Fishing the Kenai River draws most campers to Centennial Park & Campground, and the setup here makes that easy. The campground sits directly on the river in Soldotna, with a boardwalk running alongside the water, metal stair access points leading down to the bank, fish cleaning stations, and designated handicap fishing spots. Sites are wooded and spread out enough that, as one reviewer noted, you're not crowded against your neighbor, and the green, vegetated character of the grounds sets it apart from the gravel-lot feel common at many RV-friendly campgrounds.
June and July bring heavy crowds. This is "combat fishing" season on the Kenai, when shoulder-to-shoulder anglers line the bank and walk-in spots fill fast. The campground takes no reservations, so arriving early matters. September sees significantly fewer people, with the occasional silver salmon still running, and the overall pace slows considerably. Aimee H. describes the boardwalk as feeling "like your walking on water," which gives a sense of how close the river actually is to camp.
Beyond fishing, the campground has a trail system along the river, a playground, and a boat launch. Firewood is available on-site, reportedly sold in generous bundles for around $6. The grounds are municipally managed, and staff keep the place well-maintained. No running showers are available on-site, but a laundromat sits about five minutes away in town, and downtown Soldotna is within walking distance for resupply. Campers exploring the area can also find campgrounds around Soldotna if Centennial fills up, including nearby options like River Terrace Campground and Klondike RV Park & Cottages.
Electric hookups are available, along with drinking water, picnic tables, a dump station, and WiFi. Nightly rates run $21 to $26, with military discounts offered. Dogs are welcome, though the grated sections of the boardwalk have given some pets trouble. For the best combination of river access and manageable crowds, early September is worth considering.
Description
Centennial Campground is located in east Anchorage near downtown and the Glenn Highway, an ideal jumping off point for Alaska travelers. The campground has 84 sites (21 RV with electricity; 20 RV non-electric; 42 RV/tent; and two group sites), and is an excellent place to begin an Alaska adventure. Be sure to stop by the historic log cabin office for information and updates, and to say hello to the season's hosts.
Map & DirectionsCentennial Park & Campground is located in Alaska near Soldotna
Directions
From jct Kenai Spur Rd & Hwy 1 (Sterling Hwy Mile Post 94.2): Go 2 mi S on Hwy 1, then 500 feet W on Kalifornsky, then 1/4 mi N on Centennial Park Rd.
Coordinates
60.47931411 N
151.09644696 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 9/3/26
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 9/3/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 9/3/26
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 9/3/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- WiFi
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Pull-Through Sites









