Exit Glacier Campground, near Seward, Alaska, is a fantastic place for those seeking a slice of wilderness close to stunning glacial views. This small, secluded campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis, allowing you to set up camp in a peaceful environment, often with just a few fellow campers around.

The campground offers basic amenities like clean vault toilets and a communal cooking area, making it easy to prepare meals while enjoying the great outdoors. Visitors have praised the quiet atmosphere, with one camper noting, “The weather was often much milder at the campground than in town.” Just a short hike away, you can explore the breathtaking Exit Glacier, which is accessible for all ages and abilities.

For those who enjoy a bit of adventure, there are plenty of activities nearby, including hiking trails and opportunities for kayaking and ice climbing. The communal fire pit and food storage area add a nice touch for socializing with fellow campers. Just remember to bring bug spray, as the mosquitoes can be relentless! Whether you're looking to relax or get your adrenaline pumping, Exit Glacier Campground is a great base for your Alaskan adventures.

Exit Glacier has a 12-site, walk-in, tent-campground. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no reservations or camping fees. There is a fourteen-day stay limit. The campground frequently fills by early evening in July and August. A central food storage, cooking and dining shelter is provided. Cooking and/or storing food in campsites is prohibited. There is a pump for drinking water and pit toilets are available. Pets are not permitted in campsites.

Exit Glacier Campground — Kenai Fjords National Park

Looking for the best campgrounds near Seward, AK? Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Seward, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Discover great camping spots near Seward, reviewed by campers like you.

Seward

The Best Camping Near Seward, Alaska

Camped out by Exit Glacier and was not disappointed! Would have been nice to have some more options for showering, but all in all, I love this location! The sound of the river is close enough to make you think you're floating down stream!

LOVE LOVE!

Exit Glacier Campground is a good spot to set-up if you want to take your time at Exit Glacier.  This is a TENT ONLY campground with only a handful of sites (12). They do not take reservations and all of the spots are on a first come first serve.  We had no problem getting a spot the day we were there, however, we visited on a Tuesday. I would recommend if you want a spot hit up the campground prior to visiting the Exit Glacier vistors center and doing any of the activities in the area.  If you are on the Kenai Pennisula, Exit Glacier is a must visit in my mind, especially if you are looking for great hikes and the ability to get up close to a glacier.  The Campground itself is nothing special, but it is the only one close to Exit Glacier.  It has a large walk in bear locker, which you have to use in this area, vault toilets and a water pump with drinkable water.  The bear lockers are key, because we heard of two cars broken into in the couple of days we were there.  The tent spots are fairly spread out and private with a few of the sites closer to the river/glacier runoff which make for the best views.  The campground is just down the road from the Exit Glacier parking lot and visitors center.  If you have time one of my favorite hikes of all times is the Harding Ice field Trail that runs along the glacier and up to the Harding Ice Field.  It is an 8.2 mile round-trip but the elevation gain makes it strenuous (1,000 feet per mile). Plan for about 8 hours to really enjoy the views.

Good Camping, Great Hiking

Sites are wooded or pretty open and close to the glacier, mountains, and water. Lots of wildlife in the area (moose, porcupines, eagles, and more) and wildflowers! There's nothing like seeing a glacier at sunrise, worth the short hike from your tent. National Park-level campground is clean, safe, and absolutely lovely. If possible, go on one of the boat tours in the area to see whales, puffins, sea birds, otters, sea lions, etc! Best trip ever. All tents! No reservations so get there mid-afternoon to secure a spot. Close to Seward for dining, supplies, ice, etc. 

Kenai beauty, perfect mountain meets the sea area

Short drive from Seward (which has grocery, general store, etc) and you're at this glacier with hiking and a small primitive campground. Walking around the park really hits you how bad climate change is. Our camp site was shady and forested. I bet this fills up quick in the summer. Just a great place to get outdoors without going too far from civilization. Would return. 

Can't get better close to a town

This campground is clean and tidy, has a wonderful mountain view, and it's free! Park rangers patrol regularly, which is both a nuisance (when they woke my husband asking him if he had food in his tent) and an excellent safety feature considering how frequently bears are encountered in the area. Dogs are not allowed in the campground (rangers enforce this) but can be in the parking lot and in your car.

Excellent free campground

Great and unique campground with glacier views.  Tents only and campground is clean and well  maintained.  Can be busy, but generally not to bad.  Nice little hike out to the glacier or longer hikes up to the ice field if you want.  Be bear aware, especially with food as there is lots of wildlife in the area.  Close enough to Seward, but a ways down the road so a vehicle is recommended as the campground is a ways from town.  Easy enough for a day trip into Seward tho for water activities, beach, brewery, etc. 

Campground with Glacier Views

I'm totally obsessed with this campground. It is beautiful. Great campsites for RVs and tents. So much to do here activity wise too. Went kayaking and ice climbing. Such a great location. It is also right on the inlet. So pretty as the sun sets. Lots of glaciers and snow caps. 

Ice Climbing & Kayaking

After hiking the Harding ice field, I camped here. It was perfect! Prime location after a long hike, clean & free. 

Convenient, Free, Clean & GREAT location 

This is one of the most beautiful places on earth! Nothing beats camping near a glacier!

Magical 

Exit glacier is an amazing destination for all ages and capabilities. Although dogs are not welcome on the hike, it is short enough that you won’t be missed long. If you can’t do much hiking, the path is paved to a viewing point but you can still get extrordinarily close without any extreme terrain. I visit almost every year while visiting family and reccomend it to anyone coming from out of state. A lot of Alaska’s glaciers are hard to access but this one isn’t! 

Accesible and Amazing

This would be a terrific walk in tent site option to try out. Exit glacier is beautiful with nice trails. My 5 and 7 year olds did the walk just fine from parking lot to the glacier (maybe 20 min). There is a one mile wheelchair accessible trail loop with views of the glacier. There are two accessible camp sites. You are not allowed to store food at your campsite but there is a communial storage area for these items. There are vaulted toilets and a cooking area to use.

Stay and Play

This is a nice little walk in campground. The sites aren't very far from the car and the food storage/shelter/eating area isn't far from the car either. The further in you camp, the more privacy you score and the furthest away ends up by the gravel bar with the braided river lulling you to sleep. There wasn't any wind and the mosquitos were INSANE! Bring your bugspray and a headnet. The campground was having a problem with bears in the area. The bear storage bin had recently been attacked sporting huge dents and claw scratches.

Lovely little campground! 

Really nice

Stayed here on my big Alaska trip. Really not much to it, but it was a super nice place to stay. I think there was only around 15 sites or so, and they are first come first served. There were some toilets and food storage. We were just passing through but it was a great place to stay for the night. Make sure to check out the exit glacier trail not too far from there. We also took a little day cruise in Seward which was a ton of fun. I would definitely recommend something like that. This was a great stop on our trip!

Primitive but gets the job done 

Camping is free and no registration required, just set up in an open spot. Spots are secluded and spaced far apart. Sites are nothing but a gravel pad. A communal cooking, fire, and food storage area is provided. Non-potable well water. Clean vault toilets. Very quiet. The weather was often much milder at the campground than in town. 

Quiet Seclusion

Stayed here in June and it was beyond amazing. Small secluded campground. First come first serve basis. Only one other camper here. Small communal fire pit and food storage. 

Photos of Exit Glacier Campground — Kenai Fjords National Park

Real photos from real campers