**Black Bear Campground is open. Beginning May 18, 2019 fees will be charged and services available.** During the off-season there is no water, no trash service, and no fees. Please pack out all garbage. Outhouse/toilet facilities may be unavailable. A small loop campground with 12 sites suitable for vehicle camping (RV's not recommended) and tents. 12 sites. Vault toilet, hand driven water pump, dumpster, picnic tables, fire rings, bear lockers. Not included: running water, electricity, dump station, or wood. $14/night

Black Bear Campground

Open year round, but some of the season is considered "off season"...During the off-season there is no water, no trash service, and no fees. Please pack out all garbage. Outhouse/toilet facilities may be unavailable. Reservations are made though Recreation.gov (1-877-444-6777) and recommended for summer camping. Fees are charged during the summer season. Reservations may be made up to180 days prior to your desired arrival date in the summer season (Memorial Day through Labor Day in September). Williwaw is the the larger of the two campgrounds in Portage Valley. Located about 1 mile from the popular Begich, Boggs Visitor Center. 60 sites. Can accomodate RV's. Restroom facilities and hand pump water is provided. $18 (single)/$28 (double). A non-refundable service fee will be added to each reservation by Recreation.gov Williwaw Campground, an idyllic area, sits beside Williwaw Creek near the town of Girdwood, Alaska. The campground boasts prime fishing, hiking and wildlife watching all within the Portage Valley. Next to the campground is the Williwaw Salmon Viewing Area, a top-notch spot for salmon viewing. In August, visitors can see these fish spawning in impressive numbers through the translucent waters. The area is a great place to view numerous glaciated valleys and the Portage Glacier. Over the past 80 years, the glacier calved large icebergs into Portage Lake, located just east of the campground. Recreation Wildlife viewing includes moose, brown and black bears, mountain goats, lynx, bald eagles and wolves. The Williwaw Nature Trail can be reached from the campground. It heads to the Williwaw Fish Viewing Platform, passes under the highway bridge and follows Williwaw Creek to a series of ponds. The trail then connects to the Trail of Blue Ice, which accesses the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center. The Trail of Blue Ice is also popular among mountain bikers. Facilities Drinking water from hand pumps, vault toilets, picnic tables and a parking area are provided at Williwaw Campground. Campsites are nicely separated, but no electric hookups are available. Natural Features The campground sits in the Portage Valley of the eastern Kenai Peninsula in the Chugach National Forest. The Forest, spanning 5,361,803 acres is comprised of arid tundra wilderness, jagged mountains, deep fjords and glacier-fed rivers that surround the Prince William Sound. Nearby Attractions Consider visiting the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Portage Glacier, the town of Whittier and Byron Glacier. ADA Access: N

Williwaw Campground

Whittier Parking and Camping offers supervised vehicle and vessel trailer parking and a separate campground facility in the heart of Whittier, Alaska.  Our friendly staff monitors operations during extended business hours, 7-days per week, during spring, summer and fall--usually from mid-April to late October.  We are found across the railroad tracks along Whittier Street, a short walk south of the local small boat harbor, private marina, cruise dock and day-cruise facilities.

Parking and camping operations are available at reasonable rates to support visitors who recreate in Western Prince William Sound during the six-month summer season.   We accept cash, checks and most major credit cards (Visa, Discover and Master Card). 

 

City of Whittier Camp Ground

Camp on the deck of a ferry. Covered solariums located on the upper decks of each vessel are popular sleeping areas and for those traveling with small tents, they are allowed on the upper decks. 

Alaska Marine Highway

## Overview

Spencer Bench Cabin is located at 1,900 feet in elevation at the end of the Spencer Bench Trail.   
The trail climbs away from the lake revealing breathtaking views of the Placer River Valley, Spencer Lake and the Spencer Glacier below. The cabin sits just below several alpine meadows with vegetation of low shrubs, grasses and summer wildflowers.   
  
  
Spencer Bench Cabin is available for rent year round. 

Spencer Bench Cabin is available to rent on Recreation.gov from Labor day through May 31 annually. 

During the summer season, from June 1 through Labor Day, the Alaska Railroad provides access to the area as well as reservations for Spencer Bench Cabin. To reserve the cabin during the summer season, please contact the Alaska Railroad at 800-544-0552. Summer reservations go on sale the First Friday in March annually. 

Please verify schedules at the Alaska Railroad website (www.alaskarailroad.com) prior to relying on the train for transportation. 

Outside of the core summer season, the Placer river valley (and Spencer Lake) is accessible via jet boat and float plane. 

## Recreation

Spencer Bench provides a picturesque view into the heart of the Chugach National Forest. Although the Spencer Bench Trail currently ends at the cabin, the open alpine areas just above the cabin offer excellent off-trail hiking and sightseeing opportunities during the summer months. Glaciers and peaks around the cabin offer experienced climbers a challenging adventure.

For winter recreationists, this cabin provides an incredible base camp for backcountry skiing and snowmachine adventures. It takes an advanced skillset and knowledge of avalanche hazards to access this Cabin via skis or snowmachines in the winter. Some parties do opt to charter a ski plane or helicopter to provide quick and easy winter access. More information on avalanche hazards in this area can be found at the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center website (www.CNFAIC.org). 

## Facilities

The cabin is a 15x17-foot, trapper-style cabin made entirely out of Alaskan yellow cedar. It can sleep six to eight people and offers a small kerosene heater, wooden bunks, a table with benches, fire extinguisher, and an outhouse. Electricity, water and fuel (kerosene) for the heater are not provided. Guests are responsible for supplying their own drinking water, kerosene for heater (Typically 1 gallon/ day is sufficient), a cook stove, flashlights or lanterns, bedding, mattresses, toilet paper, garbage bags, cookware, dishes and utensils. A creek is located near the cabin site but water should be treated before consumption.

## Natural Features

Black and brown bears, wolves, lynx, wolverine and moose inhabit the area. Mountain goats, marmots, arctic ground squirrels and spruce grouse may be spotted on the terrain around the cabin. Crow berries and Salmon Berries are plentiful in the late summer, along with low-bush blueberries.

## Nearby Attractions

The Placer River Valley and Spencer Lake developed Recreation area offers diverse recreational opportunities including easy hiking, rock climbing, ice climbing, rafting and fishing during the summer months. In the winter this area is popular with backcountry skiers and snowmobilers.

Spencer Bench Cabin

Whittier Parking and Camping offers supervised vehicle and vessel trailer parking and a separate campground facility in the heart of Whittier, Alaska.  Our friendly staff monitors operations during extended business hours, 7-days per week, during spring, summer and fall--usually from mid-April to late October.  We are found across the railroad tracks along Whittier Street, a short walk south of the local small boat harbor, private marina, cruise dock and day-cruise facilities.

        Parking and camping operations are available at reasonable rates to support visitors who recreate in Western Prince William Sound during the six-month summer season.   We accept cash, checks and most major credit cards (Visa, Discover and Master Card). 

Whitter Parking and Camping

Hop off the Train at the Spencer Whistle Stop! Take a tour with a Forest Service interpreter around the foot of Spencer Lake and then float among the icebergs that have calved off of the great glacier while the guide steers an Alaskan Native canoe. Or take a leisurely journey by raft down the Placer River toward Turnagain Arm.

Spencer Whistle Stop

Chugach Backcountry Camping

**Bertha Creek Campground is open. Beginning May 18, 2019 fees will be charged and services available. ** During the off-season there is no water, no trash service, and no fees. Please pack out all garbage. Outhouse/toilet facilities may be unavailable. A small loop campground with 12 sites suitable for vehicle camping, small RV's and tents, located at MP 65.4 of the Seward Highway. $14/night

Bertha Creek Campground

## Overview

Granite Creek Campground is set in the captivating Kenai Mountains, surrounded by wildflowers and spruce forests. The rugged mountains of the Kenai Peninsula are one hour south of Anchorage.

## Recreation

Biking is a popular activity at Granite Creek, with a paved bike path along the Seward Highway that extends for five miles south to the Hope Road. While on the path, look for raspberries to pick and wildflowers to smell. Fishing is considered intermediate, and Dolly Varden trout are among the tasty fish you might catch.   
  
Look for wildlife like moose, snowshoe hare, black and brown bears and mountain goats, or sit back and listen to water rushing through the glacier-fed Granite Creek.

## Facilities

The 19 sites are set apart from each other, so you'll get a sense of true nature and quiet. Most sites are right beside the creek. Bears frequent the area, so please make use of the bear boxes available.

## Natural Features

Set in the Chugach National Forest, the campground is along Granite Creek, a roaring glacier-fed river. Towering mountains, a mature spruce forest, and many glaciers describe the spectacular sights that await. 

## Nearby Attractions

A mile east of Granite Creek is the Johnson Pass Trail, a well-maintained 23-mile trail of mostly level terrain and breathtaking vistas. Nearby is Six Mile Creek, with Class V whitewater for rafting and kayaking.

Granite Creek

Girdwood Parks and Recreation offers tent camping opportunities during the summer months at the Girdwood Campground. To reach the campground, take Alyeska Highway and turn east on Egloff Drive.  Follow Egloff Drive past the Glacier City Hall building, Girdwood Fire Department and Ball Field.  The Girdwood Campground is located just past the Ball Field. 

Eighteen rustic camping sites are set amongst the tall spruce and cottonwood trees.  The campground is open during the summer only, from May thru September. weather permitting.  

Overnight camping is available for a maximum of 14 consecutive nights.  Camping spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Advance reservations are not available.  Upon selecting a tent site, campers must proceed to the payment kiosk to make payment for their site.

The Girdwood Campground is equipped with a cooking area and fire ring, located at the Nissman Pavilion, port-a-potties, and bear-proof food lockers.  Drinking water is available one block away, from a spigot located behind the Glacier City Hall building.

The Girdwood Campground is within easy walking distance to local restaurants, a laundromat with showers, store, health clinic, library, and post office.   

RATES:  

$10 per night, per tent
For the benefit of all campers we ask that patrons obey the following rules:

The use of fireworks and firearms of any type are not allowed in city parks.
Pets must be leashed or confined at all times and must not disturb other campers. Please clean up after your pet - doo your duty, scoop the poop.
Use bear-proof food lockers!  Do not keep food stored in your tent or outside in a cooler.
Discard garbage in the bear-proof trash containers provided.
Respect wildlife. Don't put yourself, others, or them in jeopardy because of your actions.
Children must be supervised by parents at all times.
All vehicles must remain on roads or in parking lots at all times.
Maximum of two vehicles per campsite are allowed.
Quiet time begins at 10 p.m. nightly.  Minimize noise or other disturbances in order to maintain the serenity of the park.
Check-out time is 12:00 Noon

Girdwood Campground

National Forest

This campground has all three warnings, sometimes.  There is a really nice boardwalk and the drive to this campground is great.  This is a smaller campground with only 12 sites that are not suitable for RVs.  If you are in an RV look at the williwaw campground instead. 
 
It is centrally located between Anchorage and the Peninsula but has so many things to offer.  Trip through the Whittier tunnel is a definite.  If you are a hiker Byron glacier in good weather is decent hike.  If you have kids and even if you don’t then the Wildlife Conservation Center of Alaska is great way to get close to the biggest animals Alaska has to offer.
 
During the autumn and winter this campground is still open but not maintained.  Toilets may not be available so bring your own TP and prepare to pack out all your trach.
 
Cell Service: No
Internet: No
2020 Cost: $14
Distance from Anchorage: 55
Bug Factor (1 minimal to 10 too many to enjoy): 5 if it gets sunny the bugs come out
 

Warnings: wind, water, and wildlife

Beautiful little spot, often overlooked for Williwaw Campground. We spent the weekend here and it was great. The canpground back up against the Trail of Blue Ice and has east access to all the Portage Vallet jas to offer. Nice open sites, the only downside is some road noise. We were happy to have not gotten into Williwaw as it is very grown up and hard to see and we did have a bear come through one night but we were able to see him. He passed through no issue just getting to the creek and fish. Wonderfully clean bathrooms serviced twice a day. The campgound jost at Williwaw also cover payment pickup for Black Bear. 

Beautiful Fun

It seems as though people don’t know about this one and it’s so nice. We felt alone in a beautiful place. And in such a pretty area! 

Black Bear Campground

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