Best Campgrounds near Chitina, AK
Camping options around Chitina, Alaska include several established sites and dispersed camping areas within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Liberty Falls State Recreation Site offers tent and RV camping with 10 sites featuring picnic tables and fire rings near a scenic waterfall. The Copper River Campground provides riverside sites suitable primarily for tent camping, while McCarthy Road Camp offers more primitive dispersed camping opportunities for both tent and RV campers approximately 60 miles east of Chitina.
Most campgrounds in the Chitina area operate seasonally from May through September due to Alaska's harsh winters. Road conditions can be challenging, particularly the McCarthy Road which requires careful navigation. "You can not beat your surroundings and the view!! I would give it 5/5 stars for that. It's unfortunate that you have to drive down the terrible, McCarthy road. It was bad," notes one visitor about accessing the McCarthy area. Facilities vary widely between campgrounds, with Liberty Falls offering drinking water and vault toilets, while dispersed camping areas typically provide no amenities. Cell service is limited throughout the region, and campers should be prepared for potential wildlife encounters, including bears.
Water features heavily influence camping experiences near Chitina. Campsites along the Copper River are popular for fishing and wildlife viewing, particularly during salmon runs. According to one camper, "Fish, eagles and big rivers! Windy, dusty, bears and dipneters. Fishwheels and historic Copper River North Western Rail Road bed." Liberty Falls State Recreation Site consistently receives high ratings for its waterfall setting, with campers noting it as "one of the most beautiful camping areas" with "thundering waterfalls" and "great camping by the creek." While some developed campgrounds provide amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, others are more rustic. Many tent sites include platforms to promote Leave No Trace practices. Most campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, making weekday arrivals advisable during peak summer months.