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Campgrounds near Anchorage, Alaska range from sites with full amenities to remote wilderness areas, covering tent camping, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Chugach State Park hosts several popular options including Bird Creek Campground and Eagle River Campground, both operating from May to September with ratings above 4 stars. These locations accommodate tent camping, RVs, and some offer cabin rentals. Eklutna Lake Campground provides lakeside camping with mountain views approximately 26 miles from downtown Anchorage, while Crow Pass Cabin offers a more isolated cabin experience for those seeking solitude in the wilderness.
Access to most campgrounds varies seasonally, with many sites closed during winter months. Roads to popular areas like Eklutna Lake are paved and accessible by standard vehicles, though some remote locations require high-clearance vehicles. "About 45 minutes from Anchorage and no cell phone service. Sites are surrounded by trees and not too close together," notes one visitor about Eklutna Lake Campground. Weather conditions can change rapidly, particularly in mountain areas, and campers should prepare for rain even during summer months. Most established campgrounds require fees ranging from $14-28 per night, with some premium waterfront sites commanding higher rates. Cell service is spotty or nonexistent at many locations, particularly those farther from the city.
Wildlife viewing opportunities rank highly among camper experiences, with several reviews mentioning bear, moose, and eagle sightings. According to one visitor, "The wildlife is amazing. You can see eagles, sheep, moose, and bears (if you are lucky). Don't camp or hike without either bear spray or a gun." Campgrounds along Turnagain Arm provide opportunities for whale watching and viewing the bore tide. Sites near water bodies like Eklutna Lake offer non-motorized boating opportunities, with rentals sometimes available. Proximity to hiking trails is another common highlight, with many campgrounds serving as trailheads for day hikes or longer backcountry excursions. Campers frequently mention the balance between accessibility from Anchorage and the feeling of wilderness seclusion, with even the closest campgrounds providing a sense of escape from urban environments.
"A nice campground a short trip away from anchorage. Lots of road noise at some camp spots but it’s bearable. Good well kept grounds with lots of cute spots."
"This campground is only a short drive from Anchorage, but far enough so you feel like you are away from the hustle and bustle of town. There are great trails for hiking."
"We stayed here twice in our travels on Alaska. First appearance, the grasses are overgrown at the “entrance” and i was concerned. The fee both looks abandoned."
"Close to Anchorage, but far enough out of town to get away from the hustle. Still a slightly busy campground in summer months."
"There are two great hikes nearby within driving or walking distance. A perfect weekend getaway from Anchorage! You'll adore this beautiful spot."
"We wish we had gotten a better site, but there is plenty of hiking around to see the water and mountains."
from $23 / night
Check Availability"Centennial camp ground in Anchorage Alaska was a FAB SURPRISE!! Hidden, secret, clean, and big tent spots!"
"You do have to be sure to pack all food stuff in a secure location."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"About 45 minutes from Anchorage and no cell phone service. Sites are surrounded by trees and not too close together."
"A short drive from Anchorage, Eagle River and even Wasilla brings you to a pristine piece of nature."
from $5 - $100 / night
Check Availability"These are walk in tent sites. There are no spots for RVs or trailers. Firewood is a fun place and not too far from Anchorage."
"This place has trails that can take 30 minutes to complete up to 2 days (Crow’s Pass) with a views that can’t be seen anywhere else. There’s Alaska pretty and then there’s this place."
"A great spot to chill for the weekend but still be close to base life. Great for veterans who want a base to explore Anchorage or visit family. Playground for the kids, showers, dump and full hookups."
"The bathhouse is super clean, there's dumpsters close by, spaces are decently sized with a picnic table and charcoal grill set up, and trees offer some privacy."
from $12 - $33 / night
Check Availability"Park is located within a couple miles of downtown, across street from Costco, and adjacent to a large run down mobile home neighborhood."
"All the shows you see on t.v that look like "wild Alaska".. this is it!! If you choose to start the Girdwood side you will travel south via Glenn Highway from Anchorage approx 45 minutes."
from $75 / night
Check Availability
ScoutThere's probably around 30 sites here they are not numbered they are somewhat private separated by trees and brush and some of them are right next to the river there is no tables fire rings are made of rocks not very well maintained some not to level
GuideClose to road so easy access. Water pump. Vault toilets. On lake summit
LegendGeneral: 83-site Good Sam RV park, plus 15 long-term sites. 72 are pull-through; the rest are back-in.
Site Quality: Roads are gravel, but sites are on grass. The grass was a bit high in our site (22). Sites are close together with no separation, as is typical of Alaska RV parks.
Bath/Shower: Six all-in-one units with sink, toilet, and shower. Clean but NO SOAP in any of the bathrooms.
Activities/Amenities: Spacious laundry room ($4/wash; $2 for dryer, but I needed two cycles of the dryer). Quarters are available in the office. There is a reservable covered pavilion. Dog walk area. Propane fill available. Cell service is limited (Verizon), and I was not able to connect to the WiFi in our campsite (I believe you could in the laundry room).
This is fairly typical of RV parks we have found in Alaska. It really annoyed me that there was no soap in the bathrooms; I am not in the habit of bringing soap with me when I go to the bathroom; this deducted a star in my review.
GuideTent sites up to a few larger RV sites. 3 miles up a dirt road. Historic mine next door where you can pan for gold. 28-30' is probably the largest rig you want to take there. No walk ins, online reservation only.
GuideThe campground is clean and has nice grass, flowers and shrubs separating the rows of campers. Grass pads so get on an open to the sky site for sun and wind to keep it dry. Good potable water, dump for $6. Bathhouse leaves a lot to be desired. I couldn’t take a shower in there it was so flooded and muddy.
GuideOnly accepts cash. Must be bear aware. Bears every time we’ve been there. Would not recommend soft side campers or tents. Use available bear proof food safes.
LegendIt's apparent that at one time this was a very nice campground. Unfortunately it has fallen into disrepair and is showing its neglect.
Perhaps the biggest problem with this campsite is how close it is to the main Highway and the amount of road noise.
As for the rest I will let the pictures and video speak for themselves.
GuideEnjoyed our stay here. Sites are all pull through turnouts and 40 have full hookups including sewer. Another 5 in the back have water and electric and also several tent sites. Sites are fairly level and you face the woods which is an enjoyable view. Each site has a picnic table and grill. Some sites bigger, some smaller and all fairly close together, sharing the sides of the gravel road.
Mosquitoes were out and about but also saw a lot of small wildlife and birds. And even small black bear ran across the road the day we pulled in.
Highly recommend if you’re able to get on base and need a stopover with full hookups. n
LegendA quiet exceptionally well maintained small private campground. Conveniently located just outside Palmer Alaska, it is a perfect stopover location.
Both the bath and laundry rooms are clean and well maintained. As of the writing of this review showers are $5 and laundry is $5 per load. The charge for both laundry and showers is done on the honor System and users are requested to go to the check encounter to pay for use after the fact. It should also be noted that due to the size of his campground the bathrooms are co-ed. This is not a political statement but rather a simple logistical fact. Parents with children are very strongly encouraged to go with them to the bathroom to avoid any unfortunate embarrassing situations.
As for the rest of this review, I believe pictures are worth a thousand words. Please see attached.
Camping spots near Anchorage, Alaska range from public campgrounds to secluded wilderness areas within a 45-minute drive of the city. Winter temperatures often drop below 0°F, while summer highs typically reach 65-75°F with 16-20 hours of daylight. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 300-1,200 feet and many don't take reservations during shoulder seasons.
Hiking accessible trails: At Eagle River Campground, multiple trails follow the campground and river. "Beautiful location on River. ADA accessibility. Dump station on site. Restrooms available. There is a fee and a limit on how long you can stay. It was 4 days when we were there. Trails are nearby and fishing opportunities," notes Lisa S.
Biking along scenic paths: Bird Creek offers excellent cycling opportunities. "Situated right along Bird Creek bike path this is a great place to stay if you love to ride your bike. Whale watching and fishing are also two things to help pass the time," reports Shadara W.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Eklutna Lake Campground provides excellent wildlife spotting. "This is a great place to see bears! Moose.... Foxes. The waters are clear and the landscape is so lush. There are a ton of flies though in the summer. Especially next to all this water. Mosquitos are aggressive at night," cautions Carly S.
Kayaking and water activities: Eklutna Lake Campground offers water sports on glacier-fed waters. "Trails to hike or play on the lake! This campground is situated with access to Eklunta Lake and boy is that perfect. Tons of campsites to choose from both double, single and handicapped. First come, first served," explains Shadara W.
Secluded forest sites: Many campers appreciate the natural setting at Eagle River. "Large campground with paved roads. Lots are spread out well and it is fairly comfortable and quite. Multiple trails travel along the campground and the river. Beautiful Alaskan experience right next to Alaska's largest city," shares Andrew R.
Proximity to towns: Porcupine Campground provides easy access to the small town of Hope. "Great views, great spots, perfect for Gull Rock Hike!" says Lauren T. Another camper noted, "Great place for side trips. We went the last weekend of the season and the bugs were still pretty thick."
Cabin alternatives to tent camping: Bird Creek Campground offers cabin rentals for those seeking more shelter. "Bird Creek camp/RV/Cabin site is a beautiful 25 minute journey south of Anchorage. Far enough away but close enough to town if you feel the need to get back to the city. We rented a cabin 95$ a night... there is a small wood stove and wood supplied for each cabin which was amazing!" shares Aimee H.
Well-maintained facilities: Girdwood Campground gets high marks for upkeep. "Small private walk up sites. Parking is close. There is a large common area for a camp fire and covered picnic tables. I enjoyed the common areas as that facilitates meeting new people," writes Kamicia M.
Seasonal closures and weather: Most campgrounds near Anchorage operate May through September. "This campground has 22 sites and 2 public use cabins. There's bathrooms but no showers. We stayed during the off season so we ended up in the camp host site accidentally since it was one of the few that wasn't still covered in snow," reports Elizabeth G. about Bird Creek.
Reservations and availability: Popular sites fill quickly in summer. "Great to have a place so close to town just to stop for an overnight. Get there early for a spot on the weekends. Sites are small for the most part, better for RVs or a small tent. Some traffic noise throughout," advises Liz S.
Road noise considerations: Several campgrounds near major roads experience traffic noise. "Individual camp sites do not have fire rings and the camp sites are close together. Right next to the road so road noise was an issue," notes Brendon B. about Girdwood Campground.
Insect preparedness: Mosquitoes are prevalent throughout the region. "There are a ton of flies though in the summer. Especially next to all this water. Mosquitos are aggressive at night," warns one camper about Eklutna Lake.
Playground access: Black Spruce Campground offers facilities for children. "There's a playground for the kids, a bike path that can be taken to the shopette or one of the neighborhood playgrounds. Close to the hospital, PX/commissary, and the Muldoon gate," mentions Megan W.
Pet-friendly options: Most campgrounds allow pets but require leashes. "Camp ground was spacious and very quite. It was a rainy and windy weekend and we still had fun. Rode our bikes down the lake side trial, people were nice and respectful. Also the dogs and kids love playing on the beach," says Sara H. about Eklutna Lake.
Safety considerations: Wildlife encounters require preparation. "I bring a bug net for my head too, this way when they are extremely bad, I can still enjoy being outside. The hiking trails are absolutely beautiful!! Watch for Moose. Look up every so often because there are also bald eagles around," advises Melisa A.
Common areas for group activities: Girdwood Campground offers shared spaces. "There is a large common area for a camp fire and covered picnic tables. I enjoyed the common areas as that facilitates meeting new people," notes one camper.
Hook-up availability: Most campgrounds offer limited or no hookups. "Electric, water and dump. Bathrooms barely adequate, dirty, wet floors, hard to use showers. Combination door lock which was changed mid stay to keep out the homeless. Overall I would stay here again given the location and low price $35 electric," says Jerry G. about Centennial Campground.
Dump station locations: Several campgrounds provide sanitary dumps. "Located around 5 minutes to Eagle River. Beautiful location on River. ADA accessibility. Dump station on site. Restrooms available," notes Lisa S.
Size restrictions: Many sites can't accommodate larger rigs. "Campsites are pretty spaced. You get a picnic table and a fire ring for 20 bucks a night. Yes, there is road noise but that does calm down at night. Pit toilets around, clean and stocked. No water, so bring some," advises Lisa F.
Off-season access: Some RV parks remain open year-round. "Two sides. Side B caters to Caravan groups and high end rigs. Side A is more truck campers, smaller campers and long term stays. Good on site laundry," reports Karl W. about Golden Nugget RV Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds in and around Anchorage, Alaska?
The Anchorage area offers excellent camping options within a short drive from the city. Bird Creek Campground is just a short trip from Anchorage with well-maintained grounds, hiking trails, and beautiful views of Turnagain Arm where you might spot belugas. Another top choice is Girdwood Campground, which features walk-in tent sites in a stunning location not far from Anchorage. Stop at Potters Marsh on your way for birdwatching. For those seeking options closer to town, Centennial Campground provides convenient access while still offering a natural setting. Most of these campgrounds operate seasonally from May through September, with peak season in June-August when reservations are highly recommended.
What campgrounds north of Anchorage offer the best wilderness experience?
North of Anchorage, Road camping Willow-Fishook Road offers an authentic wilderness experience with numerous roadside options including riverside camping and wooded areas. This dispersed camping route connects to Hatcher Pass, providing flexibility for different vehicle sizes and camping styles. For a more established option, Eagle River Campground in Chugach State Park delivers wilderness immersion while still being accessible. The campground features reservable sites with basic amenities like water and toilets. Both areas showcase Alaska's stunning mountain terrain and provide opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking, and fishing. Be prepared for variable weather conditions and bring appropriate gear for wilderness camping, including bear-safe food storage containers.
Are there campgrounds with lakes near Anchorage for fishing and water activities?
Eklutna Lake Campground is the premier lakeside camping destination near Anchorage, located about 45 minutes from the city. The pristine lake offers excellent opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The campground features sites surrounded by trees with reasonable privacy. Both RV and tent sites are available, including some walk-in options for those seeking more seclusion. Another option is Fox Run Lodge & RV Campground, which offers lakeside tent spots along with full RV hookups and cabins. While right off the highway, it provides easy lake access for water activities. Both locations are typically open from May through September, with Eklutna notably having no cell service for a true disconnect.
Do campgrounds in Anchorage provide shower facilities and other amenities?
Amenities vary widely across Anchorage-area campgrounds. Mountain View RV Park offers comprehensive facilities including showers, laundry, picnic tables at each site, Wi-Fi, and full hookups, though at a higher price point ($45/night for two people). Williwaw Campground provides more basic amenities in a scenic setting, but doesn't feature showers. For RV travelers, Golden Nugget RV Park includes full hookups, showers, and toilets, making it suitable for those seeking more comfort. Public campgrounds like Black Spruce typically offer vault toilets and potable water but lack shower facilities. If showers are essential, private RV parks generally provide the best options, while state and forest service campgrounds focus more on natural settings with basic amenities.
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