Looking to go glamping near Chugach National Forest and enjoy a rustic retreat into nature? The Dyrt lets you enjoy a unique, rustic Chugach National Forest experience while glamping. The Dyrt's camping photos, reviews, and tips are an easy way to find the right Alaska glamping spot for you.
The City of Seward has seven separate campground locations, six locations within Seward RV Waterfront Park:
Iditarod, Resurrection (utility area), Marathon, Harborside, Alice, William's Park (for smaller RVs and Tent camping)
Our community invites you to stay and play and experience the abundant winter recreational opportunities available in the area. Stay at the Waterfront Park in a small section of Resurrection Campground where the scenery is breathtaking. The cost to camp is $5 a night for Dry camping, or if you need electric hook-ups, camping is $20 per nighg for Seward Alaska RV Parks. Self-contained RV units only, as our water is off and the dump station is closed for the cold season. Garbage service is also not available and must be hauled home or off-site.
Campers are required to self-register prior to camping. Use the pay station located at the north entrance of the winter camping area of Resurrection Campground.
We work to provide snow and ice removal. Be warned, however, that conditions change rapidly and often in Seward. Campers must use common sense and caution in the winter camping area. Watch for snow, ice, and uneven surfaces.
$10 - $20 / night
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.
For local information, please call (907) 522-8368 or call (907) 288-3178 for general information.
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.
$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
Alaska Fishing Trips, Glamping and Yurt Sites in Cooper Landing Alaska.
$100 / night
$13 - $17 / night
$10 - $30 / night
Experience the perfect blend of outdoor adventure and luxury at our versatile campground, offering glamour cottages, cozy tents, and well-equipped RV sites for a memorable and comfortable getaway.
The property beckons with its blissful amenities, featuring an outdoor hot tub under the stars, a serene sauna retreat, and an exhilarating cold plunge tub for the ultimate relaxation experience.
Howling Wolf Resort is located at 11385 Seward Hwy 99664 in beautiful Seward Alaska home to amazing natural attractions such as Exit Glacier, Mount Marathon, Lowell Point, and Resurrection Bay. Seward is also home to many flagship attractions such as the Alaska Sealife Center and Seward Hospitality Group’s own Alaska Adventure Park!
$50 - $250 / night
$20 - $120 / night
Planning a trip to Alaska can be a challenge: where to stay, where to go, what to do, and simply getting around . . . Poor decisions can take all the fun out of your visit. At the Nauti Otter, we have the knowledge, and accommodations, needed to make your Alaskan getaway an unforgettable experience.
At the Nauti Otter, we offer a variety of accommodations to suit your specific needs. Looking for a little seclusion? Check out our vintage 1960 campers or our rustic cabins. If you'd rather stay at our inn, you can choose from private room or economical hostel beds. And, for a true Alaskan glamping experience, stay in one of our brand new yurts, nestled in the fairytale atmosphere of the nearby forest.
Having lived on the Kenai Peninsula for many years, we understand what it takes to make a visit to our part of Alaska something special. We can help you plan you daily excursions and possibly save you money on local activities. (Make sure to ask about our exclusive discounts on Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier and Whale Cruises.) Let us help you create an amazing Alaskan adventure.
Located on the Kenai Peninsula, Seward, Alaska is the perfect location for experiencing the best Alaska has to offer in short period of time. We're just a short distance from such iconic Alaskan attractions as Kenai Fjords National Park, with it's massive glaciers, and Resurrection Bay, where you can experience salmon runs up close.
Guide
In mid August we had very few mosquitoes. We also had our pick of some of the best camping spots I’ve ever seen. We became spoiled boomers and kept passing up sites until we got a close walk to the lake, a close walk to the well pump, and a close walk to the pit toilet(very clean). Also a short drive to Seward for all the tourist amenities.
Legend
Although we didn't camp here overnight, we ended up staying in the campground for a couple hours waiting out the rain. The vault toilets and covered group cooking/eating areas were in great shape and stayed dry.
From the campground, we hiked up to explore the abandoned WWII fort, Fort McGilvray. Super interesting and much bigger than I expected! See the full hiking route here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/alaska/caines-head-trail
You have two options for getting here:
GuideBeautiful lakeside setting, inexpensive well maintained facilities. Lots of camp sites, both rv and tent. Sites are fairly private. Quiet. Lots of families. Good camp host.
Scout
It’s crowded and I’m not even sure what to do because it’s a big mess but I’m gonna go ahead and do the same
Ranger
This is what it is. It’s a gravel lot and you’re packed in like sardines. Go in with that knowledge and you’ll find it to be a great spot to stay a night or two. We stayed here two nights because we had booked a fishing trip. It’s close to the marina and easy walking distance to several shops.
Scout
I made a reservation for the glamour tent. I showed up at 2:45pm and then waited until 3:30pm for someone to come and do the‘check in’. There was a girl that showed me where the showers were. Then she took me to an angry man who said he was willing to put me up in a hotel, they did not have any glamour tents, and then he offered me a cabin room but said there would be no curtains. And then he got mad at me for making reservations the day before and not allowing him to be prepared.. They then said they would give me a refund but charged me a cancellation fee of$183.34. I had to find a new place to stay and howling wolf resort have been dodging my phone calls and my emails. Worst customer service I have ever had. Super shady and unprofessional.
Guide
Hated having to be so close to everyone. Basically a parking lot that they squeeze everyone into.
Scout
Great fishing guides
LegendTent review. This would not be my first pick of campgrounds, however, travelling in shoulder season, options are limited. Since we are tent campers, we stayed in that section in Resurrection Sound. The sites are tight with zero privacy. As long as you have good neighbors, its not a problem. Our first couple nights were fairly enjoyable. The homeless family living in a site 2 down from us weren't too bad except for them splitting wood after dark when we were trying to sleep. It was labor day weekend and our last night was miserable. The campground filled up with locals there to party. They set up pop up tents, brought amplifiers, music, instruments and were up until 2 or 3 in the morning getting drunk. The views were okay. The walking path along the campground is very nice. The public park bathrooms were fairly clean considering their use. We had to drive into the city to use the harbor showers. They are coin operated. They were fairly clean.
LegendExtremely convenient place to stay. You can walk the boardwalk along Resurrection Bay and get to where a lot of the shops/restaurants/tourist attractions are and where the cruise ships pull into port. Super convenient. You could go the opposite direction and walk to downtown as well.
The campground is just a huge gravel parking lot with a ton of RVS.....it's $65/night partial hookup if you want to camp right on the bay. $55/night if you camp one row back. We chose $55 a night as we had plenty of good views but a lot of people chose that front spot. This is for electric only. There is a dump station/water down the road. The shower house was under maintenance which was unfortunate due to the price. They have portapottys out, so you can go to the bathroom, but the reviews I have seen said the bathrooms are gross. You would think the city could do better than this. They are rolling in the $$s as the campground is busy. Level spots too.
We were able to see birds and a sea otter steps from our camper. A neat place for sure! I guess it usually rains there as it foggy and rainy the two days we spent there.
Scout
There were several nice spots in amongst the trees for tent camping, but for the RV spots, you would want a spot along the beach or next to the bath house. We stayed in the spot named “Amy” next to the bath house. It was flat, but could be difficult to back in to if adjacent spots were full. We will stay in the North Annex next year, a place ran by the same owners.
LegendTo celebrate our 10th nomadiversary and 22nd wedding anniversary, we sea kayaked into this incredible campground about 5 miles from the boat launch point at Lowell Point, and found the most perfect tent platform just off the beach. This may be one of the most spectacular campsites we’ve ever enjoyed that is just a few miles from shore. Making a camp fire on the pebble beach to cook our dinner and watch the sun go down couldn’t have been a better way to end the day!
A short walk up a trail, there’s a picnic shelter with food storage lockers, and a fire rig.
A few more yards toward the ranger cabin you’ll find the two vault toilets (rustic, yet clean), but don’t forget to bring your own toilet paper. This place is a paddlers dream, with easy beach access and a sheltered cove. Paddle around the headland to the south beach and you’ll find sheer rocky cliffs and sea arches -- in good weather this is simply stunning.
If the weather is too harsh for paddling, there’s a great hiking trail leading between the two camping areas with a side trail up to the remains of Fort McGilvray, a World War II era fort. Truly beautiful hike, gorgeous views, and very interesting history.
Resurrection Bay, and Seward AK, is one of the most visited areas of the Kenai Peninsula. Visitors can access this area by boat, cruise ship, plane, train, motor vehicle, bicycle, or on foot. But, getting to Caines Head SRA is a bit of a logistical challenge, but totally worth the effort. The parking area is limited, with only a few spots for RV’s of any length, in the upper lot. But the experience is so worth it. There are a couple of cabins that are reservable through the DNR scattered throughout the Caines Head area. These are accessible via boat or at very low tide.
LegendAshley here with The Dyrt. We're so happy to have David on our platform. He offers a cozy yurt for a party of 4. No running water but there is heat! Book a guided fishing trip and leave your review here!
RangerPerfect spot for a small wedding reception! The bon fire pit and grill gave an fun and cozy vibe while the cabin had comfortable beds and a warm stove while it was rainy. The stove would fog up the one of the big windows, but the window next it to was fine.
TravelerWe stayed two nights at Marathon and it was great. No hook ups at this one, but that was fine. There were bathrooms just a short walk away, a playground across the street, and easy access to walk to the docks, restaurants, the SeaLife Center, etc. Sites were close but not claustrophobic.
LegendWe enjoyed the camping here but the day use are was the real show stopper here! The lake is one of the most beautiful views in alaska in my opinion. facilities are clean and spacious. Picnic tables and fire pits at each spot.
LegendThe view was amazing and checking out the tide pools was so fun! Not much privacy but everyone was friendly that we ran into!
TravelerIt doesn’t get better in Alaska on a clear day. The camp ground is well maintained with a ton of spots. Book well in advance as weekends and prime spots on the ocean go quickly.
TravelerMy family used to frequent this ground and I recently revisited it.
There are two phenomenal aspects to this campground: 1) the lake, and 2) the inter-camp trails.
There are beautiful little paths between the camp sites that makes this place feel like a fairytale.
The lake is one of the most beautiful in the world, and virtually all yours.
Two important things to note: no cell service and insane numbers of mosquitos. I got a couple messages out, but that’s it.
Traveler20, 30, 50 Amp hookups and H2O. As others have said, quite tight against your neighbors and generally full during summer months. Bath house is nice and clean which is great considering there’s no sewer at the sites. Dump site on site so one can make do. A bit unorganized at check in because they don’t reserve sites until you arrive. If you’re in a big rig like I am you could find yourself SOL should the 45’ spots all be full. Overall, not a bad place because the price is right!
TravelerWent the first week of May and was pretty busy. Our spot was right on the water. Bathrooms were kind of far from tent sites. Playground nearby, picnic benches, fire pit, & walking trail.
LegendStayed here for 1 night on two separate occasions in March 2022. It’s part of the Seward Municipal Campgrounds but Iditarod is the only part of the campground that is open for winter camping. Tent camping isn’t allowed so its Rv’s/trailers only. There’s no water or electricity but you have a portapotty that is very clean and a dumpster for trash. We stayed in slot 103 both nights because it’s the only spot that has a fire ring and a picnic table. The view in the morning is beautiful as you see the sun rise above the mountains and see the reflection in the water. This camping lot is at mile marker 0 of the Iditarod Trail which I think is really neat!
Verizon cell service is great and it only cost $15 online to camp in the winter. This is the only campground I noticed that was open for winter camping in Seward.
GuideNice
ScoutIt was very rainy but it was nice to have electric and water hookups next to such an amazing view. One of the most beautiful campsites I’ve stayed at.
TravelerResort area is well organized. RV sites are well-priced, though you won’t get the views that the state sites in town have along the shore. Like many hook-up campgrounds, the RV sites are sterile-feeling (standard parking lot style). Okay if you plan to be out & about all day but not ideal for hanging out around the RV. Campfires only allowed off to the side in a picnic area.
Bathrooms very clean and warm.
Yurts would be my go-to if I were to come again or recommend to family. Fun experience. Fire pits nearby.
Tent sites are really just a patch of grass between the row of Yurts and the playground/bathroom. You could find much more scenic spots not too far unless you’re just looking for a place to lay your head.
Guide
Great little spot right on the Cook Inlet. We came for live music and ended up parking the vehicle and camping. $10 to stay the night - I hung up a hammock and my friends put up a tent. Public bathroom less than a block away. Loved it!
ScoutRented an RV in Anchorage and were happy to set up at this camp site. Right on the water and could see boats and otters throughout the day. The site is situated in a great central area and walking to town or the harbor was quick.
Really enjoyed our stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Chugach National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Chugach National Forest is Seward City Campgrounds with a 4.4-star rating from 31 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Chugach National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 glamping camping locations near Chugach National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
