Tucked along the Richardson Highway in the Copper River Basin, Squirrel Creek State Recreation Site offers a quiet retreat surrounded by the rugged beauty of interior Alaska. Located near Copper Center—roughly 100 miles north of Valdez—this small recreation site sits at the confluence of Squirrel Creek and the Tonsina River, making it a reliable spot for fishing, particularly for grayling and Dolly Varden during summer runs.

The site serves as a popular overnight stop for travelers driving the Richardson Highway between Valdez and Fairbanks. A maintained campground provides wooded pull-through and back-in sites suitable for RVs and tent campers, with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. The forested setting along the creek gives each site a sense of privacy that larger roadside campgrounds often lack.

Beyond fishing, visitors explore the surrounding boreal forest on foot, watch for moose and migratory birds along the creek corridor, and use the site as a base for day trips to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, just a short drive east. The Copper River Basin’s wide-open landscapes and mountain views make even the drive in memorable.

The best time to visit is June through August, when long daylight hours and mild temperatures make camping comfortable. Mosquito repellent is essential through mid-July. Fall visitors in late August and September are rewarded with fewer bugs, golden birch forests, and the possibility of northern lights.

With a 4.1-star rating from visitors, Squirrel Creek delivers an authentic Alaska roadside camping experience without the crowds.

Explore Nearby

• Kimball Pass — Public Land in Alaska
• Tonsina River Trail — Public Land in Alaska
• Chugach National Forest — National Forest in Alaska