Bartlett Cove Campground, near Glacier Bay National Park, is a stunning location that offers a unique camping experience right along the shoreline. This spot is perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in nature, with walk-in sites that provide a remote feel while still being close to the Visitor Center.

The campground features 36 individual sites, each just a short trek from the parking area. Visitors appreciate the rustic charm, as there are no picnic tables or fire rings, but composting toilets are available for convenience. As one camper noted, “This campsite had so much character,” making it an ideal introduction to backcountry camping for both kids and adults.

Wildlife is abundant here, and the surrounding temperate rainforest is a treat for nature lovers. Campers often mention the breathtaking views and the chance to see various critters, from sea otters to bald eagles. Plus, the park offers ranger programs and kayak rentals, allowing you to explore the bay and its stunning scenery. Just remember to bring your own supplies, as options in nearby Gustavus are limited.

For those planning to cook, meals must be prepared on the rocky beach to avoid attracting bears, so a rain fly is a smart addition to your gear. With its beautiful setting and the thrill of adventure, Bartlett Cove Campground is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to experience the wild side of Alaska.

The National Park Service maintains a free walk-in campground in Bartlett Cove. The campground features bear-proof food caches, a fire-pit and warming shelter (with firewood provided) located in a very scenic setting along the shore, 1/4 mile south of the Bartlett Cove dock. Stays are limited to 14 days

Bartlett Cove Campground — Glacier Bay National Park

Are you in need of a campground near Gustavus, AK? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Alaska camping adventure.

Gustavus

The Best Camping Near Gustavus, Alaska

This is a walk-in campground and there are wheel barrows provided for use to haul gear from the parking lot (about 1/4 mile). There is filtered water and restrooms available by the backcountry office where you obtain your free permit, but there is no running water in the campground. There are 3 caches to store food and scented items in. There are 2  outhouses and a composting toilet. Firewood is provided for use in the warming shelter or the fire ring on the beach. It is located in a temperate rainforest, so bring your rain gear! Upon arrival you should go to the backcountry office to get a permit and attend an orientation about general regulations and about staying safe in bear country.

A Walk in the Rainforest

Great primitive campground a short walk (less than 1/2 mile) from the parking lot. Due to all the bear activity, you need to attend an “orientation” by the rangers to learn how to safely camp in this park, including using a quaint food cache cabin, where you’re allowed to eat, etc. There is no water but there are vault toilets. This is the only place to camp here (most stay in the cabins/lodge) and one of my favorite places I’ve ever been. 


Glacier Bay primitive campsite 

Almost 90% of Glacier Bay visitors never step foot on the land; they simply visit by cruise ship, so being able to camp in this lush and rugged park was a real treat.

At the campsites, the trees were dripping with green mosses and vegetation. The provided wooden food caches made us feel secure, and the proximity to the national park could not be beat.

Since you cannot drive to this park, it was important to us to stay very close by. The lodge also provides accommodation, but the free campground cannot be beat. A free permit is required, which includes a 30-minute camper orientation that ensures you follow all the safety guidelines (such as cooking and eating out on the rocks at low tide, storing food in provided caches, etc.)

We were pleased with how much there was to do at this seemingly empty park: an array of ranger programs, kayak rentals, hiking trails, and great views of the bay from all around.

We didn’t attend the Day Cruise from the lodge, but we thought the one-day kayak rental was completely worth the cost. During our day on the water, we saw whales breaching (about a dozen times!), sea otters, sea lions, dozens of bald eagles, and brown bears on the coast. We were blown away by the wildlife.

You can read much more about our three days in the park on our blog: [Switchback Kids (Glacier Bay)](http://switchbackkids.com/glacier-bay/)

See Glacier Bay on a Budget

Beautiful place in Glacier Bay with lots of critters, historic cabin, views, trails, etc. This isn’t car camping since you have to walk less than a mile from the parking lot to the campsite. Make sure to bring everything you need, including water and bear protection, and definitely stop into the ranger station to learn bear safety and to secure your spot. This campsite had so much character. I think it’d be a great way to introduce kids or adults to backpacking, it adds some backcountry feel but you’re not all that far from your car and civilization if needed. Highly recommended!

Mini backpacking camping 

Abundance of wildlife. Trails to hike. What an amazing place to visit.

BEAUTIFUL! 

This “semi-developed” campground in the park at Bartlett Cove near the Visitor’s Center is simply stunning. Campsites are free but require a permit and short briefing at the Visitor’s Center on the backcountry bear protocol. The campground has 36 individual walk-in sites (3-group sites) and the closest are around 1/4 miles from the parking lot. The park provides wheelbarrows to help tote your camping gear to the site. I point this out because we waited until arriving at the Visitor’s Center to prep our gear and food for our sea kayak trip and the distance from our campsite and parking lot required a lot of schlepping gear, food and many, many steps. It did, however, contribute to the remote feel of the campground. 

  

The campsites themselves, are simply bare spots on which to pitch your tent – no picnic tables or fire rings, but there are composting toilets in the campground.  No sites in the park can accommodate camping from your vehicle or trailer, though there is at least 1 small RV park in Gustavus about 10 miles away. 

  

Supplies and food should be brought with you, as the options for purchasing in Gustavus are limited. The park gift shop as well as the town’s general store does sell camping fuel in the small and green canisters – these cannot be brought on any airplane if you fly in.  At the campground, all food needs to be prepared and consumed on the rocky beach, in the intertidal zone, away from the camping area so that all food smells and debris are carried away by the water and do not attract bear curiosity. Regardless of the weather, you must cook here so bringing a small rain fly is a good idea. Food must be stored in the food cache shelters scattered along the trail winding through the campsite. 

  

As the weather can be cold and rainy anytime during the summer the park provides warming huts which are 3 sided shelters with wood stoves that a perfect place to hang out, dry off and warm up. Firewood is both copious and free. No food consumption or preparation should be done in these shelters. Back Country camping is available anywhere within the park except areas that are closed. Rangers will provide information on campsite selection as well as a lot of other information in the mandatory backcountry briefing held twice a day(10am&amp; 6pm at the Visitor's Center).

  

Check out our video of our backcountry experience in Glacier Bay here:  https://youtu.be/bYmf6GKT5kA

Photos of Bartlett Cove Campground — Glacier Bay National Park

Real photos from real campers