Map showing campground location near Salcha, Alaska

Birch Lake State Recreation Site

Within Birch Lake State Rec Area, this state-managed campground operates with 17 drive-in sites arranged in parking lot style alongside several walk-in tent options. The facility accommodates RVs up to 36 feet and provides drinking water, restrooms, and ADA accessibility. Sites include picnic tables and fire pits, with a shared grassy area and dock providing lake access for swimming and fishing in the stocked waters.

Weekday visits tend to be quiet, though weekends and holidays bring crowds with back-to-back camping and minimal privacy between sites. A water toy rental business operates nearby, and the route passes Eielson Air Force Base. Campers seeking different accommodations can explore Military Park Eielson AFB Birch Lake Recreation Area located just down the road.

Reservation Info

★ Camping Limit - 15 days

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Location

Public Campground

Birch Lake State Recreation Site is located in Alaska

Coordinates

64.31900002 N
146.64100055 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 4/2/26

Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 4/2/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Drinking Water
Toilets

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

51 min from Fairbanks, AK
51 min from Fairbanks, AK

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4.5

out of 5

3 Reviews

A parking lot style campground with basic amenities including picnic tables, fire pits, and a dock. Visitors frequently mentioned the lack of privacy and close camping proximity, though the lake offers good swimming and fishing opportunities.

Georgia B.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 1, 2021

Peaceful

During the week, it is very quiet. Weekends and holidays it can be crowded. Military recreation area just down the road. Over half the lake is privately owned.

Siteunknown

Month of VisitJuly

Joe C.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 23, 2020

Birch lake

One of things I loved about this place was my dog loved playing around the grassy side of the trailer

Samantha M.

Ranger

Reviewed Jun. 15, 2020

Great swimming area for kids

This was a parking lot style camping with 17 parking spots. There are a few walk-in tent sites on site as well. If you are military there are quite a few options for cabins and more sites but you need permission to enter. There were picnic tables, fire pits, a dock, and shared grassy area for this campground. There’s a rental place near by for water toys which makes a great day on the water for kids. I would choose this place to swim over Harding Lake this summer due to high waters at Harding. The mosquitoes were bearable but be prepared for back to back camping and zero privacy. The lake is stocked with fish and you can see plenty swimming around as soon as you look in the water. Bathrooms on site. Make sure to bring your own firewood. Passing the Air Force base on your way to the campground is so cool if you get to see a take off on your way!