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Established Camping

Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED, near Seward, Alaska, is a prime spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying some fantastic fishing opportunities. The campground is surrounded by stunning views and offers spacious sites that provide a good amount of privacy, making it a favorite among campers.

This location is particularly popular during the salmon runs, drawing in anglers eager to catch the action. Visitors have noted that the sites come equipped with picnic tables, fire pits, and bear-proof lockers, ensuring a comfortable stay while keeping your food safe from wildlife. As one camper mentioned, “The sites are private and big and shaded,” which adds to the overall appeal.

For those who enjoy hiking, the campground is conveniently located near trails that lead to the breathtaking Russian River Falls. You can also take a short walk to the river for some fishing or simply to soak in the beautiful surroundings. Just remember, this is bear country, so keep your wits about you and follow safety guidelines.

With no hookups available, campers should come prepared for a more rustic experience, but the amenities like clean pit toilets and water fill stations make it manageable. Whether you're here for a weekend or a longer stay, Russian River offers a unique blend of adventure and tranquility that keeps campers coming back year after year.

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Location

Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED is located in Alaska

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Anchorage, Alaska, travel south for 110 miles to Milepost 54 on the Sterling Highway, Alaska State Highway 1.

Address

Seward Ranger District, 33599 Ranger Station Spur
Seward, AK 99664

Coordinates

60.4835139 N
149.9734861 W

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Connectivity

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    Some Coverage
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    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations


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Reviews

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5.0

out of 5

13 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 26, 2025

Love this campground

07-25-2025 This campground is open. Came in and got on a waiting list for ff and got a site. On the list again but are sure we’ll get another since there was 3 sites not used in our section last night. If not you can park in overflow for $10

Site29
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Aug. 18, 2021

Nice Spot for Fishing

My family loved our weekend away at the Russian River Campground. It was super easy to make a reservation online (reserve early!), our loop was a short walk to the boardwalk to get down to the river. However, we ended up with a pull through spot that was a pain to get our rig into (26' pull behind). Luckily it was the first spot in the loop so we were able to back it in and have the door open to the footprint and the slide towards the road (friends in 69, the next spot over) had the same issue. Also, if you have a second vehicle it's going to be horrible to park at the site as well (unless you have two smaller vehicles and are tent camping). But we had a massive wheelchair friendly picnic table, a fire pit with a decent size grate and a bear box.

Site66
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Megan W., August 18, 2021
  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Megan W., August 18, 2021
Reviewed Aug. 15, 2020

This is the one

Online registration, Huge sites, Amazing views, and a well maintained campground this place has it all. And cell AND internet service. Many Alaska campers know that one bar of cell service is a luxury but being able to get your email too. This is glamping.

Tent camper please check any restrictions. This is active bear country so a hard shell vehicle is preferred.

Bring a bug screen or bug dope.

Best spots: Double - 73, 78, 88 Pull though - 66, 69, 71, and 80

  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Tanya B., August 15, 2020
  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Tanya B., August 15, 2020
  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Tanya B., August 15, 2020
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Aug. 4, 2020

One of our favorite campgrounds

Russian River is a very popular campground June-Aug...and particularly during the Red Salmon runs which start roughly the second week of June and July...and peak over a roughly two week period for each run. No hookups, but bathrooms in each campground and a dump station on the way out. Expect to see bear on the River, which runs adjacent the campground...and often times in the campground.

Reviewed Oct. 31, 2019

Perfect Fishing Campground

The Russian River Campgrounds are actually made up of five loops, King Salmon, Silver Salmon, Rainvow Trout, Red Salmon, and Steelhead. There are 4 handicapped designated spots, but each site has a picnic table and firepit. Nice separated some with views of the mountains and even a few with partial river view. Perfect fishing spot and also a nice paved home to the Russian River Falls. Watch for bears at all times and always have your fishing license on ya.

  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Shadara W., October 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Shadara W., October 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Shadara W., October 31, 2019
Reviewed Jul. 26, 2018

Perfect place!!

Sites are private a d big and shaded. Firewood for sale on site. No showers. Bear lockers at every site. Bathrooms are just pit toilets. Love this place. Short hikes to the falls and the river. Beautiful place! Saw plenty of bald eagles and a black bear by the river.

  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Dori S., July 26, 2018
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  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Dori S., July 26, 2018
Reviewed Jul. 11, 2018

GREAT SPOT!

the Russian is in high demand during the salmon run, but off season it offers a lot as well. great scenery, TONS of nature (too much sometimes if you don’t like bears) biking. the sites are set up great. enough vegetation between sites you don’t notice people are 20yds away. big picnic tables and firepits. dump and fill stations. you can run generators between 6am to 11pm. walking distance to the river. $20 a night is hard to beat for the location.

  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Jonathan B., July 11, 2018
  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Jonathan B., July 11, 2018
  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Jonathan B., July 11, 2018
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Jul. 11, 2018

GORGEOUS spot to dry camp!

This is a dry campground, so all us camper/RV folks make sure to charge your phones up before coming out! The campgrounds are in numbered groups, with sites positioned in loops on each side of the road. Far enough apart for privacy, but close enough to know if wildlife is around. We have very spotty service when we’re out here, but we don’t mind because the views are far more note worthy than our phone screens. There are water fill up stations and dump stations at every camping loop, which was very convenient. The sites are very big (room for our 26ft camper, F-250 and trailblazer to fit) with a separate open area beside it with a fire pit, picnic table, and bear proof container to place our dogs food and portable grill. Quiet hours are from 10pm-6am so we were able to run our generator long enough for our boys to watch a movie before bed. Great sites, great price, great place to fish for salmon!

Site29
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Feb. 22, 2018

Go-to for Family Fun & Fishing!

If you asked me where my favorite spot in Alaska is, I might just choose the Russian River. Whether you're into the RV life or are looking for a more rugged experience, this campground can satisfy your desires.

A quick 2 hour drive from Anchorage takes you to the campground, a well-paved and serviced series of loops that you'll always feel safe in. We personally preferred the outer edge of the Silver Salmon Loop, though we enjoyed them all. If you're a big fisher, the Red Salmon Loop is your go-to spot for easy access to the river. It isn't hard to find yourself standing with dozens of anglers in the peak season, but if you're not too competitive, theres usually a secluded spot to be found - just watch out for bears trying to swipe your catch of the day!

The grounds have easy access to a number of trails in the Chugach Forest. Try the Russian Lakes Trail if you are interested in a short hike to see salmon jump into the Russian Falls. The Angler's Trail will take you right to the Kenai-Russian River Confluence - one of the most unique sights in the world! And there's both a boat launch and Kenai River ferry nearby if you're willing to go big.

Overall, the Russian River Campground's extra amenities (parking lots, covered bathrooms, provided drinking stations) are a real perk, but you don't have to worry about losing the natural, wild beauty of the Chugach Forest and all of the wildlife that comes with.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Taylor W., February 22, 2018
  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Taylor W., February 22, 2018
Reviewed May. 10, 2017

Fisherman's paradise

We spend many days at the Russian during the peak of salmon season. When the reds (sockeye) are in, whether it be the first run or the second, the Russian River Campground is the place to be. Sites are nestled in the woods and feature a paved driveway, metal fire pits with top grate, picnic table, and large bear/animal proof lockers for food and gear. Trees and shrubs abound - no scorched earth campsites here. Some sites are singles, others doubles and a few pull-throughs for larger campers and those towing boats & toys. No water or electric hookups. Toilets and non-potable water located in each loop. FYI, this is bear country - we've had bears walk through camp and past us on the river. Read up on bear safety prior to staying at the Russian!

Sign up through Recreation.gov as soon as the registration window opens (6 months prior) since spaces fill up incredibly fast. If you're planning on fishing, try to book one of the loops closest to the Russian River or its confluence with the Kenai River. Otherwise it's quite a hike down to the water.

  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Audry P., May 10, 2017
  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Audry P., May 10, 2017
  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Audry P., May 10, 2017
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Jul. 14, 2016

Russian river camp ground alaska

Amazing weekend. Tucked back in the chugach national forest is a quiet campground that is hard to get into without prior planning. No Rv hookups but does have a dump station and potable wAter. Campsites are nicely spaced so your not camping on top of each other. Amazing fishing for trout and salmon. Lots of hiking trails and tons of tourist activities near by.

  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Ellen L., July 14, 2016
  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Ellen L., July 14, 2016
  • Review photo of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED by Ellen L., July 14, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a detailed map of Russian River Campground?

Russian River Campground is organized into five distinct loops: King Salmon, Silver Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Red Salmon, and Steelhead. The campground offers a well-designed layout with numbered sites positioned in loops on each side of the main road. Detailed maps are available at the entrance station upon arrival. For planning purposes, you can find official maps through the USFS website or by contacting the Chugach National Forest office directly. The campground's layout is designed to provide privacy between sites while maintaining accessibility to the river and trails.

Where is Russian River Campground located in Alaska?

Russian River Campground is located in Cooper Landing, Alaska, nestled within the Chugach National Forest. It's approximately a 2-hour drive from Anchorage, making it an accessible getaway from the city. The campground sits along the famous Russian River, known for its exceptional salmon fishing. This picturesque location offers stunning mountain views and serves as an excellent base for exploring the Kenai Peninsula.

What do reviews say about Russian River Campground?

Russian River Campground is highly regarded for its beautiful setting in the Chugach National Forest with spacious, private sites nestled among trees. Campers appreciate the well-maintained facilities including paved driveways, metal fire pits with grates, and picnic tables at each site. The campground is especially popular during salmon runs, offering exceptional fishing opportunities. Wildlife sightings, including bears and bald eagles, add to the authentic Alaska experience. While there are no hookups or showers (only pit toilets), the campground provides bear lockers at each site, potable water, and a dump station. Many visitors note the excellent hiking opportunities and overall scenic beauty.

Can I hike to Russian River Falls from the campground?

Yes, you can hike to Russian River Falls directly from the campground. The Falls trail is a short, accessible hike that's popular with campers. The trail features a boardwalk section leading to the river, making it relatively easy to access. Along the way, you might spot bald eagles and, during salmon season, bears fishing in the river. The Falls are a highlight of the area where visitors can watch salmon jumping upstream. Pack bear spray and follow proper wildlife safety protocols, especially during salmon runs when bear activity increases.

How much does it cost to camp at Russian River Campground?

Russian River Campground operates on a fee-based system with online reservations available. While specific fees are not detailed, expect standard Forest Service campground rates for the Alaska region. The campground is a dry camping facility with no hookups, though it does provide a dump station and potable water. For the most current fee information, check the Chugach National Forest website or recreation.gov before planning your trip. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during the peak salmon fishing season from June through August when the campground fills quickly.