Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Auke Bay, AK

This campground has 11 sites and we were lucky to get #5, right across from the pit toilets so we didn’t have to walk far. We had a great site, bear box, campfire pit, and a fabulous view when you walk to the edge right behind your site! We didn’t put any hammocks in the trees or do any cooking on site, as it is black bear country and you don’t want any uninvited guests. We went to the picnic shelter at Lena Cove for our morning breakfast and hung our hammocks in the shelter for the morning. We had great views of Auke Bay and Lena Cove.

I could not find any reviews to pick a site but I reserved this one and it was gold! We had a water spigot close to us in the campground, but there are no electric or water supplies at the sites. You need to bring your own firewood because some sites say it was supplied, however, due to low crew numbers they can’t keep up with demand.

We’ve been full-time camping in our vintage camper for over10 years, and in that time we’ve taken some “camping trips” without our rig, Hamlet. This time we hopped on the ferry from Haines down to Juneau and pulled out the tent for a few days in this amazing campground. We were just looking for the least expensive place that was close to the ferry terminal in Auke Bay, but struck gold in the hills just above. This might be one of the best traditional campgrounds we've ever stayed in with some of the most stunning views in our "backyard."

The campground is laid out along the southern bank of Mendenhall Lake, and offers drinking water, flush, and vault toilets and hot showers -- at no extra charge. Did I mention that camping here will only set you back $10 per night? We cannot remember such an inexpensive camping experience that offered showers. These $10 sites don’t offer electrical hookups, so bring your solar panels and solar generator or power bank and you’ll be all set. 

The western trailhead is a short walk from the campground, but the Mendenhall Visitor's Center on the east side of the lake is just a few miles away. There are many trails, photographic viewpoints and opportunities to paddle on this side of the lake, but parking is competitive because it is such a popular area- including with the busses from the cruise ships docked in town. So, get there early. We enjoyed paddling on the lake where we got great views of the glacier and Nugget Falls, but keep your distance from icebergs. We watched one crack and roll not too far from where we were paddling, had we been closer I might not be writing this review. 

The Mendenhall Valley has all the amenities you could expect from the Juneau suburbs, grocery stores, malls and restaurants. Downtown has a few more options as well as Douglas Island, just across the bridge.

I always visited Juneau by ferry. This campground is accessible from the slow ferry, but it is a distance from the cruise ships or airports (as you know Juneau is very spread out for its small population). There is nothing Alaska spectacular about this campground, but it is quaint and nice. It is very RV-oriented.

Unfortunately, we were unable to stay at this campground (due to scheduling issues) but we did drive around and check it all out so we can know for next time :) The campground doesn't have many sites which make it a very quiet place (at least during the day by our observation). Sites seemed somewhat geared towards RV's but a tent would be fine too. Sites were spacious and quite private. Beautiful area. We plan to come back here and stay a couple nights on another visit!

Stayed here during a few visits to Juneau and really happy I had a rental car as it isn't too conveniently located from downtown Juneau but that was part of the appeal. Quiet because there weren't many campsites and lots to do in the surrounding areas. Well maintained sites. I recommend whale watching if you get the chance and I also did a lot of beach combing in the area.

Great place to go whale watching. Seriously! I went for two hours and saw 30 ish breaches. It was incredible. Campgrounds are well kept and well worth your time.

A small basic campground close to the harbor and downtown with lots of trees. Each site is very private, ours was built up on a little ring of rocks with stairs leading down from the car. If you need accessibility check with the rangers/website for the best options. There’s nothing to really do in the immediate area, but so much close by: kayaking with marine mammals, hiking. This isn’t our top choice in this area but it’s still lovely.

We stayed here when some of the other area campgrounds were full. It is easy to get to the water or trails. There was a guy renting kayaks out of the back of a truck which made our whole day. It’s not a far walk to the water, where you could see otters, seals, whales, cool ducks, starfish, etc. The camping spots are very spread out and private. Some have views and some don’t. We did see bald eagles right on site. All and all a nice place in the National Forest.

great site, nice woods, if you have a fishing license you can fish off the beach, great for swimming as well because it is a protected cove. Great historical site, an ancient village with historical marker as well as a beautiful totem nearby that tells an interesting story. Nearby in auk harbor is a milkshake to die for. People are friendly, easy to find firewood to have a nice cookout. Not unusual to find deer walking through the campsite. If you are into exercise the University has a gym up the road that you can use for a couple of bucks. Also the bar nearby has a great dart room for those into those kind of things. A couple of mile drive to Eagle River (brown bear) or the glacier (black bear) . you can find bears visiting the creeks and streams this time of year through september. As an afterthought you can rent a kayak and have some fun on the water.

Absolutely loved this campground, It was very quite and the scenery was beautiful. This is a very quite spot tucked away from the city. We loved camping here and will be back!

This is a favorite spot where our family has camped for years. Most recently we took 2 of the grandkids. No cabins, but beautiful beach to walk. Quiet paradise. Fire pits and we’ll maintained pit restrooms.

Inspiring wildlife 🌊⛺️🎣🐟🦅 🦌 🐋 🐻

Amazingly beautiful & rugged island. Experiences with wildlife here are epically fulfilling.

The sites on the right on the lake can be great. However, on a sunny day the wind will likely blow hard off the glacier making it very cold till the evening, which in summer can mean 10pm or so. I’ve lived just s couple block from here for 30 years. Trust me

Stayed here two nights - reservations must be made in advance on recreation.gov. Hot showers available, as well as a stocked bathroom. 12/10 recommend.

If you fly into Juneau, the towering Mendenhall Glacier is sure to impress. The glacier is huge and dangles right near town. I took a cheap blue bus from the cruise ship down to Mendenhall. It's a pure Alaskan experience to camp near Mendenhall. A state capital with a huge glacier. Awesome. The campsite has flush toilets and a shower house, as well as some covered shelters. Sites can be reserved on Recreation.gov.

The campground is nice, with great tent sites! The car sites looked nice too, but I didn't stay there. The tent sites were nicely separated, giving you that feeling that you're further away than you really are. I loved staying here, and loved the things to do nearby. We explored the glacier and went on a hike. Juneau is a lovely town as well.

There is diverse and plentiful wildlife and plant life that is a hybrid between the PNW rainforests and AK fjords. Only open in summer and dominated by tent-only sites, this campground isn’t quite on the bay but is on a small lake close to the inland part of the bay. The campground itself meanders along the lake and a number of smaller lakes, so you have lots of choices for waterfront camping. Sites vary in their views and amenities---everything is perfectly basic but clean. Make a reservation. There is a bus from the harbor.

Stayed early September for 2 nights. Great views of the mountains and Glacier, and got to see the Northern lights!