Travelers driving through the small town of Glennallen, Alaska, can be heading for a variety of destinations. Northern Nights RV Campground, located only minutes from the junction of the Glenn Highway and the Richardson Highway, is perfectly situated for a quiet night’s stay.

This well-maintained campground has been in operation in Glennallen for 30 years and is a popular spot to break up longer trips. Glennallen is 221 miles from the Alaskan border, so depending on where a traveler started their day, stopping for the night at either Tok or Glennallen is common. With free showers, free Wi-Fi, a dump station and laundry facilities, Northern Nights Campground has a lot to offer campers.

The campground has 28 well-spaced, nicely wooded sites, including 16 pull-through sites with 30-amp electric and water, 5 back-in, full hook-up sites, 3 back-in sites with 30-amp and water only, and five ample-sized tent camping dry sites with tent platforms. All sites have picnic tables and fire rings.

Location is key – the junction of the Glenn Highway with the Richardson Highway, just minutes away, offers the option of heading 118 miles to the picturesque harbor town of Valdez, Alaska, with its fun water-front shops and restaurants, great fishing, wildlife and glacier cruises, heading for Fairbanks (247 miles), or if coming from Fairbanks, heading down Glenn Highway to Anchorage, 180 miles away.

The campground is also a short drive from the Wrangle-St. Elias National Park Visitors Center in Copper Center and is a regular stop-off for the Kennecott Mine shuttle bus, which will take tourists for the 160-mile round trip.

Quite a few RV travelers who have tow vehicles opt to park their large RVs at Northern Nights RV Campground and take their smaller vehicle for the day trip down the gravel road to McCarthy and the Kennecott Mines in Wrangle-St. Elias National Park (some choosing to spend the night in the park at a B&B while others make it a day-trip and return to the campground for the night). The long gravel road is passably for RVs, but not recommended.

With all of the tempting stopping points, scenic vistas and side trips along the Richardson Hwy, Glenn Hwy or Valdez cut off (still part of the Richardson Hwy), it can easily stretch a 2 to 6-hour drive into an all-day adventure with little effort. Having a comfortable, shady place to stop, rest and enjoy the evening can be a welcome relief or just a nice break from driving.

Northern Nights RV Campground is open from May 15th to September 15th each year, weather permitting. If you are traveling early in the spring or late fall, call ahead to check on conditions and availability. There is cheerful, helpful on-site staff 24-hours a day during the season. The campground offers a 10% Good Sam, AAA or military discount, so don’t forget to ask.

I’ve stayed at this campground in my own RV, traveling with two Dachshunds, and had a very positive experience both times. There are plenty of shady, woodsy areas to walk on-leash dogs and the occasional squirrel for entertainment. My pups sure did enjoy watching them, in any case.

The campground is also unique in offering a “Gathering Place” pavilion near the front of the campground; encouraging campers to get out of their RVs and tents and gather for complimentary dessert and conversation on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from June through August. There is free coffee every morning from 7am-9am.

Camp managers occasionally do a salmon bake as well – a uniquely Alaskan treat. I happened to be at the campground last year over the 4th of July holiday and enjoyed a complimentary BBQ with burgers, fries and side dishes. It was fun to share conversation and travel stories with guests from all across the USA and abroad!

Note: I did not receive any sort of compensation from the owners of this RV Campground in exchange for this review. It is a pleasant park and I will, I am sure, stay there again in the future.