Marion Creek Campground
Marion Creek Campground is nestled on the south side of the Brooks Range in the Middle Fork Koyukuk River valley. It offers vistas of the Brooks Range and has access to the nearby undeveloped trail up to Marion Creek falls. The campground is a perfect basecamp for exploring Alaska’s Brooks Range. There are 27 sites, three of which are accessible. The site is located five miles north of Coldfoot. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to claim and purchase a site. More reliable cellular service can be found 5 miles south in Coldfoot.
More like this: first-come in Alaska · pets allowed in Alaska · accessible sites in Alaska
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 26 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
26 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Water / sewer | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site 2 | Inner Loop | No / – | Yes | |
| Site 3 | Inner Loop | No / – | Yes | |
| Site 4 | Inner Loop | No / – | Yes | |
| Site 5 | Inner Loop | No / – | Yes | |
| Site 6 | Inner Loop | No / – | Yes | |
| Site 7 | Inner Loop | No / – | Yes | |
| Site 8 | Inner Loop | No / – | Yes | |
| Site 9 | Inner Loop | No / – | Yes | |
| Site 10 | Inner Loop | No / – | Yes | |
| Site 11 | Inner Loop | No / – | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | $12 per night. Campground is open from mid-May through end of September (depending on snowfall). |
| Accessibility | Sites Site 27, Site 25 (Accessible) are listed accessible |
The roads, tenting areas, and parking aprons have a gravel surface. There are 27 sites, one of which is designated accessible. Fourteen sites are pull-through, allowing easy access for RVs. The campground has potable water, vault toilets, and trash receptacles. Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table. There is no electricity and no dump station. A camp host is onsite, and firewood is available.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Marion Creek Campground is located at mile 180 of the Dalton Highway. It is 5 miles past the village of Coldfoot, on the east side of the highway.
| Nearest town | Coldfoot, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 67.3168° N, 150.1590° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Once on-site, you can pay for your campsites(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app.
- Download the free Recreation.gov mobile app on Android or iOS prior to your arrival as this is a remote area that has limited or no cellular service.
Charges and cancellations
No refunds.
Explore
Video
Marion Creek campsite - Coldfoot
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Natural features
The campsites are situated in a spruce forest with wide views of the Brooks Range. Namesake Marion Creek is only a short walk from the campsites. The area provides habitat for squirrels, voles, marten, lynx, wolf, moose, and grizzly and black bears. A variety of birds migrate north to breed in the area and further north. Some of the year-round resident birds include ravens, grouse, chickadees, hawk owls and Canada jays. Campers can experience 24-hour daylight during a period of about 30 days around June 21, and abundant light the rest of the summer season. In late August and into September bright, fall colors in trees and tundra extend for hundreds of miles. Late August and into September, sky gets dark enough that you have chances to see the aurora borealis.
Recreation
The Brooks Range offers excellent recreation opportunities. Explore undesignated routes from the Dalton Highway. Hiking is plentiful up and into the mountains where ridges and drainages provide firm footing, and the forest thins to low-growing tundra. Hiking east from the highway will lead you to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, while hiking west of the highway will take you towards Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. Choose your route with care, let someone know where you plan on going, carry bear deterrent, and bring topographic maps, a GPS, and a compass with you. Panning for gold is allowed on a few federal stream segments along the Dalton Highway south of Atigun Pass (Milepost 244). No panning is permitted in the pipeline right-of-way (27 feet/8.2 m on either side of the pipeline) and no panning on federal mining claims without permission. Suction dredging is prohibited in the Utility Corridor. Visit the Arctic Interagency Visitor Center in Coldfoot to get more information on where you may legally pan for gold.
Nearby
The original gold rush town of Coldfoot was located on the Middle Fork of the Koyukuk River near the mouth of Slate Creek. It got is name in 1900 when early prospectors reportedly got “cold feet” and left before winter set in. Today it is small community serving truckers who drive the “haul road” to Prudhoe Bay, as well as visitors. There is a cafe, lodging, a post office, diesel and gasoline fuel, and limited repair service. Coldfoot is a transition point for people accessing the backcountry via small aircraft. The Arctic Interagency Visitor Center in Coldfoot introduces visitors from around the world to the unique and extreme environment of the Arctic. Explore interpretive exhibits, walk the nearby nature trails, and talk with knowledgeable staff to learn more about the region’s history, natural environment, and recreation opportunities. The visitor center is a partnership between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the National Park Service (NPS), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Marion Creek Campground?
No. Marion Creek Campground is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: How first-come camping works
How much does it cost to camp at Marion Creek Campground?
$12 per night. Campground is open from mid-May through end of September (depending on snowfall).
How many sites does Marion Creek Campground have?
27 sites, including 26 standard sites without power.
Source: Site mix
Are there showers or a dump station at Marion Creek Campground?
There is no electricity and no dump station.
Source: Amenities & rules
Are pets allowed at Marion Creek Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Marion Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.
Can I have a campfire at Marion Creek Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Are there accessible sites at Marion Creek Campground?
Sites Site 27 and Site 25 (Accessible) are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
What is there to do at Marion Creek Campground?
The Brooks Range offers excellent recreation opportunities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Marion Creek Campground?
Coldfoot, Alaska. The original gold rush town of Coldfoot was located on the Middle Fork of the Koyukuk River near the mouth of Slate Creek.
Source: Getting there
What if Marion Creek Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Arctic Circle Campground (55.2 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby