Map showing campground location near Gakona, Alaska

Camper submitted image from Tangle Lakes Campground

Tangle Lakes Campground

Fishing enthusiasts and paddlers will find direct water access at Tangle Lakes Campground, where sites sit on open tundra alongside multiple lakes and the Tangle River. Located at mile 21 of the Denali Highway, this Bureau of Land Management campground operates year-round with no reservation system and costs up to $20 per night.

The campground's tundra setting means no trees for shade or windbreaks, requiring campers to stay on designated paths to protect the fragile ecosystem. Hand pumps provide fresh water throughout the sites, and boat launches offer access to the lake system for fishing and paddling. A one-mile hiking trail follows the ridge above the western edge, and reviewers note wildlife sightings including bald eagles using lakeside trees as hunting perches.

Sites include picnic tables and fire rings, with some featuring raised grassy areas for tents. The remote location means limited cell service and no nearby stores. Kristen P. notes it's "always clean" with an "attentive host," though the area can get busy during major holidays. Pit toilets serve the campground, though they may require a walk from some sites.

Campers seeking more developed facilities can consider Fielding Lake State Recreation Site, located northeast with additional amenities.

Description

Overview

Tangle Lakes Campground, located at MP 21.5 of the north side of the Denali Highway, is situated within the Delta Wild and Scenic River corridor and the Tangle Lakes Archaeological District boundary where over 10,000 years of human use have been documented. The campground provides 45 accessible campsites and 4 walk-in sites and is equipped with water pumps, toilets and a boat launch. The campground rests amid a series of long, narrow lakes known as the Tangle Lakes that are connected by the Tangle River and form the headwaters of the Delta River. The boat launch provides access to the lakes and is also the designated put-in for the popular 30-mile Delta Wild & Scenic River float trip. The Tangle Ridge Hiking Trail (for non-motorized use only) extends out of the campground and provides a 360 degree view of the stunning landscape.

Recreation

https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/recreation-activities/alaska

Facilities

This recreation site provides 45 campsites (which includes a host site, picnic tables and fire rings. Other amenities within the facility include six double vaulted toilets (three accessible), numerous bear-proof trash receptacles and food lockers, parking for vehicles and trailers, a paved boat launch, potable water, accessible trails, picnic area, and interpretive panels dispersed throughout the site. Lower Tangle Lakes and Upper Delta River trip: Put-in is at Tangle Lakes Campground (MP 21 Denali Highway) and take out is north of Phelan Creek (MP 212 Righardson Highway). If continuing on to Lower Delta River past MP 212 of the Richardson highway there is no designated take-out point but the Richardson Highway parallels the river in many places.

Natural Features

This BLM-maintained campground sits amid the Tangle Lakes, a series of long, narrow lakes. This is a designated put-in for the 30-mile-long Delta National Wild and Scenic River float trip. There are moose and caribou in the area, many hunters use this as a base camp during the fall hunting season.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (907) 822-3217.

Nearby Attractions

The campground rests amid a series of long, narrow lakes known as the Tangle Lakes that are connected by the Tangle River and form the headwaters of the Delta River. The boat launch provides access to the lakes and is also the designated put-in for the popular 30-mile Delta Wild & Scenic River float trip. The Tangle Ridge Hiking Trail (for non-motorized use only) extends out of the campground and provides a 360 degree view of the stunning landscape.https://www.blm.gov/visit/denali-highway https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2021-08/PublicRoom_Alaska_Denali-Hwy-Brochure.pdf

Fee Info

FEE DESCRIPTION: $20 per site __All sites are on a first come first serve basis. The Tangle Lakes Campground opening and closing dates are weather dependent and may vary from season to season. May 30th Memorial Day through the first week in September (Labor Day) is typically when the site is accessible and open to the public. No fee for Delta Wild and Scenic River use.

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Location

Public Campground

Tangle Lakes Campground is located in Alaska

Coordinates

63.0518401 N
146.0073548 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Trash
Firewood Available
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol

For Vehicles

Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Visit Website

Drive Time

3 hrs 14 min from Fairbanks, AK

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5 Stars

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4.5

out of 5

7 Reviews

Visitors often highlighted the stunning tundra location with beautiful lake views and wildlife viewing opportunities. Campers regularly cited the clean sites and basic amenities, though the primitive nature means no hookups or showers.

SJ D.

Ranger

Reviewed Sep. 5, 2021

Perfect place to unplug

Stunning views all around. No services and no cell phone service. Come prepared with extra food, first aid, power, warm layers, rain gear, Inreach/spot. Weather changes quickly here be ready for anything. Amazing wildlife and history in this area, LNT principles are critical here to protect the ecosystem.

Month of VisitAugust

(6) View All

Melissa F.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 13, 2019

Just a little buggy

Tangle lakes campground has nice clean sites, lots of hiking (some a small drive) boat launch, bathrooms can be a bit of a walk from some sites. In mid August the little nats were horrible but that’s camping in Alaska!

(10) View All

Shadara W.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 12, 2019

Denali Hwy Hidden Gem

This campground may not have the tall trees due to is tundra location, but the views are worth it. Close to fishing, a gorgeous lake to kayak and canoe, tons of wildlife, hiking and panoramic views mean this campground has it all. Yes no hookups but they do recycle and the Tangle River Lodge is a hop, skip and a jump for a hot meal and some friendly conversation.

(5) View All

Hannah C.

Legend

Reviewed Apr. 2, 2019

Secluded and Quiet

We visited Tangle Lakes in Mid-September. There were only two other vehicles camping there. There are lots of campsites and everything is wide open. There are a few trees next to the river if you want to collect firewood but it was all wet. There are pit toilets here and a few spots had some running water. This campground was in a very remote location. Be sure you bring everything you need because you won't be able to access civilization easily. Our phones said they had service, but they did not work right. The actual campsites have pull-ins for campers or spots for tents, picnic table, and fire ring.

Kristen P.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 2, 2018

Tangle Lakes campground

Camped here plenty of times, mile 21 along Denali hwy. Beautiful area and views, always clean. Picnic tables and fire rings. Most sites have raised grassy areas for tent camping. Group camping sites available. Attentive host. Canoe, kayak, hike, fish, etc. 21 miles from Maclaren lodge (river and glacier)

Sometimes gets busy around bigger holidays like 4th of July.

Month of VisitMay

Bart R.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 1, 2016

Tangle Lakes in the fall is the best

Filled with great fishing and great views. Great for a 3-day road trip from Anchorage or a week away.

(10) View All

Matt M.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 4, 2016

Rustic Tundra camping

Three of us used the group camp spot near the lake, as our friends dodged the rain and stayed in a nearby bunkhouse. The campground sits directly on the tundra, so care is required to stay on the paths to not cause permanent damage to the biome. The downside of camping on the tundra was no trees to hang from, and nowhere to hang our rain tarp to create a dry zone for cooking and eating, but with the heavy tables and some tent poles, we managed to create a great space for hanging out for two days. The campground has a 1 mile hiking trail that goes along the ridge above the western edge, and at the time of our stay, the blueberries were perfectly ripe along the entire trail. Also cool was that a bald eagle was using one of the trees in the finger of land going into the lake as a hunting launchpad, allowing us many great photos of it sitting and flying throughout our stay.

The campground is primitive, no showers, but has several hand pumps for getting fresh water throughout the campsite and boat launches to get out onto the lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do reviews say about Tangle Lakes Campground?

Tangle Lakes Campground receives high marks for its stunning panoramic views, cleanliness, and natural beauty. Visitors appreciate the well-maintained sites and attentive campground host. The unique tundra setting is highlighted as special, though it requires care to stay on paths to prevent damage to the fragile ecosystem. While the campground lacks tall trees due to its tundra location, the trade-off is exceptional scenery. Some visitors note the presence of biting insects in mid-August and the lack of cell service.

What activities can I enjoy near Tangle Lakes Campground?

Tangle Lakes offers diverse outdoor activities year-round. The area is excellent for fishing, with visitors reporting great catches. Water enthusiasts can enjoy kayaking and canoeing on the gorgeous lake. Numerous hiking trails explore the surrounding tundra landscape, and wildlife viewing opportunities abound. The area also has historical significance worth exploring. The campground's location at mile 21 along the Denali Highway puts it within reach of additional recreational opportunities, including a visit to Maclaren Lodge about 21 miles away.

Are there photos available of Tangle Lakes Campground?

Yes, photos of Tangle Lakes Campground are available online through various camping platforms including The Dyrt. These images typically showcase the campground's distinctive tundra setting, panoramic mountain views, and proximity to the lake. For the most current and comprehensive collection of photos, check the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) website, which manages the campground, or popular camping apps.

Where is Tangle Lakes Campground located in Alaska and how do I get there?

Tangle Lakes Campground is located at mile 21 along the Denali Highway in central Alaska. The campground sits directly on the tundra with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. It's accessible by car from Anchorage, making it suitable for a 3-day road trip or longer vacation. The remote location means visitors should come prepared with extra supplies, as there are no services and no cell phone coverage. Weather can change rapidly, so bring appropriate gear including warm layers and rain protection.

What amenities and facilities are available at Tangle Lakes Campground?

Tangle Lakes Campground offers basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets. Most sites feature raised grassy areas ideal for tent camping. There are no hookups or services available, so campers should come fully prepared. The campground provides recycling facilities, and group camping sites are available for larger parties. An attentive host maintains the clean facilities, though bathrooms can be a bit of a walk from some sites.

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