Walker Fork Campground
01 reviewEastern Interior Field Office, MP 82.1 Taylor Highway, Chicken, AK, 99709, USA
Walker Fork Campground
$12.00 - $12.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$12.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
The fee is $12 per night, payable using an iron ranger fee-payment box near the entrance or via the Scan & Pay app. Note that there is no cell phone reception at the site, so the app must be downloaded prior to arrival.
About this campground
Nestled at milepost 82.1 along the historic Taylor Highway near the gold rush town of Chicken, Walker Fork Campground offers 18 pristine sites along the banks of the legendary Forty Mile River. This Bureau of Land Management gem welcomes adventurers on a first-come, first-served basis, providing complimentary firewood to warm your evening gatherings, fresh potable water, and well-maintained restroom facilities. Pay your modest fee at the convenient iron ranger station and settle in for an authentic Alaskan wilderness experience where the river's gentle murmur becomes your evening soundtrack.
Walker Fork Campground caters to a variety of camping styles, primarily focusing on tent and RV camping.
Historical SignificanceStep back in time at Walker Fork, where the echoes of Alaska's mining heritage still resonate through the forest. During the bustling 1930s and 1940s, this very ground served as the Lassen airstrip—a vital lifeline connecting isolated mining camps along Jack Wade Creek to the outside world. Bush pilots once landed here year-round, their small aircraft loaded with essential equipment and fuel that kept the gold mining operations running. Today's campers pitch their tents where propellers once stirred the air, connecting with a fascinating chapter of Alaska's frontier history.
Weather and SeasonsWinter transforms Walker Fork into a crystalline wonderland where true cold-weather enthusiasts can experience Alaska's legendary chill. With daytime highs hovering around -11.5°F and nighttime lows plunging to -18.9°F, the dry Arctic air creates perfect conditions for viewing the northern lights dancing overhead. Light snowfall dusts the landscape throughout winter, while the remarkably low humidity ensures that even the coldest days feel crisp rather than biting. This is Alaska at its most raw and beautiful—a place where winter camping becomes an unforgettable adventure.
ElevationSet within Alaska's rolling interior landscape, Walker Fork Campground offers the perfect basecamp for exploring the surrounding wilderness terrain.
Natural Features and SceneryThe Forty Mile River winds gracefully past Walker Fork Campground, its waters telling ancient stories as they flow through dense boreal forest. Towering spruce and birch create a natural cathedral overhead, their branches filtering sunlight into dancing patterns on the forest floor. Wildlife enthusiasts frequently spot moose browsing along the riverbank at dawn, while keen-eyed visitors might glimpse black bears foraging for berries in late summer. The tranquil setting offers photographers endless opportunities to capture Alaska's untamed beauty, from misty morning river scenes to the ethereal glow of midnight sun filtering through the trees.
Geological RegionWalker Fork sits within Alaska's magnificent Eastern Interior, a vast wilderness where boreal forests stretch to the horizon and pristine river valleys carve through an ancient landscape. This remote region embodies the true spirit of the Last Frontier—millions of acres of untouched wilderness where geological time moves at its own pace. The surrounding terrain tells the story of Ice Age glaciers, gold-bearing streams, and the relentless forces that shaped this rugged corner of North America. Here, visitors experience the raw beauty of Alaska's interior, far from civilization's reach, in a landscape that has changed little since the first prospectors arrived over a century ago.
Campsite details
Sites SizeThe campground includes 24 total sites, 18 of which are pull-through sites.
Total Campsites18 campsites
Recommended CampsitesRecommendations for specific campsites are not available.
Best CampsitesSpecific campsite numbers or descriptions are not provided.
Reserving a campsite
Guests Allowed Per Site
Visitor limits per campsite are not specified.
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Site layoutThe campground features 18 campsites, 18 of which are pull-through sites.
Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round.
Reservation PlatformsReservations cannot be made in advance as all sites are first-come, first-served.
Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites are walk-up and first-come, first-served. Reviews confirm this arrangement with comments like: 'First come first served.'
Cancellation PolicyReservations are not available, so cancellation rules do not apply.
Amenities available
Potable water
Firewood available
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
There are limited recreational activities explicitly mentioned for Walker Fork Campground. However, its location along the Forty Mile River suggests potential for water-based activities and exploration of the surrounding natural area.
Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- Campfires are permitted and free firewood is provided.
Hazards
General hazardsPotential hazards might include wildlife encounters and extreme cold weather during winter; however, these are not explicitly discussed.
Weather forecast
72
°F
Aug 25
Monday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Very strong wind, outdoor activities may be affected
Humidity: 41%
Comfortable humidity levels
Wind: 13.1 mph
Very strong wind, outdoor activities may be affected
Overcast
7-Day Forecast
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Daily & Hourly Insights
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Temperature Trends
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Precipitation Trends
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Weather Summaries
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Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Emergency Services
Closest emergency services including hospitals, police stations, and ranger stations are unspecified.
Good to know
Peak season datesPeak season dates are not specified.
Proximity to water featuresThe campground is located along the Forty Mile River, providing access to water for recreational activities.
HostReviews mention 'Host was very friendly,' but further details are unavailable.
Campground Map
Eastern Interior Field Office, MP 82.1 Taylor Highway, Chicken, AK, 99709, USA
Driving directionsLocated at Milepost 82 on the Taylor Highway.
The campground is accessible directly via the Taylor Highway at Milepost 82. Specific seasonal road closures or extreme weather conditions could affect access, but these conditions are not explicitly detailed.Nearby places
Chicken, AK (approx. 8 miles away)
Nearby supplies
Closest locations for groceries, fuel, or camping supplies are unspecified, though Chicken, AK, being 8 miles away, is likely to have limited resources.
Camper Reviews
0.0
1 reviews
Walker Fork Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
Walker Fork Campground is generally well-regarded by visitors. It is noted for its cleanliness, availability of free firewood, and friendly host.
Review Summaries
Based on 1 reviews
What Campers Love
Visitors appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms, the free firewood, and the friendly host. One user commented, "Restrooms were spotless with hand sanitizer."
Based on 1 reviewsCommon Concerns
The lack of cell phone service may be inconvenient for some visitors.
Based on 1 reviewsPro Tips & Recommendations
Download any required mobile apps, such as Scan & Pay, before arriving as there is no cell phone reception at the campground.
Based on 1 reviewsSeasonal Insights
Seasonal trends are not explicitly mentioned in the available reviews.
Based on 1 reviewsCamper Quotes
"This is a park on BLM land. No hookups but potable water going in. Nice park along the Forty Mile River. Free firewood. Host was very friendly, restrooms were spotless with hand sanitizer." - Stan...
Based on 1 reviewsShow more
Last updated August 10, 2025