities draws more than 150,000 people to the Chena River State Recreation Area every year.

Campgrounds in the area can accommodate all sorts of outdoor enthusiasts, from tent campers to those with deluxe recreational vehicles. Three developed campgrounds exist in the recreation area: Rosehip Campground at milepost 27 Chena Hot Springs Road, Tors Trail Campground at milepost 39, and Red Squirrel Campground and Picnic Area at milepost 43. See the chart on page 2 for more information. Opportunities for camping in undeveloped areas can be found along the many gravel bars and river access roads.

The park follows the Chena River, a clearflowing, class II river ideal for kayaking, canoeing, or fishing for abundant arctic grayling. Chena Hot Springs Road parallels the river, providing boaters and anglers many entry and exit points from which to choose.

Dipping the hook for grayling can be an invigorating experience in the summer. In addition to the river, four small ponds have been stocked at mileposts 30, 45.5 and 47.9. The river is catch and release only, but fish caught in the gravel ponds may be kept.

In winter months, two major dog sled races use portions of the old Chena Hot Springs Winter Trail. Ski touring is also popular. The recreation area contains numerous winter trails, providing opportunities for motorized and nonmotorized recreation.

Wildlife is abundant in the Chena River Recreation Area. Visitors frequently find moose munching in the beaver ponds and sloughs along Chena Hot Springs Road. Black and grizzly bears also inhabit the area, though they are seldom seen. Grizzly bears have been spotted by backcountry hikers in alpine areas. Black bears are found in areas with abundant vegetation.

Source: Alaska State Parks.

For more information on Alaska State Parks, visit theAlaska State Parks web site.

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