Carlson Center Fairbanks | Informal Campsite

September 16th, 2022 by lingbozhang90

We arrived after 9pm to a completely empty lot, both the gravel and the paved lots. There's no lighting here so we turned on our high beams. As we found the section by the porta potties and are turning in, we see a man standing really still, illuminated in our highbeams. He didn't move at all, and just gave off a strange vibe in a dark, empty lot. We got out of there and went to Walmart.

August 27th, 2022 by JEAN NOORDHOFF

Had a nice peaceful nights sleep with about 8 other campers.
grassy area next to ball diamond as described before in other comments. Portapotty on site.

August 13th, 2022 by rubyontheroad

Stayed two nights here without incident with several other RVs. Clean porta potty. Right on the river (no view) and bike path.

June 25th, 2022 by seakirsi

Still there, one other camper. Big open field with trash cans and portapotties . Employees came and took the trash. Did not say no camping. The smaller place nearby did have a no camping sign.

June 25th, 2022 by Elephant

We stayed here 2 nights, very clean and nobody bothered us, thanks Fairbanks.

June 17th, 2022 by david100362

lugar perfecto, tranquilo y gratuito. Cerca del centro y del Airport Highway

June 15th, 2022 by vyleta.spam

There is a gravel parking close to the baseball field, where locals were hanging out late to the night, a bit weird and loud, but better than idiots running in ATVs around walmart. We parked on the paved parking lot that is close the the hall of carlson center, there were two other campervans. For the limited place in and around fairbanks, this was doable, but I would suggest some of the $10 per night parking lots on the Road to Chena Hot Springs. You are likely going to get way better sleep + you may then soak in the hot Springs for $15 in the morning when there is less people.

June 12th, 2022 by kaladeviaje

Llevamos un par de noches durmiendo aquí totalmente solos. Hay 2 campos de baseball y espacio gigante para estacionar cualquier vehículo o RV. También hay un sendero para caminar. Hay mosquitos pero al estar en la ciudad no hay tantos cómo en los lagos o montaña dónde no pusimos dormir por eso. No hay servicios pero mucha zona verde vale la pena. Full señal celular. Silencioso y seguro.

We've been sleeping here totally alone for a couple of nights. There are 2 baseball fields and a huge space to park any vehicle or RV. There is also a walking trail to excersise. There are mosquitoes but as it being in the city there are not as many as in the lakes or mountains where we couldn't stay. There is not facilities but lot of green zones worth it for us. Full cellphone signal. Quiet and safe.

August 27th, 2021 by sierraindia87

I came here on two different nights to stay overnight and didn’t feel comfortable. No other vans / campers / RV’s were in the lot, only locals that were in vehicles that were missing windows and in very poor condition. They all kept revving their engines, playing loud music, pulling up really closely to other cars and exchanging items ~ so I left and went to Walmart. :)
It’s been a few years since someone has commented on this spot, so maybe things have changed. Stay safe, friends!

August 17th, 2021 by sunny16869

Nice quiet spot for an overnight stop with a line of trees on one side and baseball field on the other.

May 25th, 2020 by seabass1997

Was nice and quiet till I woke up to local meth heads cutting the cam straps and stealing $5 worth of gas from the cargo carrier in the back. Woke up as it was happening and they scurried off. Would not reccomend.

September 9th, 2019 by lgott

nice, quiet little spot to spend the night

August 24th, 2019 by pelo.retrovisor

great place to spend the night in Fairbanks. we are not used to sleeping on our rooftop tent in a place in a city like this, but this was sweet. Porta Potty was clean as well!
edit: I have adjusted the GPS location and iOverlander should track you correctly now.

August 19th, 2019 by elsa_happy

As described. There is a "dry" (chemical) toilet which is much appreciated! About 5 other vans here tonight. Noise from the street very bearable. Good spot in Fairbanks.

August 9th, 2019 by ryanvanzo

Best place in Fairbanks. Please treat it well. Note gps may take you to the wrong side of the river so pay attention. Just manually type in Carlson center and you’ll get here fine.

July 23rd, 2019 by Evan Springer

Stayed here for 5 nights along with a few other rigs that did the same. One the weekend there were a few older beat up vehicles that were more local but everyone was nice enough. Verizon and ATT work great here. Grass is nice to park on and there is a porta potty close to the practice baseball field if you need it. The airport way soughdough gas station is well priced for gas and diesel and has an dump station with fresh water. Both are free to use.

July 14th, 2019 by viagemfamilia11

Nice place to park and camp to pass the night. Free.
We arrived at a sunday 6PM. There where several other RVs. We put our rooftent up made dinner and sleped OK.
Just near the trees, behind a baseball field.

July 5th, 2019 by freespiritcoelhos

Google takes you to other side of river if point chosen from iOverlander app. We had to put Carlson centre in google and then head towards grassy parking lot. Quiet night.

July 19th, 2017 by El Carrito Azul

Big grassy Campingarea between Carlson Center and Chena River. Almost in the center of Fairbanks. Pioneer Park just a 5 minute walk. Certainly you can hear the traffic, but way not as much as at any Walmart.