Best Glamping near Anchorage, AK

Eagle River Nature Center in Chugach State Park houses public use yurts and glamping cabins accessible by scenic hiking trails year-round. Located just outside Anchorage, these accommodations blend wilderness experience with comfort, featuring amenities like wood-burning stoves, comfortable sleeping areas, and picnic tables. The glamping facilities at Centennial Campground provide electric hookups, on-site showers, and toilet facilities for a more connected experience. Historic Hope Cafe & Campground offers glamping options with electric hookups, drinking water, and firewood availability. "Well maintained trails but a walk to the cabin or yurts. Accessible by foot year around... Loved the hikes so much we decided to rent the cabin for my birthday."

Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout these Alaska glamping destinations, with bears and moose frequently spotted near the accommodations. South Rolly Lake Campground provides boat access and firewood for glampers, while Eklutna Lake Campground features market access along with electric and sewer hookups for a more comfortable wilderness experience. Eagle River's proximity to flowing water adds to the natural ambiance, with fishing opportunities just steps from some glamping sites. Visitors should note most glamping facilities operate seasonally from May through September, with some requiring advance reservations. According to a camper, "This campground is nice, picturesque, and spacious. Lots of trees for privacy! We like it because it's close to home and a town, so a morning trip to get coffee is not out of the question."

Best Glamping Sites Near Anchorage, Alaska (14)

    1. Eagle River Campground — Chugach State Park

    33 Reviews
    Eagle River, AK
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 694-7982

    "Great spot close to our home of Anchorage for when we don't want to go too far. Large pavillion great for get-togethers right along the river and includes it's own bathroom."

    "River is very fast, so advise watching pets and children carefully. Close to Anchorage, but far enough out of town to get away from the hustle. Still a slightly busy campground in summer months."

    2. Eklutna Lake Campground — Chugach State Park

    40 Reviews
    Chugiak, AK
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 345-5014

    $5 - $100 / night

    "Camping at Eklutna Lake is convenient for people wanting to get away but don't want to deal with hours of driving."

    "About 45 minutes from Anchorage and no cell phone service. Sites are surrounded by trees and not too close together."

    3. Centennial Campground

    4 Reviews
    Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 343-6986

    4. Eagle River Nature Center (public use cabins/yurts)

    1 Review
    Anchorage, AK
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 694-2108

    $85 / night

    "Well maintained trails but a walk to the cabin or yurts. Accessible by foot year around. No horses or bikes allowed on trails. Tent camping along the Crow Creek Pass Trail."

    5. Historic Hope Cafe & Campground

    2 Reviews
    Hope, AK
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 782-3300

    $10 - $30 / night

    "Public bathroom less than a block away. Loved it!"

    6. Anchorage N KOA Journey

    7 Reviews
    Wasilla, AK
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 745-7445

    "Pavillion with fire pit, two grills si you dont have to unpack yours, and hammocks to laze away the day. Laundry and showers look like an old west town, too cute!"

    "The park had helpful and friendly staff, clean bathrooms, a nice laundry facility, and even a playground with a communal pavilion for people to gather round together. We would stay here again."

    7. Finger Lake State Recreation Site Campground

    10 Reviews
    Palmer, AK
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 745-3975

    $25 - $100 / night

    "If you live in Anchorage or the valley this is a nice campground. The camp host is very attentive but on sunny weekends the campground and day area fills up quickly."

    "Only down side is that there is a lot of private property around the lake so one would need to be aware of docking kayak/boat to go off trail hiking."

    8. South Rolly Lake Campground

    12 Reviews
    Big Lake, AK
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 269-8400

    "We stayed here using a pull through site, no power with a walking path directly to the lake. It ended up raining the whole weekend but was still a great trip."

    "6 miles of canoe trails on Nancy Lake to keep you nice and busy all weekend long."

    9. Rocky Lake State Recreation Site

    3 Reviews
    Big Lake, AK
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 240-9797

    "This campground is available by reservation or walk/drive in. There are only about 10 campsites but a few of them have a terrific set up. This is quiet, small and right on the lake."

    "Some sites have direct lake access, others more back into the trees. Camp sites are TIGHT- watched a few RVs and 5th wheels struggle into spots on the one way road. Bathrooms were well maintained."

    10. Matanuska Lake State Recreation Area

    1 Review
    Palmer, AK
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 269-8700

    $20 - $25 / night

    "I needed a place to stay between Anchorage and Glen Allen. I was shocked this campground wasn't in Dyrt (found it on google)."

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Glamping Reviews near Anchorage, AK

134 Reviews of 14 Anchorage Campgrounds


  • Shadara W.
    Sep. 15, 2019

    Anchorage N KOA Journey

    Wasilla Wonderful

    Wonderful place to stop off and catch your breath. Pavillion with fire pit, two grills si you dont have to unpack yours, and hammocks to laze away the day. Laundry and showers look like an old west town, too cute! Cabins for rent, playground for the kids and propane to restock. Open year round! Pet friendly and Wifi available. Super friendly staff.

  • Audry P.
    May. 10, 2017

    Eklutna Lake Campground — Chugach State Park

    Great for families

    Camping at Eklutna Lake is convenient for people wanting to get away but don't want to deal with hours of driving. This campground is a short jaunt from Anchorage and features nice paved pads for parking, fire pits, picnic tables, etc. No reservations required but that also means spots fill up as the weekend approaches. The campground road is paved and it's nice for walking/biking. Bears have been known to wander through this area. One summer a bear clawed its way into a tent trying to get at toothpaste in a backpack!

    The lake is the source of Anchorage's drinking water so it's a cool visual representation of the importance of keeping our waterways clean. Makes sense that no motorized crafts are allowed here. We've kayaked on the lake and the vistas are amazing. Always wear a life jacket! Watch out for the wind - it can whip up the surface of the water and make for a treacherous and difficult paddle.

  • V
    Jun. 17, 2016

    Eklutna Lake Campground — Chugach State Park

    Great weekend getaway

    About 45 minutes from Anchorage and no cell phone service. Sites are surrounded by trees and not too close together. RVs with generators make it loud at times, but there are a few walk in sites available. Lake and trails are nice, very pretty location.

  • Shadara W.
    Aug. 12, 2019

    Eagle River Campground — Chugach State Park

    Close to home camping

    Great spot close to our home of Anchorage for when we don't want to go too far. Large pavillion great for get-togethers right along the river and includes it's own bathroom. Semi-seclude sites give privacy with large open areas at your fire pits, great for groups. Some double sites perfect for camping with friends. Pet friendly just please keep the leashed and clean up after them. Watch for bear activity and make sure to keep all food and enticing items locked up.

  • Courtney H.
    Jul. 18, 2022

    Anchorage N KOA Journey

    Great Family Park

    We booked a one night stay here as a trial run with our brand new travel trailer. Our daughter loved it so much that she begged to stay another night. Luck was on our side as there was a last minute cancellation and we were able to extend our stay 1 more night. The park had helpful and friendly staff, clean bathrooms, a nice laundry facility, and even a playground with a communal pavilion for people to gather round together. We would stay here again. There was a bit of road noise from the nearby highway but our family wasn't bothered at all by it as we are used to living on a base with lots of jet noise. Pet friendly and Wi-Fi is available and free! Propane, water fill, and dump station are available at this park.

  • Sierra  S.
    Jul. 9, 2018

    Eklutna Lake Campground — Chugach State Park

    Minutes to Magic

    A short drive from Anchorage, Eagle River and even Wasilla brings you to a pristine piece of nature. The campground right on the water is easily accessible for all ages and the beach allows for all sorts of activities. Feel like getting further away from people? Hike or bike or kayak the shoreline trail to the end of the lake or anywhere along the way. We love camping here and go at least once a year!

  • Andrew R.
    Aug. 22, 2019

    Eklutna Lake Campground — Chugach State Park

    Disconnected

    Camping here is wonderful. Far enough from Anchorage to feel as if you're in the bush but close enough to run home if needed. Beautiful views of the mountains and lake. Black bears roam the woods and show themselves in early spring and early fall. Sheep walk the cliffs just north of the campground. Wonderful location to bring a canoe or kayak.

  • Adam S.
    Aug. 29, 2016

    Eklutna Lake Campground — Chugach State Park

    Great views, crowded camping

    Great campground that conveniently located from Anchorage, tho the road up to the campground takes a while. Usually very crowded on the weekend with biking, hiking camping. Kayaks available for rent, but careful the water is dangerously cold. Ice cream stand nearby in the summer. Awesome scenery and great trails. Careful-potential for lots of bears.

  • Tanya B.
    Sep. 6, 2020

    Trail River

    1 mile in on Trail River Road

    This is a huge campground.  91 spots, a group site and a loop just for RVs and can be booked online. The road out to this campground is bumpy so take it slow.  There are many potholes in the dirt road to this campsite. I almost missed the turn headed here so watch for the Trail River Road sign.  There are a number of pull throughs.  I did like 2, 11, and 14 but there are lots of options.   There are also some site like 4 and 5 that are together if there is more than one vehicle in your group.   Cell Service: no Internet: no 2020 Cost: $18 Distance from Anchorage: 97 miles Best sites: 2, 11, 14 or any pull though Bug Factor (1 minimal to 10 too many to enjoy): 6


Guide to Anchorage

Eagle River Campground in Chugach State Park sits at elevations between 150-700 feet, offering campsites in a boreal forest environment. The park spans more than 495,000 acres and contains some of the most accessible wildlife viewing areas within 30 minutes of Anchorage. Winter temperatures often drop below 0°F while summer daytime temperatures typically range from 55-75°F.

What to do

Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Eagle River Campground — Chugach State Park, visitors can spot bald eagles along the river corridor. "This is one of my favorite campgrounds to visit. Living in Eagle River, this campground allows me to get out of town without going far," notes Melisa A., who recommends bringing bug nets for your head when mosquitoes are bad.

Lake activities: Eklutna Lake Campground — Chugach State Park provides kayaking, canoeing and swimming options with glacial mountain backdrops. According to Shadara W., "Gorgeous any time of year. Trails to hike or play on the lake! This campground is situated with access to Eklunta Lake and boy is that perfect."

Canoe trail system: At South Rolly Lake Campground, campers can access a 6-mile canoe trail system through Nancy Lake Recreation Area. "Great, well maintained campground for a base camp for exploring the Nancy Lake Rec. Area! We hiked on the nearby Red Shirt Lake Trail and caught a ton of small northern pike on Red Shirt Lake," shares Cassandra S.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Finger Lake State Recreation Site Campground offers spacious campsites with natural buffers. "The tent spots are large, level, and have nice and lush grass. The lake is just a short walk from the campgrounds and has a nice spot to fish from the shore with little ones," mentions Staci J.

Year-round accessibility: Rocky Lake State Recreation Site provides camping within 15 minutes of Wasilla. "Not the best campground for RVs but wonderful for tents and small campers. Only about 10 sites that can be reserved online. Right against the lake so great for fishing, canoeing and kayaking," notes a reviewer.

Tranquility close to town: Matanuska Lake State Recreation Area offers quiet tent sites despite proximity to highways. "The tent sites in the back are great. They are huge and have privacy between them. There's a vault toilet which is kept clean. No services or amenities but it's not far to the town of palmer," explains Melissa W.

What you should know

Bear safety requirements: When glamping close to Anchorage, Alaska, bear encounters are possible. "Don't keep your food out of a secured box or by your tent, or rent one of their yurts. Make sure you take bear spray and/or a gun with you," advises a camper at Eagle River Campground.

Seasonal availability: Most glamping facilities near Anchorage operate May through September due to harsh winter conditions. Eklutna Lake Campground is typically open during these months only.

Gate closures: Some campgrounds restrict overnight access. At Rocky Lake State Recreation Site, "There is a curfew of sorts where they lock the entrance and exit gates at 8pm/10pm and open again at 8am," reports Jessica J.

Weather variability: Even summer visitors should prepare for rain. "It ended up raining the whole weekend but was still a great trip. The camp hosts were helpful with fire wood for sale," shares a visitor at South Rolly Lake Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Beginner-friendly options: South Rolly Lake Campground offers calm water recreation and gentle trails. "We stayed here using a pull through site, no power with a walking path directly to the lake. The camp hosts were helpful with fire wood for sale, the toilets not terrible and bathroom area clean, kayak/canoe rentals on location, water, and a little sand area for kids to play in," says Samantha M.

Rainy day alternatives: When camping near Anchorage with kids, have backup activities planned. "We ended up driving to the extreme fun center for the kids since it rained all day and had a blast!" shares a camper who stayed at Rocky Lake Recreation Site.

Kid-friendly glamping: For luxury camping near Anchorage, Alaska, some sites offer enhanced comfort. "There is also a lovely little central area safe for kids to play in. We stayed up until the rise telling stories around the fire and taking late night swims," reports Sierra S. about South Rolly Lake.

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: Anchorage N KOA Journey offers full services for RVs. "Spots had space, grass, fire pits, full hook up and dump hook up. Staff was so accommodating! Firewood and other amenities available," notes Sierra D., who gave the campground 5 stars.

Parking challenges: Many wilderness campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. "Watched a few RVs and 5th wheels struggle into spots on the one way road," warns a reviewer at Rocky Lake State Recreation Site about the tight access.

Budget-friendly options: Centennial Campground offers affordable RV camping with basic amenities. "Location and price is right and that is what you pay for. $35 for hookups for the night whereas the other campground in town was $80. Huge difference," explains Kristi D., who needed a quick stopover.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Anchorage, AK?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Anchorage, AK is Eagle River Campground — Chugach State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 33 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Anchorage, AK?

TheDyrt.com has all 14 glamping camping locations near Anchorage, AK, with real photos and reviews from campers.