Campgrounds near Auke Bay, Alaska offer year-round access to southeast Alaska's unique coastal wilderness. The area's temperate rainforest climate creates mild summer temperatures averaging 55-65°F, with frequent rainfall requiring waterproof gear even during peak season. Campsites typically range from sea level to 500 feet elevation, providing varied experiences from waterfront locations to forest settings.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Auk Village Campground, visitors can observe diverse marine wildlife from shore. "Great place to go whale watching. Seriously! I went for two hours and saw 30 ish breaches. It was incredible," reports Carly S.
Glacier exploration: Take a 3.4-mile hike from Point Bridget State Park Trailhead to reach Blue Mussel Cabin for stunning views. "This cabin is at the end of the road going North of Juneau... The cabin is not furnished with mattresses & sleeps a max of 8 for a max of 3 nights," notes Josiah P.
Kayaking and water activities: Rentals are available near many campgrounds, allowing for close marine wildlife encounters. "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," shares Justin S. about Auk Village.
What campers like
Private, elevated campsites: Auk Village sites offer unusual platform designs. "Each site is very private, ours was built up on a little ring of rocks with stairs leading down from the car," explains Harry H.
Lake access with glacier views: Mendenhall Lake Campground provides waterfront sites with glacier vistas. "It was a wonderful campground! Right on the lake overlooking the Mendenhall Glacier. The bugs are manageable. The campground is clean and well organized," writes Angie W.
Beach proximity: Camping near beaches allows for fishing, swimming, and marine observation. "If you have a fishing license you can fish off the beach, great for swimming as well because it is a protected cove," notes Eric M. about Auk Village.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most sites require advance booking through online systems. "Before you go: you must reserve a spot online in advance & spots tend to fill up quickly in July & August," advises Josiah P. about Mendenhall Lake.
Bear safety protocols: Eagle Beach State Recreation Area and surrounding campgrounds have active bear populations. "There is a large amount of bear activity in area. We had a black bear next to our campground eating grass one evening," reports James B.
Limited cell service: Communication capabilities vary widely between campgrounds. "Absolutely no cell service... We were able to get good solar and Starlink service," notes James B. about Eagle Beach.
Water availability: Some locations require visitors bring their own water. "Be sure to bring enough water for the night because the creek by the cabin is currently dried up," warns Stephanie S. about Blue Mussel Cabin.
Tips for camping with families
Trail accessibility: Choose sites with nearby hiking options suitable for children. "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," notes Krista R. about Mendenhall Lake.
Timing to avoid crowds: Plan activities during off-peak hours to avoid cruise ship visitors. "Best way to avoid the cruise ship crowds is to go early or late. Photo point trail and Nugget Falls trail are a must and have the heaviest foot traffic from 10am to 2pm," advises Fain H.
Pet-friendly planning: Camping Cove Cabin and other pet-friendly sites require advance planning for supplies. "The protected cove with a nice pebble beach is frequently used as a picnic site for those using small water craft as well as hikers and folks who like to fish from the rocks for salmon and char from April through October," explains Josiah P.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Mendenhall Glacier Campground provides various connection options for RVs, though not all sites have equal accessibility. "Pretty standard campgrounds with good amenities that I would expect at a more touristy campground. Not necessarily closely located to a store so a vehicle is helpful," notes Angie G.
Limited dump stations: Plan waste management carefully since facilities are restricted. "There are showers with hot water. There is a section for tent camping, RV camping, and backpack camping," mentions Angie W. about Mendenhall.
Site selection for solar power: At Eagle Beach, "There are some sites not completely in the trees. We were able to get good solar and Starlink service," advises James B., noting that strategic site selection matters for power generation.
