Escape into nature and disconnect from your daily life with cabin camping near Chugach National Forest. Find the best information on cabin camping near Chugach National Forest, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. Search nearby cabins or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Trail River Campground, set between the Trail River and Kenai Lake, provides lake, river and snow-capped mountain scenery among the hemlock and spruce forests of the Chugach National Forest. It lies within driving distance of two main tourism destinations; 24 miles north of Seward and 40 miles east of Cooper Landing, AK. Miles of hiking and biking trails weave throughout the area. Moose, brown and black bear, sheep and goats can be found across a large parts of the forest. Kenai Lake marks the headwaters of the Kenai River. The campground is situated on the Eastern Kenai Peninsula at elevation 450 feet.
The Day Use Site at Trail River Campground provides beach access to Kenai Lake. Many people enjoy fishing, collecting driftwood, skipping rocks and walking along the beach. The view of the mountains surrounding Kenai Lake is gorgeous. Snow is present in the high peaks and avalanche chutes until the end of August. Trout fishing can be very productive from the beach at Trail River Campground as well as at many nearby streams. The lake is home to Dolly Varden, rainbow trout and lake trout. Although trout fishing is open year-round in Kenai Lake, special restrictions apply within 1/4 mile of inlet streams. Kenai Lake is not open to salmon fishing. Anglers are required to have a State of Alaska Fishing license and obey all regulations. Within a one-mile radius of the campground entrance, are five trails: Falls Creek Trail, Crown Point Mine Road, Ptarmigan Creek Trail and Vagt Lake Trail. All of these trails run roughly east-west and provide access to the Iditarod National Historic Trail (INHT) which runs north-south. The INHT is an ongoing project to build a '"southern trek" connecting Seward (Mile 0 of the Iditarod Trail) to Eagle River (north of Anchorage). Currently, sections of this trail are still under construction, and several bridges are missing. However, links between Falls Creek Trail and Ptarmigan Lake Trail as well as between Vagt Lake Trail and Crown Point Mine Road make loop hikes possible. The Falls Creek OHV Trail is a half mile north of the entrance road. This steep trail provides good views of Kenai and Lower Trail Lakes and is deal for hikers and experienced OHV enthusiasts. A second option for motorized recreation is the Crown Point Mine Road. This trail is located one mile north of the campground entrance road at the end of Mine Road. This historic mining road leads above tree-line and provides great views. South of the entrance road is the Ptarmigan Creek Campground. This campground is also the location of Ptarmigan Creek Trail as well as a day use area with a fish-viewing platform where you can view spawning salmon in the late summer and fall. Ptarmigan Creek trail steadily gains elevation as it follows Ptarmigan Creek to Ptarmigan Lake. A round trip to the lake and back is seven miles. In the winter, the campground is closed and the campground's entrance road and loops are groomed for freestyle and Nordic skiing.
The Chugach National Forest covers the eastern half of the Kenai Peninsula and extends around Prince William Sound. It covers over 5 million acres and is characterized by jagged mountains, deep fjords, glacier-fed rivers, and dense forests. This rich natural area supports many miles of productive fishing streams as well as wildlife populations.
Trail River Campground is located close to many tourist destinations. Within the Seward Ranger District, many world-class trailheads and day use areas await discovery. The newly-remodeled Seward Ranger District Information Office, is one mile south on Ranger Station Spur. There, friendly forest service employees can help you gather information, interpret the local ecology, purchase area maps, and offer advice about the Chugach National Forest. From this campground, possible day trips include wildlife viewing in Kenai Fjords National Park, rafting down the Kenai River, and a visit to Portage Glacier. Portage Glacier, is located in Portage Valley, a 14-mile isthmus that connects the Kenai Peninsula to mainland Alaska. Glacial remnants that can be seen today are Explorer, Middle, Byron, Burns and Shakespeare glaciers. Portage Valley is also home to the Begich Boggs Visitor Center, a world-class visitor center with a full-time interpretive staff and exhibits ready to inspire and explain the natural area.
For local information, please call (907) 522-8368 or call (907) 288-3178 for general information.
$23 - $200 / night
Miller's Landing is a secluded Campground, Fishing Camp, and Adventure Tourism focal point located right on Resurrection Bay near Seward, Alaska.
$19 - $250 / night
Juneau Lake Cabin is a rustic cabin overlooking beautiful Juneau Lake, providing access to fishing, hunting, hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities. The cabin can be accessed by hiking, biking, skiing, horseback, snowmobile or floatplane. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Visitors enjoy boating and fishing for rainbow trout, whitefish, burbot and grayling in Juneau Lake. A canoe with paddles is provided at the cabin. Fishing equipment is not provided and permits are required to fish or hunt in the state, click here to learn more about Alaska Department of Fish & Game regulations. Hunting of various wildlife is popular along the trail and in the surrounding area.
The cabin is located north of Sterling Highway on the eastern shore of Juneau Lake, at an elevation of 1,300 feet. It is surrounded by a spruce and birch forest overlooking the lake and surrounding mountains. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area. For more information on access and regulations pertaining to this cabin, trail conditions, safety precautions and outdoor safety and ethics, please contact the Seward Ranger District.
$50 - $75 / night
$13 - $17 / night
Trout Lake Cabin is a large, rustic cabin set alongside Trout Lake offering a place for visitors to come and enjoy the forests of south-central Alaska. It provides access to great fishing and canoeing opportunities on the lake, as well as a variety of trails and wildlife viewing in the area. The cabin can be accessed by floatplane, hiking, biking, skiing, horseback and snowmobile. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Visitors enjoy boating and fishing for rainbow trout and whitefish in Trout Lake. A rowboat with oars is provided at the cabin. Fishing equipment is not provided and permits are required to fish or hunt in the state, click here to learn more about Alaska Department of Fish & Game regulations. In season, visitors hunt for moose, black and brown bears and wolves in the surrounding forest. Hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing, skijoring, snowshoeing and snowmobiling (during open seasons) are also popular in the area.
The cabin is located north of Sterling Highway on the eastern shore of the lake. It is surrounded by a willow, spruce and birch forest and open brushy areas. The cabin overlooks the lake and provides views of the nearby mountains. For more information on access and regulations pertaining to this cabin, trail conditions, safety precautions and outdoor safety and ethics,please contact the Seward Ranger District.
$50 - $75 / night
Upper Russian Lake Cabin is a rustic trapper style log cabin located on Upper Russian lake. It was recently refurbished to keep the old fashioned charm of the 1950s, when it was originally built. Its location provides good fishing and boating opportunities. Visitors enjoy exploring surrounding trails and viewing wildlife. The cabin can be accessed by hiking, biking, skiing, horseback, snowmobile, and floatplane. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Visitors enjoy boating and fishing for Dolly Varden and rainbow trout on Upper Russian Lake. A rowboat with oars is provided at the cabin. Fishing equipment is not provided and permits are required to fish or hunt in the state, click here to learn more about Alaska Department of Fish & Game regulations. In season, visitors hunt for moose, black and brown bears and wolves in the surrounding forest. Hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling (during open seasons only) are also popular in the area. Learn more about hiking the Russian Lakes Trail
The cabin is located south of Sterling Highway, set back from the north shore of Upper Russian Lake. It is surrounded by an open grove of giant cottonwood trees with views of the lake and mountains beyond. For more information on access and regulations pertaining to this cabin, trail conditions, safety precautions and outdoor safety and ethics, please contact the Seward Ranger District.
$50 / night
Full service RV Park, cabins, and tent sites. We can accommodate any size rig. We have sites with full hookups or Water/Electric. We are 5 minutes from down town Seward, and also 5 Minutes from Exit Glacier. Book your stay at www.koa.com
$45 - $92 / night
$20 - $40 / night
Ranger
Beautiful! Sat in hot tub staring at the snow capped mountains most of my stay here.
Legend
This is actually a cabin rental facility and they do not offer RV parking or camping. It is on a nice set of land and the owners are very friendly and would make a good rental if you’re tired of camping.
Legend
I don’t hate this RV Park which is saying a lot. There are 60 sites and this RV park is open from May 15 until Labor Day. You can reserve RV and tent sites online but you must call for cabin rentals.. This is right in the heart of Soldotna and close to anything you might have forgotten. 
Traveler
I can't say enough about my stay at Kelly Lake Cabin of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Cabin. It was late Feb./ early March, and we were tired from our previous two days of camping and hiking, so when we arrived at the lake, we decided to drive the short distance on the lake instead of hiking out to the cabin with all our stuff. We parked on the lake in front of the cabin and were pleasantly surprised to see someone had left an igloo! The cabin was neat, the newest we'd ever stayed in, and had a wonderful view of the trees and lake. Even the outhouse had great views! The woodstove in the cabin was extremely effective at warming the space (we woke up sweating!), and the fact that the cabin came with an outdoor fire ring and boat made us want to come back with friends in the summer even more! Absolutely loved the space and our time there.
Ranger
For starters the road there/scenery isn’t my favorite but once you are there you forget about it. You do get to pass a pretty cool waterfall on the way. Some perks to the place are free coffee, showers $2/10 minutes, pot luck once a weekend, boat launch, cabin rentals, kayaking/tours and much more. It books up fast for some weekends so be sure to make a reservation. My two young children could play all day on the beach area eating an ice cream cone from the little shop while watching the seals/sea otters. This is a great spot and we would definitely come back again.
Ranger
Juneau is a campers wonderland. Honestly, you can't go wrong - especially if you're utilizing the Forest Service cabins sprinkled all over Alaska. This particular cabin was in amazing condition, and very clean. We loved every second of the Alaskan atmosphere here - complete with wildlife.
Guide
This is by far the best cabin I've stayed at in Alaska! It's a 3 mile hike up 1800-1900' of endless switchbacks but the views are amazing. The cabin is relatively new, and super spacious. The kerosine heater was a plus, but if you don't hike up the kerosine you might be out of luck for heat. After you settle in at the cabin, continue hiking to the ridge. There are a lot of little lakes and waterfalls all around!
Legend
This is a campground in Gear rental. You can rent everything from fishing poles and nuts to tent camping equipment and anything you might need for watercraft her. They weren’t sleeping bags and dry bags. 10 sites will run you $25 RVs 40 and cabins start at $175. This is right off the Sterling highway and impossible to mess it’s worth checking out if you’re looking at hooking up your RV.
Guide
We hiked in 7.5 miles from the Resurrection Pass South trailhead to enjoy this spacious, primitive cabin with amazing views of Trout Lake. Fish for trout in the provided row boat, or off the dock. Wildlife seen here: moose and beavers and various birds.
Hike: 7 miles to spur off to cabin, .5 miles to cabin from spur.
Note: The cabin can be accessed by floatplane, hiking, biking, skiing, horseback and snowmobile.
Note: Primitive cabin, must pack in/pack out own gear and trash
RangerThe US Forest Service owns little cabins all over AK and each varies in amenities, age, distance, etc. This one is almost 10 miles of moderate hiking from the trailhead, so is serious backpacking (not a drive-up campground). The view from the cabin is exceptional, as is the whole trail. There’s wildlife galore and a canoe at the lake to use for free. We weren’t there when it was cold enough to use the wood stove, but it gave the cabin so much character. Make sure to bring everything you need (just like normal backpacking). You can do cabin-to-cabin hiking using a number of USFS cabins in this area, but the hiking is not easy.
GuideIf you’re looking for a place to camp in Seward, but don’t want to camp in a parking lot this is it. On the water, or back in the trees...it’s really a cool place. Big rigs might want to call ahead, it can be tight...but you can’t beat the location. The office has a small store, with seating on the outside patio overlooking the bay. They generally have a weekly potluck so campers can meet their neighbors. They also have a couple cabins for rent, as well as a water taxi service. Kayak rental is available as well as busy launch services.
Guide
We hiked in 4.5 miles on the summer route to reach Dale Clemons cabin. There was some snow in the higher elevations at the end of May. - Always know your weather conditions!- The cabin slept 8 of us comfortably, and as always, the USFS has kept this cabin in great shape!
Note: The cabin can be accessed by hiking, biking, skiing and snowmobile. It is open year-round, though conditions may impact travel plans.
Winter snow can linger into July and the cabin is susceptible to heavy fog and rain in the summer, as well as whiteout conditions in the winter.
GuideThe Dale Clemins cabin is one of everyone's favorites. The hike to the cabin isn't too strenuous, and runs through beautiful lush temperate rainforest. It's stocked with propane for heat, so you don't have to haul in or scavenge for firewood. The cabin has plenty of sleeping room, plus a beautiful deck with views of glaciers and overlooks Resurrection Bay
Guide
Great cabin on Crescent Lake for a long day hike or make it an overnight at the other cabin first. Be careful of avalanches in the spring even when most of the snow has melted
Traveler
We stayed in the beluga state cabin that is located at the front of the bird creek campground. First coming in to the campground it was a nice road and well signed. The cabin was located on the left town the bike trail and on the left. It was present look and well kept on the outside. We Spent 3 day 2 night. I have 4 kids myself and grandpa and we all fit in the cabin great. The heater was hard to start but we got it and it work like a boss! There was no trash and no graffiti on the walls it was refreshing to see a state cabin so well taken care of we will return most definitely!
Guide
We hiked in from the Russan River campground, about 9 miles to the cabin. The hike was very easy, but long. Lots of overgrown foliage and bear scat on the trail so be aware. The cabin slept 6 comfortably with two sharing each of the bottom bunks.
ScoutSpencer Bench Cabin offers a stunning location at 1,900 feet elevation, providing breathtaking views of the Placer River Valley, Spencer Lake, and Spencer Glacier. The mcdvoice surrounding alpine meadows boast beautiful vegetation, including low shrubs, grasses, and summer wildflowers. This cabin is available for rent throughout the year, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of the area in any season.
Guide
Cool cabin with lots of unique features
RangerBird Creek camp/ RV/ Cabin site is a beautiful 25 minute journey south of Anchorage. Far enough away but close enough to town if you feel the need to get back to the city.
We rented a cabin 95$ a night and took aprox 12 young ladies in the chilly month of November! Daring, I know! But state restrooms made sharing a bathroom easy :)
there is a small wood stove and wood supplied for each cabin which was amazing! A lil kitchen area is built in for your food prep pleasure- must bring stoves and water. No electricity so bring your choice of lighting. Also I recommend headlamps for winter months as bathrooms are a small treck from the secluded wooded cabins.
Bunks are built in and a loft makes for plenty of room.
There was a beautiful table with a map in the top- pretty awesome!
There is a walking trail and it's close to the inlet for beluga whale watching and if your lucky a bore tide!
Rv sites and tents sites available as well- plus table and fire pits at each site.
GuideA great cabin located on the resurrection pass trail.
Guide
The Barber Cabin is just one of many forest service cabins available for rent around the state. All are in outstanding locations, and this is one of my favorites. There are lots of bear in the area, and for those wanting the security of 4 walls, this is a great option. The camping at the lower mouth, is spectacular as well. The area can get lots of traffic with folks hiking in to see the salmon climb the falls.
LegendI give this one 2 stars since it is right off the Seward Highway. That noise you hear is not a river or ocean but the rushing of traffic. It is smack dab in the middle of Anchorage and Girdwood and there is plenty of things to explore in the area.
It’s only on thins camping list because it has cabins for rent. Which are very Alaskana. But if you want to pay $100 - $120 a night you are better off thinking ahead and renting the public use cabins at Bird Creek.
RangerI don’t know if the eastern side cabin is better then one one the west side, but definitely do know that it’s cute af
GuideGreat cabin. Only a 1 mile hike in and it comes with a row boat. The lake is very private.
Ranger
Instead of going down to Georgia he should’ve came up here. By far a great cabin for the price. Definitely a must see come stay and play.
ScoutMy wife and I stayed at the beluga cabin for a couple nights last July and had quite the memorable experience. The surrounding area of the campground is beautiful and located right on the Turnagain Arm. There is a nice bike path that connects through the campground that you can take advantage of for a nice bike ride or hike but be aware of wildlife. My wife and I ran into a large juvenile brown bear on the trail leading from the restrooms to our cabin. He gave us one hell of a scare as he came out of the brush 10 yards away from us and reared up on his hind legs to check us out.
GuideThis is an awesome location, certainly worth the hike. You should plan to stay a couple nights if possible. Typical forest service cabin, right on the river, with very likely nobody else around for miles. Great Alaskan experience.
Experience the beauty of cabin camping near Chugach National Forest, Alaska, where stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures await.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Chugach National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Chugach National Forest is Trail River with a 4.7-star rating from 11 reviews.
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