Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Chitina? The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots near Chitina. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
This primitive camping area has no amenities. It is reached via foot travel only. Water is available from nearby streams (it should be treated before drinking) and there are bear boxes for storing food.
Of the 5,000 square miles of glacial ice in Wrangell-St. Elias, the Root Glacier is the most accessible. A moderate 1 ½ mile walk from the historic mining town of Kennecott along the Root Glacier Trail leads you onto the glacier. Be aware that glaciers can be dangerous. It is recommended to wear crampons or ice spikes on your shoes and go with an experienced guide.
There are countless backpacking trips that can be done in Wrangell-St. Elias. Most of the routes listed here are generally "known" and can be found in hiking books and in magazine articles. Other routes can be found through local guide services and air taxis. There are no maintained or marked routes in the park.
Approximately 1.5 miles after leaving Kennecott, the trail reaches the Root Glacier access trail. (Primitive campsites, along with an outhouse and food lockers, are available in this area.) To access the glacier, turn left at the sign and follow the trail as it winds down the moraine to the toe of the glacier. This trail crosses Amazon Creek, which is a seasonal stream. Depending on recent rainfall or spring melt, you may need to cross this stream.
Hazards: The Root Glacier can be very slippery and dangerous. Crampons are strongly recommended. Avoid walking along the edge of Root Glacier as rotting ice and swift, cold water are potentially dangerous. Bears are present along the entire route. For maximum safety, travel in groups, be noisy when you are walking, and never give any food to a bear.
Notes: If you are camping at the Jumbo Creek Camping Area or Donaho Basin, it is required that your food is stored in the bear-resistant food boxes or your own Bear Resistant Food Container (BRFC).
Traveler
Loved the location. Close to Glenallen and not far from Valdez. Lots of spots with great shade. We found a spot in the back right on the creek. Left to go to Valdez and came back and found the same spot still open. Absolutely loved the campground minus the mosquitos.
Scout
Perfect place to camp
Guide
While this campsite might be basic in amenities, the views are unbeatable! This also give great access to McCarthy and Kennicott shuttles. Be very careful on the road here, we got a flat on the way out but some very kind Alaskans helped us out and got us on the way.
LegendThis place is so far out of the way and worth it. We only stayed one night but there was enough around and the site was so great, I wish we could have stayed for two. The road to get here isn't hard, just extremely long. When it's wet and the potholes are full of water, you have to treat each of them like they're a foot deep since you have no depth perception. It took us about 3 hours on Nabsena road in our rental jeep compass. We were here in shoulder season and had our pick of spots. We set up right along the water. It was extremely peaceful and relaxing. You could sit here to just enjoy the scenery. Walking into McCarthy is fun too and has a couple of dining options. The city's public outhouses are night, the home made pits on the campground are okay (the dimensions are a little off and they're awkward to sit on). I can't remember if they have wood available but don't count on any amenities. Being shoulder season, we were treated to less than 10 others in the campground (any RV's should be prepared to bondock). Plenty of bear tracks sited hiking in the area and locals said the grizzly's were coming out at night. We even got a glimpse of the Northern Lights but the stars alone are incredible here. This site was well worth travelling for.
Legend
You can not beat your surroundings and the view!! I would give it 5/5 stars for that..
I asked the guy at the counter if the Basecamp is private. He said yes. It's unfortunate that you have to drive down the terrible, McCarty road. It was bad. They just grated it and if we didn't have a raff adventure booked my husband would have turned around since we are hauling a camper. I'm surprised nothing broke but we still need to get back :(
Considering we are in the park, I wish they had more camping options. I gave it 3/5 stars as I'm comparing to other campgrounds...$35 for NO amenities is a lot.....if it was going to the national park to pay for the footbridge maybe my opinion would be different. You get a spot with no electric or water, no bathrooms, no trash. I asked the guy at the counter and he said "no trash is our biggest complaint". So $35 is a bit much for where we are, but since this is a once in a lifetime trip for us, I get it. We enjoyed the remoteness of the town and the idea of this small community. Usually when you end up in areas this remote, you end up with free camping or cheap camping via the national park service....
We biked five miles to Kennicott mine, we got picked up at footbridge for our raft adventure and it wasn't far to eat at "the potato" for lunch.
Scout
Quiet and awsome
RangerTiny camp site with beautiful waterfall. Really nice spot to listen to green noises.
RangerLater in the summer here the better the experience 🤘🏻
Ranger
One of my favorite stops in Alaska 🤘🏻
LegendStopped here before our hike up to root glacier. The drive there was so beautiful but definitely challenging.
Legend
We came across this campground riding into wrangell st elias and decided to check it out. Lots of porcupines in the area which was neat. Not very private but not bad. Beautiful drive to get there
LegendWe really enjoyed camping here. This was our first place we camped in Alaska and it was very clean. It has a beautiful view with the lake right there and the beavers are very active. Clean bathrooms
RangerBeautiful campground! Not many sites, but a few right by the waterfall. It’s a shard turn off the road so when coming near Chitna keep your eyes peeled.
Also great for a short hike!
Pros: tent platforms to practice those LNT skills!
RangerGreat spot for families, only 1/2 from McCarthy and 5 miles from Kennicott. Over the footbridge you can take public shuttles for a fee to Kennicott.
Warning- McCarthy can attract a lot of partying, some visitor may be louder and stay up late.
Traveler
Best place we stayed on our 900 mile round trip starting from Fairbanks. Fishing was good. Took us about an hour to land 4 sockeyes. Owners came down, gave us tips and offered to loan some gear we hadn't realized we needed. Bald eagles were playing, and flying around all day. The campsite we picked was by the river, plenty of room, picnic table, fire pit and a spot for our car.
This place is truly local and supports local. We were treated like locals even though we were 2000 miles from home and never been to Alaska before. I'm looking forward to coming back next year.
I definitely recommend this place for anyone who isn't impressed by people being herded from national parks into resorts, funnelled into gift shops reselling Walmart apparel and overpriced "dinner theatres".
LegendParking/campground at the end of the road. 25$ for very limited service. The view of the glacier is nice but the rest of the campground has no charm. If you have time, look for a dispersed site 10miles or so before McCarty.
Guide
This campground is only suitable for those with their own transportation as it is a considerable drive from the footbridge, but the trek is worth it. Nice level tent sites near the river with a picnic table and stone fire ring. Outhouse and showers are a short walk away. Guides for river rafting trips live in walled tents nearby if you need anything. Breeze near the river keeps insects at bay and some greenery between sites provide privacy. A nice place to camp away from the hubbub at the end of the road.
Traveler
The campsites are decently sized. The people working, visiting and in the area were all great. Very respectful of each other, helping newer fishers with techniques and how to tips. we had many great encounters with people on this adventure. Caught lots of reds and exchanged some great receipts with others. We took the car and gear without any problems. The shop had firewood for sale along with basic necessities.
LegendWell maintained campground. Kind of like a folk festival. Very friendly staff. If you are looking for a great place to camp here it is.
Call and make reservations! 907-822-3991 or kscharters@gmail.com
Prices are a little high for tent camping but pretty standard for RVs. Pets are welcome but drive slowly. Not a ton of room between spots.
Legend
I had to fix this ones location. This is within walking distance to Squirrel Creek Campground. They have an ATM and great food.
If you are tired of your camp stove this place is worth a stop and if you want a different bed or Squirrel Creek is full this is the place to stop.
LegendThis is a place to stay if all you want is fishing. Not a family campground. I tried reserving their cabin but it was no longer for rent.
If you are looking to just stop somewhere there are plenty of pull offs on the side of the road.
This campground is right on the river but for $20 a day you can go to a state campground for $5 more and have a better experience.
LegendAmazing camping right on the Copper River. This is the people’s land and managed by AHTNA Native Corp and well worth the $10 for day parking or $20 for overnight. As with all river bed camping watch where you drive. Stopped here to watch the boats float the Copper River. There are pay stations everywhere but I did not see any bathrooms. So with that being said and little trees around I just held it.
My suggestion is find a spot near the tree line.
LegendCannot reserve. Get there early in the week and stay the weekend. This campground only has 10 spots but is worth it. Spots are small but the waterfall is amazing. There is a great place to splash in the water at the base of this waterfall. This is one of those once in a life time spots so if you drive by and there is an open space take it.
There is great ground for tent camping as well.
LegendIf you are looking for a place for a hot shower this is the stop to make. Very nice people running the mercantile. If you are just stopping on the way you can get gas or grab items you forgot. Great place to grab some ice cream on a hot day or a bag of ice.
There are no picnic tables or benches so bring your own. I would not recommend a long camping trip here but this is a wonderful place to stop off. They also have rooms for rent.
LegendActually saw a squirrel within 5 minutes of being there. This is a well maintained campground with clean bathrooms. Spots along the river. Great place to stop for the night.
Campground was not full so if you run out of options this is a great choice. Worth the drive to Worthington Glacier and Valdez.
LegendWe drove through wanting to stay but were seriously grossed out. We got the impression that some sites had full time tenants. It was dirty, the bathrooms were stinky nasty outhouses with seats hanging on the wall. Trash just laying on the ground right next to the bins. Most sites were rough and wide open. A lot of did not have picnic tables or fire rings. Would not recommend unless you bring all your own amenities. Nothing but fishing so if that is what your looking for you may find it more acceptable than we did.
LegendOpen year round, but closed Tuesdays in winter. RV hookups, laundry, bar and restaurant. Landing strip for small airplanes too. We just passed through here scouting it out for future trips and unfortunately they were closed that day. The RV sites seemed a little overgrown and uneven, but otherwise not bad. They offer authentic Russian and American food and a bar. Website has lovely pics of their rooms for rent.
Chitina, Alaska, offers a unique tent camping experience surrounded by stunning natural beauty and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking for a serene riverside spot or a base for exploring the wilderness, there are options to suit every camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Chitina, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Chitina, AK is Copper River Campground — Wrangell-St. Elias National Park with a 3.8-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Chitina, AK?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Chitina, AK, with real photos and reviews from campers.
