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Trip Planner:   USA  /  Alaska  /  Fairbanks  /  Chena River State Recreation Area

Chena River State Recreation Area, Fairbanks

4.3
#2 of 11 in Parks in Fairbanks
Water Body · State Park
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Chena River State Recreation Area is a 254,080-acre (1,028.2 km2) state park in the U.S. state of Alaska, located east of Fairbanks. The recreation area is centered on the Chena River. Facilities include campgrounds, hiking, ATV, snowmachine and sled dog trails, a shooting range, fishing ponds, and several public-use cabins. Fishing for Arctic grayling is catch-and-release only in the river, but visitors may keep grayling caught in the three stocked ponds. The area is also noted for several concentrations of granite tors. The road through the recreation area ends at the privately owned and operated Chena Hot Springs resort.
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Chena River State Recreation Area reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
245 reviews
Google
4.6
TripAdvisor
  • Had a VRBO rental on the shores of this waterway. Saw dog sleds, people and snowmobiles. No wildlife. But also, no city lights. Beautiful view of the mountains. 
    Had a VRBO rental on the shores of this waterway. Saw dog sleds, people and snowmobiles. No wildlife. But also, no city lights. Beautiful view of the mountains.  more »
  • The Chena River area is suitable for picnicking and relaxing near the river. There are multiple pull out points near the river and the place was not crowded. 
    The Chena River area is suitable for picnicking and relaxing near the river. There are multiple pull out points near the river and the place was not crowded.  more »
Google
  • Angels rock hike. Nice hike with some steep climbs. Views are well worth the effort
  • I visited Granite Tors trail, which is located in the Chena River recreation area. It was beautiful. The trails were pretty well maintained, there were a few spots where it gets a little overgrown, but not really that bad at all. There is a boggy area near the point to head back to the start that is a little difficult to traverse, but not so bad it is not enjoyable. It is also not that long of a distance on the boggy area, maybe a quarter mile max. Along the ridgeline it does get a little confusing on which way to go, because there is trail and then all of a sudden there is nothing but huge rocks and trees all around. If you look for the rock markers that are built up, you will see the way to staying on track. There are some cairns there that mark the way and a few small bright hiking signs, but they are hard to spot sometimes, the rock piles are the best navigation tools on the ridge in my opinion. If you want a challenge be sure to get on the Granite Tors trail, if you are a trail runner, you could potentially run most of it. If you are just up for a challenging hike try this, you won't be disappointed.

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