Camping in Nenana
Nenana RV Park & Campground
This family-owned, full-service campground offers a wide range of sites from tent camping to water and electric RV sites. Hot showers, laundry, Wi-fi, bicycle rentals, mini golf and a selection of local arts and crafts. They have propane and a dump station. 210 4th Street. 907-888-5358
Sites range from tent to water & electric RV spots. There is a a on-site is a dump station, propane, hot showers, laundry, wi-fi, bicycles, fire pits, mini golf, $1 movie rentals, local arts and crafts, and much more! Located off the Parks Hwy in the village of Nenana at mile 304.5.
Hotels in Nenana
Roughwoods Inn
Has clean, quiet, fully renovated rooms that offer a rustic charm. This unique Alaskan Inn earns its name from the rustic decor and numerous wood carvings on site. They have an on-site café.
Corner of 2nd and A Street. 907-832-5299
The Alaska Railroad Museum & Nenana Depot
has three guest rooms on a private second floor with great views of the Mears Bridge and Nenana’s Main Street. To book call Kari at 907-590-3576, Gary at 907-371-5588 or online at AirBnB.com.
900 Front Street.
Dining in Nenana
Monderosa Bar & Grill
Is a beloved local restaurant serving up delicious hearty meals. It’s a favorite among locals and famous for serving the best burger in Alaska. 4 miles north of town on the Parks Highway at mile 309. 907-832-5243
Roughwoods Café
Offers quality home cooked meals as well as in-house home-brewed beer. Corner of 2nd and A Street.
Alaskan Rustic Company
is not only an amazing hopping experience, but also offers up a delicious selection of food from their sweet & salty menu. Visitors can indulge in ice-cream, root beer and fruity floats, caramel treats and much, much more.
817 North A Street. 907-347-970
Subway®
is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner at 102 8th Street. Eat Fresh with a Footlong Sub and add chips and a drink for your adventure. Order online at Subway.com or on the Subway® APP.
Shop in Nenana
Coghill’s Store
Has been a Nenana landmark for more than 100 years. This general store carries a wide selection of groceries, hardware, local crafts, and everyday essentials. 807 North A Street.
The Alaskan Wildlife Museum
Lets visitors explore all the beautiful animals that Alaska has to offer and have the opportunity to saddle up on their very own moose named Lightning for an epic photo! Browse custom souvenirs and snacks including a variety of wild game jerky! Don’t miss the chance to “Ride the Lightning” in Nenana! 101 Front Street. 425-275-7641
Alaskan Rustic Company
Is full of unique Alaskan-made products giving guests an authentic Alaskan shopping experience. Come and see one-of-a-kind photographic masterpieces, custom jewelry, knives, wood turned bowls and hand made pottery. Alaskan Rustic offers everything from incredible dishes and desserts, to custom designed clothing, handbags and accessories from over 50 Alaskan artists and vendors. 817 North A Street 907-347-9705
The Alaska Railroad Museum & Nenana Depot
Was built in 1922. Visitors can step into a piece of Alaskan history at this small, well-preserved train depot that is now a museum filled with intriguing railroad artifacts and period decor. Stop in for a taste of Americana and glimpse into Alaska’s rail heritage. 900 Front Street.
Things to do in Nenana
The Golden Railroad Spike
Was hammered in by President Harding in 1923 near the end of the Mears bridge to commemorates completion of the Alaska Railroad.
That golden spike was acquired in 2025 by a partnership of the City of Nenana, The Anchorage Museum, the Alaska Railroad and others in order to reclaim this piece of Alaskan history. It is now on display at the Anchorage Museum.
The Historic Nenana Railroad Depot
At 900 A Street in Nenana, Alaska, is the original Alaska Railroad depot built in 1922. In 1937 an addition was placed on the station to house staff. This station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
The Alaska State Railroad Museum was established in the depot in 1987 and stopped operating in 2017. The Friends of the the Tanana Valley Railroad took over as the new caretakers of the station in 2020 with hope to reopen the museum after repairs and renovations take place.
The Nenana Ice Classic
Has been an Alaskan tradition since 1917. The Ice Classic invites locals and visitors to guess the exact minute the Tanana River ice will break up each spring. It’s one of the state’s most iconic seasonal events and offers substantial prize winnings. The tripod used is located on the shore of the Tanana River, at the end of Market Street.
The Nenana Ice Classic involves the sale of tickets, with each ticket corresponding to a specific time. Participants can purchase as many tickets as they like, and the person who holds the ticket with the exact time that the ice breaks up wins that year’s jackpot, which is usually a significant sum of money. In 2023, the jackpot was over $220,000.
The exact time that the ice breaks up is determined by a wooden tripod that is placed on the frozen river ice of the Tanana River. The tripod is connected to a clock on the riverbank, and when the ice breaks up and the tripod falls, the clock is stopped, and the time is recorded. This time is then compared to the times on the tickets to determine the winner or winners who have guesses the correct time.
The Nenana Ice Classic is more than just a simple guessing game, however. It has also become a way for people in the community to come together and celebrate the end of winter. The event includes a variety of activities, such as live music, food vendors, and games.
One of the most interesting aspects of the Nenana Ice Classic is that it has been used as a way to track the effects of climate change on the region. Because the event has been held every year for over 100 years, it provides a unique opportunity to study how the ice on the river has changed over time. According to data collected from the Nenana Ice Classic, the ice on the Tanana River has been breaking up earlier and earlier in recent years.
Purchase tickets in Alaska or via mail.
https://www.nenanaakiceclassic.com/
McMillan Adventure Co. Wildlife Museum
Located in the heart of Nenana, the McMillan Adventure Co. Wildlife Museum is a captivating stop for travelers curious about Alaska’s diverse wildlife. The museum features lifelike dioramas and carefully curated exhibits that highlight the animals native to Alaska’s interior. It’s an educational and entertaining experience for all ages. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast or a family looking for an engaging roadside attraction, this small but impressive museum offers a glimpse into the natural world of Alaska in a way that’s both accessible and inspiring.
https://www.bellsalaska.com/listing/mcmillan-adventure-co-wildlife-museum/
Nenana FAQs
What is Nenana Alaska famous for?
Nenana, Alaska, is famous for several reasons, including:
- Nenana Ice Classic: Nenana is perhaps best known for the Nenana Ice Classic, an annual lottery-style guessing game in which participants predict the exact time the ice on the Tanana River will break up in the spring. The event has been held since 1917 and offers a cash prize to the winner who makes the most accurate prediction.
- Alaska Railroad: Nenana is where the Golden Spike was placed by President Warren Harden in 1923 to commemorate the completion of the Alaska Railroad. The railroad is was once a vital mode of transportation in the state but is now a scenic way for visitors to see Alaska’s landscapes.
How does the Nenana Ice Classic work?
The Nenana Ice Classic competition had its origins in 1917 when railroad engineers bet a sum of $800 with the condition that the winner would take all. Their challenge was to accurately predict the precise moment—down to the month, day, hour, and minute—when the ice covering the Tanana River would finally break up. Since that inaugural year, the tradition has grown into a beloved and enduring Alaskan tradition, with Alaskan residents continuing to make their best guesses regarding the river’s annual breakup.
When was the first Nenana Ice Classic?
The first Nenana Ice Classic took place in 1917. This annual event revolves around predicting the exact moment when the ice on the Tanana River in Nenana, Alaska, will break up in the spring.
