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Established Camping

Black Bear Campground — Chugach National Forest

7 Reviews

Black Bear Campground, near Portage Valley, Alaska, is a cozy spot that offers a unique blend of nature and adventure. With only a handful of sites, it’s perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy some peace and quiet in the woods.

The campground is surrounded by stunning scenery, including access to the Trail of Blue Ice, making it a great base for hiking and exploring. Visitors have noted the clean facilities, including restrooms that are serviced regularly, which adds to the overall comfort of your stay. One camper mentioned, “The campground backs up against the Trail of Blue Ice and has easy access to all the Portage Valley has to offer.”

While the sites are spacious, be prepared for some road noise, as it can echo off the valley walls. The area is also known for its wildlife, with bears occasionally passing through, adding a bit of excitement to your camping experience. As one reviewer put it, “We did have a bear come through one night, but we were able to see him.”

For those traveling with kids, there are trails for biking and a nearby river for some rock-throwing fun. Plus, you’re just a short drive from the Whittier tunnel and the Wildlife Conservation Center, where you can get up close with Alaska's majestic animals. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer stay, Black Bear Campground offers a great mix of relaxation and adventure in the heart of nature.

Description

USDA Forest 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. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.

Recreation

Wildlife viewing includes moose, brown and black bears, mountain goats, lynx, bald eagles, and salmon. The Trail of Blue Ice that stretches almost the entire length of Portage Valley can be reached from the campground. From this trail you can acces the Williwaw Nature Trail, Williwaw Fish Viewing Platform, Moose Flats Area, Begich Boggs Visitor Center, Byron Glacier Trail, and Portage Glacier Cruises. Portage Lake, at the head of the valley, allows access for kayaking and packrafting.__

Facilities

Wildlife viewing includes moose, brown and black bears, mountain goats, lynx, bald eagles, and salmon. The Trail of Blue Ice that stretches almost the entire length of Portage Valley can be reached from the campground. From this trail you can acces the Williwaw Nature Trail, Williwaw Fish Viewing Platform, Moose Flats Area, Begich Boggs Visitor Center, Byron Glacier Trail, and Portage Glacier Cruises. Portage Lake, at the head of the valley, allows access for kayaking and packrafting.__

Natural Features

Black Bear campground sits in the stunning Portage Valley in the Chugach National Forest.

Nearby Attractions

Begich Boggs Visitor Center lies at the head of Portage Valley where you can learn about glaciers and Alaska. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is located on near the intersect of the Seward Higway and Portage Highway. Here you can see all different kinds of Alaskan wildlife. Portage Glacier Cruises offers the chance to ride a boat and get up close to Portage Glacier.__

contact_info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (907) 782-3242.

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Location

Black Bear Campground — Chugach National Forest is located in Alaska

Detail location of campground

Directions

At mile post 78.9 of the Seward Highway, turn onto the Portage Highway. Drive 3.7 miles and the Black Bear Campground will be on your right.__

Coordinates

60.788454 N
148.888759 W

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7 Reviews

Tanya B.
Reviewed Aug. 23, 2020

Warnings: wind, water, and wildlife

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  

  • Review photo of Black Bear Campground — Chugach National Forest by Tanya B., August 23, 2020
  • Review photo of Black Bear Campground — Chugach National Forest by Tanya B., August 23, 2020
  • Review photo of Black Bear Campground — Chugach National Forest by Tanya B., August 23, 2020
  • (8) View All
Shadara W.
Reviewed Aug. 26, 2019

Beautiful Fun

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.

  • Review photo of Black Bear Campground — Chugach National Forest by Shadara W., August 26, 2019
  • Review photo of Black Bear Campground — Chugach National Forest by Shadara W., August 26, 2019
  • Review photo of Black Bear Campground — Chugach National Forest by Shadara W., August 26, 2019
  • (4) View All
A
Reviewed Jun. 28, 2018

Great campground. Heavily treed

This is our go to campground every summer. There are restrooms, water, trash cans, bear proof food boxes. Sites are spacious.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Black Bear Campground — Chugach National Forest by April E., June 28, 2018
Audry P.
Reviewed May. 30, 2017

Adequate campground

If you're camping in Portage Valley, expect rain! This whole area (Portage and Girdwood) is classified as a rain forest so everything is wet most of the time. It's a few miles down the road (on the right) leading to Portage Glacier and Whittier. The campground is small with only about 11 sites, and the road/pads are not paved. Each site has a campfire ring and wooden picnic tables - most are pretty mossy! Hand pump for water is available. Sites are fairly close together and I wouldn't recommend them for larger campers or motorhomes. No camp host at this site. Head on over the Williwaw Salmon Viewing Area when the fish are running. And check out the Begich-Boggs Visitors Center to learn all about glaciers, local wildlife and history of the Portage area. If you can't get into Williwaw (just down the road) then this is a good alternative.

Site6
Month of VisitMay
Amy B.
Reviewed Jul. 3, 2016

Great for kids

This is a nice place to get away with the kids.there are trails to ride bikes and play in the river. Kids like to throw rocks in the water

  • Review photo of Black Bear Campground — Chugach National Forest by Amy B., July 3, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

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