Jim Creek Recreational Campground is located near the Matanuska-Susitna Valley in Alaska, featuring flat terrain with surrounding forested areas. Temperatures range from lows of 10°F in winter to highs of 70°F in summer. Visitors can explore nearby attractions such as the Knik River and the Matanuska Glacier.

The Knik River Public Use Area offers hundreds of miles of trails for exploring. The most prominent land features around here include the Knik Glacier, Knik River, Pioneer Peak, Jim Creek, Bodenburg Creek, Friday Creek, Metal Creek, and Hunter Creek. The high elevation Chugach Mountains—which form the Knik River Valley—make for a dramatic backdrop to the alluvial gravel bars and winding braids of the Knik River. Overall, the area feels rugged and remote, which is what makes it such a popular destination for campers, off-road enthusiasts, fixed-wing aviators, horseback riders, and boaters. If you’re a bird-watcher, boater, angler, or hunter, you’ll particularly love the sprawling lakes and wetlands complex on the north side of the river.

The area as a whole, though, offers a wide range of outdoor recreational pursuits, for all ages and interests. Park at the Sullivan trail head, for instance, and you can head south into the woods. Once you hit the main wide trail (you’ll recognize it!), just follow it east. That trail opens up into the Knik River gravel bed, with views of the Knik Glacier, and Chugach Mountains. For a quieter experience, explore the dozens of side-trails. You can’t go wrong: the views from any of them will lay your heart wide open.

Jim Creek Recreational Campground

Palmer is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Palmer is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Palmer and user-submitted reviews.

Palmer

The Best Camping Near Palmer, Alaska

New campground adjacent to Jim Creek ATV parking lot.  Nice long, flat RV sites with great fire pits and picnic tables.  $17 a night for Boondocking only; there are no sites with amenities.  Can ride ATVs from your site out to recreational area.

Excellent campground...Boondocking only.

Cheap at only $17 a night, great for the raceway just down the road or for accessing the ATV trails. Dry sites with fire pits and tables, all pull through sites for 1-18, 19-26 in main area off the parking lot side back up to the forest. First come first severed, no holding of sites and no cutting of trees. Pets allowed on leash. Surrounded by mountains on three side so beautiful views too.

ATV  and Raceway Camping 

This campground is on the edge of an ATV playground. With 26 campsites that are mostly pull through‘s there’s plenty of room for RVs pulling a TV trailers. The sign says that fees can be paid using the e-commerce option however there is no Jim Creek option on the website see her going to have to pay using the pay pipes. Cellphone service is decent, Internet service is spotty. Distance from Anchorage is 35 miles. The best sites are end sites closer to the bathrooms. ￼￼

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