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.

## Overview

 Beginning Aug. 15, 2024, the Russian River Campground will be closed to the Public for construction. Construction crews will rebuild and widen one mile of the access road, making it more stable and resistant to frost heaves. During the closure, all vehicle and pedestrian access will be restricted and campground reservations on Recreation.gov will be unavailable. The Forest Service anticipates the first day for reservation arrivals will be June 5, 2025. \_\_Russian River Campground is perched between the Russian and Kenai Rivers in south-central Alaska. It lies within driving distance of two main population centers, 110 miles south of Anchorage and 40 miles east of Soldotna, surrounded by the Chugach National Forest and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Each year, this area is visited by over 100,000 people who recreate at the Russian River Campground, Ferry Access Site, Sportsman's Boat Launch, Russian Lakes Trail and K'beq Site. Hiking, biking and fishing are popular pastimes. 
## Recreation

 The Russian River is the most popular sockeye salmon stream in Alaska and a top-rated spot for rainbow trout. Retention of sockeye salmon is legal from June 11th to August 20th. Silver salmon can be retained from July 1st to September 30th. Trout can be retained from June 11th through April 30th. Anglers are required to have a State of Alaska Fishing license and obey all regulations and emergency orders. Kenai Peninsula is also a hiker's paradise, boasting hundreds of miles of maintained trails. The following two trails are accessible from the campground. The Russian Lakes Trail begins in the campground, and is the most popular trail on the Chugach National Forest. Most hikers travel only 2.3 miles to Russian River Falls where a viewing platform allows views of leaping salmon. More ambitious hikers and backpackers can travel another 19 miles past two lakes to the Upper Trailhead on Snug Harbor Rd. Along the trail, three public use cabins can be reserved; Barber Cabin, Aspen Flats Cabin and Upper Russian Lake Cabin. The Angler's Trail also begins in the Russian River Campground and travels 1.25 miles from the Russian River Canyon to the Kenai-Russian River Confluence. Along the way, 22 sustainable river access points allow anglers to enter the Russian River. At the confluence, hardy anglers can cross the Russian River (hip-waders recommended) and continue along the Kenai River, where another 15 access points are located. Staircases lead to this trail from campground loops as well as day use parking lots.
## Natural Features

 The campground sits at an elevation of 400 feet on the Eastern Kenai Peninsula in the Chugach National Forest. The forest, spanning more than 5 million acres, is comprised of jagged mountains, deep fjords and glacier-fed rivers. 
## Contact Info

 For local information, please call (907) 522-8368 or call (907) 288-3178 for general information. 
## Nearby Attractions

 Resurrection Pass Trail: This trail climbs from 500 to 2,600 feet over 38 miles. It connects the towns Hope and Cooper Landing via a historic route. Russian River Ferry: The ferry transports anglers across the Kenai River. Sportsman's Boat Launch: The boat launch provides boat access to the Kenai River. K'beq Interpretive Site: At this site, tribal members share traditions, stories and culture with visitors through interpretive walks featuring archeological sites, traditional plant use, informational signs, and artifacts. The gift shop features Native art.

Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Cooper Landing. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Cooper Landing, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Cooper Landing camping trip.

Cooper Landing

The Best Camping Near Cooper Landing, 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.

Russian river camp ground alaska

Wow! A majestic and beautiful place. The only downside is that there is always a lot of people. Fishing here is top notch and we have seen bears on several of our trips (so be prepared;) 

Russian River great fishing and lots of wildlife!

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.

Fisherman's paradise

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.

Go-to for Family Fun & Fishing!

We enjoyed a pull through site with a short hike the the famed russian river.

Great access to fishing 

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!

GORGEOUS spot to dry camp!


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. 

GREAT SPOT!

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.

Perfect place!!

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.

Perfect Fishing Campground

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. 

One of our favorite campgrounds 

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

This is the one

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. 

Photos of Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

Real photos from real campers