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Official

Established Camping

Childs Glacier Recreation Area

Childs Glacier Recreation Area is located near Valdez-Cordova in the Chugach National Forest. The terrain features rugged landscapes with views of the nearby glacier. Temperatures can range from lows of 20°F in winter to highs of 60°F in summer. Visitors can explore the nearby Copper River and enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding forest.

Description

National Park Service

Chugach National Forest

Overview

This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Eleven maintained campsites are available at $10 per night. Payment can be made at a self-serve fee box located at the main pavilion. Visitors to Childs Glacier Campground and Recreation Area are instantly captivated by spectacular views of Childs Glacier, famous for its calving icebergs that once put on a great show. Other must-do activities in the area include hiking along the river and fishing for salmon. Childs Glacier was once accessible by road. In 2011 the dynamic nature of the Copper River washed out a section of highway at mile 36. Additional road damage occurred in 2018, washing out part of the road at Mile 44. Outfitters now provide tours and transport to the site.

Recreation

The Copper River boasts plenty of salmon. Wildlife watching opportunities include moose, grizzly and black bears. Lucky campers may spot bears fishing on the opposite side of the river. Recommended trails include Copper River and Childs Glacier North. Copper River Trail connects Childs Glacier Recreation Area to the historic Million Dollar Bridge following the shores of the Copper River. Childs Glacier North Trail begins north of the Million Dollar Bridge and leads hikers to the face of Childs Glacier.

Natural Features

Childs Glacier Campground is nestled in the Chugach Mountains on the south coast of Alaska. Alder, willow, devil's club and fern make up much of the campground understory. Tall cottonwoods dominate overhead. The campground is about 300 feet from the Copper River, a wide, glacier fed river that creates the extensive Copper River Delta and flows into the Gulf of Alaska.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (907) 424-7661.

Nearby Attractions

The historic Million Dollar Bridge, constructed in 1910, is nearby. The bridge over the Copper River was used to transport copper from the old mining town of Kennicott to the port of Cordova.

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Location

Childs Glacier Recreation Area is located in Alaska

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Cordova, the campground is 48 miles east on the Copper River Highway just before the Million Dollar Bridge. Two sections of the highway at mile 36 and mile 44 are washed out, and access to the site now requires a boat ride or travel by air. Several outfitters provide transportation to the campground.

Coordinates

60.66439 N
144.7585 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Poor
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Available

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets

Contact

General Info


Reviews

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2 Reviews

Reviewed May. 3, 2023

Road has been closed since 2011

This campground is inaccessible by road since 2011.  Not sure when this was written but should be updated with the herculean efforts necessary to get there.  The campground is open, but only if you can get there.

Reviewed Aug. 23, 2020

Child’s glaciers

When I think of Alaska and Hollywood this is the awesomeness that comes to mind about beautiful locations

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Childs Glacier Recreation Area have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Childs Glacier Recreation Area does not have wifi.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Childs Glacier Recreation Area?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Childs Glacier Recreation Area. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Childs Glacier Recreation Area, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Childs Glacier Recreation Area?

    There are 13 campsites at Childs Glacier Recreation Area and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts