Petersville Road Dispersed

The feel

This is free dispersed camping on BLM and state land along upper Petersville Road, past Trapper Creek, with views of Denali. The sites are gravel road pullouts.

The paved section of the road ends after about 9.4 miles. Past the Forks Roadhouse junction the road is primitive for about 14.9 miles. The road leads to the Petersville Recreational Mining Area along Peters Creek, which the legislature set aside in 1997 for recreational mining and general public recreation.

What to expect

Layout and setting

Dispersed camping in gravel road pullouts along the upper road, with Denali views.

Fees and reservations

Free. First come, first served.

Hazards

The road is primitive for about 14.9 miles past the Forks Roadhouse junction.

Bathrooms and water

No facilities. Pack it in and out.

Season and access

June through September. The road is closed to thru traffic during the winter months.

Mingo says

Plan your trip for summer, since winter shuts the road to thru traffic. Aim for the pullouts that open onto Denali views.

Before you go

• Pack out everything you pack in.
• Expect four-wheel drive or high clearance conditions on the primitive stretch beyond the Forks Roadhouse junction.
• Camp in the gravel road pullouts, where you pull off the road.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.