Do you love the outdoors and horses? If you're looking for a rustic but comfortable experience, horse camping in Big Lake is the way to go. Equestrian camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. Search nearby equestrian campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
$5 - $100 / night
Legend
This place is a secret wonder, just off the Glenn highway north of Anchorage. The autumn color was spectacular here! It was raining and cold in early September, but simply gorgeous.
The first-come, first served sites are on the smaller side and very wooded; with lots of space in between sites, but not a lot of open canopy. This was a bit of challenge for our rooftop solar, but we used portable solar suitcase on an extension cord to capture some sunlight.
The bathrooms are simple, but clean, vault toilets. Water is available at spigots located throughout the campground loop. The lake offers lots of stunning recreation opportunities for flat water paddling and fishing -- careful, the lake can kick up some pretty mean chop during windy afternoons.
Hiking on the Twin Peak trailhead is just around the corner, and cycling along the main road could be a great way to get some hill climbing exercise, as it’s a steep road up to the lake from the Glenn. If you are visiting the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer, this is a great close by campground (about 30 miles away).
We loved that this campground had the feeling of a remote, wilderness campground but all within an hour’s drive of Anchorage. There is one local tourist ice cream shop just a few miles back down the road, which offers food, showers, and laundry. It is only open during the summer months. Further afield the suburban area around the interchange between the Glenn and Parks Highways has all of the services campers need about 30 minutes to the north of the campground.
TravelerGreat campground. Wish some of the spots were on the lake though because that’s it’s star player. Amazing hikes of the lake, glacier, and waterfalls that flow into it. Normal stuff here: pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits. All spots are paved. It’s $20/night but you can pay with credit card at a kiosk or cash like usual.
GuidePlenty of camp sites available and a short walk to the lake. Water and trash service available but no dump station. Grab your overnight ticket using your license plate number (not space number) and pick out your favorite spot from 50 different sites. Lake allows electric motors only and it's pretty shallow from shore, so I think the best fishing will be by kayak or dinghy.
TravelerTrails were beautiful, lake view beautiful, lots of animals to see. The bugs weren’t to bad. Nice little place before the campground if you would like to get cleaned up, wash clothes or just to sit and have a scoop of ice cream on a hot day. Cell service: no Campsites: 50 large enough for bigger campers or RVs Water : yes Bathrooms: yes Trails: yes Atv and horse trails all with beautiful views.
GuidePerfect
GuideThe campsite was very private and 2min walking from the lake
ScoutKept up nice. Lake and hiking available.
Legend
Follow the road to the North trail head. There are a number of campsites across the bridge, on the side of the road or in the parking lot. The restrooms are a single pit toilet in the parking lot at the trail head. If you are biking or hiking be sure to sign the book. This place gets buggy so bring bug dope.
LegendPretty private and a great location. Tons of opportunities for outdoor activities from hiking, biking, paddling, and ATV on specific days. Lots to love. Prepare for chilly weather any time of year because of the elevation
LegendTrails 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. Fire rings, tables, restrooms, firewood for purchase ($15) and camp host. Two sets of walk in tent sites with food lockers also available. Well water available too. Come spend a weekend exploring Eklunta Lake!
GuideCamping 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.
RangerEklutna is just a wonderful fun place for the family. Not only can you do swim 🏊♀️, fish 🎣, and kayak 🚣🏻♀️, bike 🚲, and ride atv’s . The hiking 🥾 is just so good and omg 😮 the camping ⛺️ has some amazing place’s for you tent’s 🏕. Oh and if your in to looking for Bigfoot well we tried doing some calling for them but because it was day time and just maybe not the right call we did not find them. But there is always next time 😉.
TravelerGreat place for family to come and bring the kids. Very clean camp site defiantly a place we will be visiting with our kids this summer.
ScoutWhile there are pit toilets, bear lockers and water spigots, there's not much else besides a plot of land to put your tent, a fire ring and a picnic table. Which for me is plenty! If you get there at the right time, there are a few sites with a view of the lake thru the trees. Requires a very short hike to get lakeside but the view is worth it. With access to several hiking trails, including the beautiful Eklutna Lakeside trail, bike and kayak rentals across the parking lot, and multiple geocaches, you just can't go wrong.
TravelerLits of bear scat around so don't cook bacon. Lol. Nice trails around lake. The lake is beautiful but fishing is poor due to all the silt.
GuideThis campground really has everything when it comes to a state campground. You want water access on a glacial lake? How about numerous hiking, biking skiing and horse trails? Are you looking for updated amenities including a table and fire pit, onsite bathrooms, bear proof dumpster, bear proof food storage, and a well for fresh water (no showers though) and even kayak rentals on site? Do you need large campsites with a reasonable amount of privacy instead of setting up your tent on top of someone else's? Eklutna is the spot. It is technically located within the Municipality of Anchorage about 30 minutes from down town. There is no cell service out there, so you can say goodbye to the rest of the world on your way up the mountain road. In addition, there are forest service cabins for rent that are located down one of the major trails, for even more privacy, and a different kind of adventure. Just a mile from the campground is a cute little ice cream shop for a sweet treat on hot summer days.
TravelerPristine campground. There are lovely wooded campsites nestled between several beautiful mountains. Bathrooms close, with showers, laundry, and ice cream down the road a little ways. There’s bike and kayak rentals. There is also 4 different public use cabins along the hiking trail you can reserve, and one with wheelchair access (I’ve heard.) there are opportunities for several different hikes along the main trail.
RangerI’ve camped at Eklutna many times before this was the first time we’ve actually biked. It was a busy trail but between the biking hiking trail and the four wheeler trial there is more than enough space to enjoy the beautiful trails!
The camp sites only allow two vehicles per site but you can pay the parking fee for the extra vehicles and park them at the main lot.
RangerI have had a lot of friends come here to camp/explore. The photos alone make you want to visit! Twin peaks is a fun hike but pretty steep for kids. The view is worth the hike but be prepared. This campground has about 50 campsites, toilets and water. Each campsite comes with a picnic table and fire pit. This would be a great location to have a bicycle. We will definitely visit, hike and camp!
ScoutI love this campground! Eklutna lake is so beautiful! The further you go back on the trail the more beautiful is gets. Just make sure to be "bear aware" even while camping!
GuideLarge campground north of Anchorage, Lake Eklutna is the Anchorage water supply. Glacier-fed, the water is COLD, but my dogs jumped right in anyway (it was the first weekend of the season and the ice had only broken up completely that morning!)
The sites are large and well-spaced, but not all quite as secluded as I'd like (we had little kids running through our campsite late one night, the dogs were not amused). Unlike some other campgrounds in the area, you are able to gather/chop dead fall wood for your campfire.
The hiking around the Lake is great. There are several trails of varying lengths depending on your preference. Kayaking on the Lake is great fun to
RangerA 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!
TravelerCamp 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.
TravelerOur long bike ride took several hours to reach to the Serenity Falls. We started in Anchorage, AK and rested a day at Beach Lake campground in Chugiak. The following day biked up 1800’ ascent to Eklutna towards Serenity Falls.
please note: bicycles and cars share the road to the Eklutna Trailhead parking lot. Narrow shoulder all the way, please be mindful of riders and wildlife. We saw a moose in the ditch eating.
From the Eklutna parking lot to Serenity Falls it is 12 miles. Shared trail with pedestrians, dog mushers/bikers, and on various days 4-wheelers.
on the way the sights are so beautiful. The glacier fed lake gives a blueish green appearance, beautiful mountains, wildlife (moose and Mountain goats), and the spooky looking trees that look like sticks out of the ground. There were several waterfalls along the way.
I have not yet mastered the dry brushing teeth, but there are little creeks and small rivers one can brush their teeth. Bring bug dope, and bear spray or gun in case of bears—I forgot my bug dope and was karate chopping mosquitoes in my sleeping bag (no tent) throughout the night. It Was a beautiful campsite.
RangerThis place is a straight 10!
Roomy camp sites, fire pits and clean. Bears do roam from time to time so food storage away from your sleeping area is a must! Rangers here will ticket if you leave food out around your site.
Quiet wooded area surrounded by wonderful hiking trails- try twin peaks for a lung and leg stretching adventure with a view as your reward! A 12 mile ( one way) dirt road for biking walking or Sunday- Wednesday atv'n the lake. Blue clear glacier water is beyond beautiful! Remember your life jackets as this water is literally freezing!
You can rent kayaks and bikes here-- if you don't have room to bring your own.
atvs can run the trail Sunday- wednesday only April- November but the noise does not interrupt your quiet campsites.
This is a family favorite!!
bathrooms and fresh water pumps :)
ScoutI love when the sites still feel like they are in the forest. Great place
ScoutStayed overnight during the Questival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Big Lake, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Big Lake, AK is Eklutna - Chugach State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 39 reviews.
