Best Camping near Chugiak, AK

Join the fun near Chugiak. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Chugiak campgrounds just for you. Discover great camping spots near Chugiak, reviewed by campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near Chugiak, AK (92)

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Showing results 1-10 of 92 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Chugiak

Recent Reviews in Chugiak

377 Reviews of 92 Chugiak Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Riverside Camper Park
    Aug. 24, 2024

    Riverside Camper Park

    Clean up after Denali

    After breaking camp in Denali this was a great spot just far enough down the road to take a shower and do laundry. After 3 days of camp food the Thai restaurant right up the road was a dream come true. The showers and laundry worked flawlessly!,!,

  • K
    Camper-submitted photo from Anchorage N KOA Journey
    Jul. 19, 2024

    Anchorage N KOA Journey

    Lovely campground

    This is a lovely campground. They have great amenities. The only 2 reasons I gave jt 4 ⭐️ is because half the washers are out of order leaving only 3 working and the sites are close together.

  • Janice M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Eagle River Campground - Chugach State Park
    Jul. 8, 2024

    Eagle River Campground - Chugach State Park

    But unkempt but nice otherwise

    We stayed here twice in our travels on Alaska. First appearance, the grasses are overgrown at the “entrance” and i was concerned. The fee both looks abandoned. But we actually saw there were some beautiful camp sites. Nice size for rvs if all lengths. Our table needed some help and it is obvious the camp is not being maintained. The bathroom was clean. Some sites you can hear the river and some road noise. The river is beautiful. There is a dumpster but it is on an upper level next to the dump station which is closed. The first time we did not realize this and took our garbage with us. All in all, it is not a bad campground. The trees are beautiful. We also had a moose and calf hanging around. We came back for a second visit. We used it as a jumping off point for Anchorage. Also the Eagle Nature Center and its trails are amazing! Saw a bull moose there. Would use again if not super picky. We are camping folks! For $20 I would not complain.

  • Kevin H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Matanuska River Park Campground
    Jul. 5, 2024

    Matanuska River Park Campground

    Great park for the price

    Matanuska River Park campground

    $20 to dry-camp. Water station and sani-dump usage included. There are also some sites with electricity - a few more dollars but extremely close together. Saw a few with overlapping awnings

    72 is a great site, our 30 ft 5er and f250 fitted in fine, but some caution needs to be exercised when driving. Trees made Starlink coverage a bit spotty. Short walk to River

    Small planes continually passing overhead during the day, but not too noisy ( apparently glide path is over us to land, and engines are apparently idling at this time )

    Great friendly host

  • M
    Camper-submitted photo from King Mountain State Rec Area
    Jun. 24, 2024

    King Mountain State Rec Area

    King mountain

    Decent spot with fire pit and picnic table, secluded from others, easy to find and good views. We had a 18ft travel trailer and getting around was easy. The bathrooms were very clean!

  • Brent L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Nancy Lake State Recreation Site
    Jun. 22, 2024

    Nancy Lake State Recreation Site

    Great simple camp

    Weather Highs in upper 70s Lows in the lower 50s Loop 1 site 1 Bathrooms were clean Dumpster for trash “No host or firewood”

    This is a great spot to take your younger kids to teach them the basics. Were new to the area so really just learning AK. But this was a great spot for a 5&4 YO. Not to much in and out traffic and plenty for them to just explore and learn close to camp. You can walk around the other parts of campground as a hike and lead down to the water that has a really small area to play

    Skeeters weren’t terrible between the fire, bug spray and bug room we were just fine and came out with minimal bites

    You can procure firewood from woods

  • Heather K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from South Rolly Lake Campground
    Jun. 13, 2024

    South Rolly Lake Campground

    Great spot for water lovers

    We stayed here one night. Lots of mozzies. There are pit toilets and lots of sites to choose from. The campground is great if you like fishing or canoeing.

  • Suryanshu P.
    Camper-submitted photo from Eagle River Campground - Chugach State Park
    Jun. 11, 2024

    Eagle River Campground - Chugach State Park

    Unserviced and dirty

    Limited water (20gal a day). No hookups, no trash service and no rv dumping, bathrooms are pit toilets and very dirty. I have been here 3 separate times across three weeks and noticed everything like that bathrooms were extremely stinky and dirty. Have to walk to the entrance of the campground to dispose of any trash.

  • Khursten C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from The Springer RV Park & Campground
    May. 24, 2024

    The Springer RV Park & Campground

    Beautiful Views, Clean Grounds

    We visited here for two nights with our children in our tow-behind trailer. There wasn't a lot to do for the kids, but we were able to enjoy the grassy area, make s'mores in the community fire pit, take a nice walk next to the golf course nearby, and make laps around the campsite's driveway. They otherwise played card games, read books, and made "nature recipes". It was quiet except for birds rising with the sun and airplanes landing at the nearby airport. The kids loved watching the planes land. It was nice having access to the toilets for when we had more than one person needing it at the same time. Another great part was the very good quality water, electric, and sewer hookups! The entire grounds was very well maintained, impeccably clean, and provided a very nice place to enjoy the breathtaking mountain views that rural Palmer, Alaska has to offer! Unfortunately I did not get enough photos!

  • a
    Camper-submitted photo from King Mountain State Rec Area
    May. 19, 2024

    King Mountain State Rec Area

    10/10!

    This is SO clean! Everyone raves about site 13 & 14 but we loved site 24. It was a perfect short walk, less than a minute to the creek. The bathroom near the site is so so so clean. Our family LOVES the host - he manages the campground so beautifully. We’re still new tent campers with 3 young kids and Bob (the host) helped make us feel comfortable and safe. We have a 10 person black out tent and a ram 2500 and I think our site was great for that set up.

  • Mcdvoice
    Camper-submitted photo from Spencer Bench Cabin
    Feb. 6, 2024

    Spencer Bench Cabin

    best property for view

    "Situated along the waterfront, this property boasts unparalleled views of the sparkling ocean, creating a tranquil and luxurious atmosphere that enhances the overall living experience.

    ""Nestled in the heart of nature, this secluded property features expansive windows and balconies showcasing stunning mountain vistas, ensuring residents enjoy a picturesque and immersive connection with the scenic beauty that surrounds them."

    mcdvoice

  • Melissa W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Matanuska Lake State Recreation Area
    Oct. 29, 2023

    Matanuska Lake State Recreation Area

    Excellent tent spots

    I needed a place to stay between Anchorage and Glen Allen. I was shocked this campground wasn't in Dyrt (found it on google). We actually ended up staying here two separate times- on our way North east and coming back South West. This State Rec Area is extremely clean. It's nice that there are tent sites separated from their RV sites (nothing worse than being in a tent and stuck hearing an RV's generator or TV all night). The RV lot is basically a parking lot but without many other options it would probably do the trick for an RV. The tent sites in the back are great. They are huge and have privacy between them. There's a vault toilet which is kept clean. No services or amenities but it's not far to the town of palmer. Despite being right off the state route, it stays pretty quiet from the road traffic because of all the trees. There's a pay station to pay when you arrive and pick your site. This was perfect in the shoulder season and in-between cities. I apologize I didn't get any campground pictures to post!

  • Karin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from City of Whittier Camp Ground
    Sep. 13, 2023

    City of Whittier Camp Ground

    Parking lot with a view

    Basically one big parking lot, but it has nice views of the surrounding mountains and harbor. They provide toilets and dumpster which is nice, also the spots have fire pits.

  • K
    Camper-submitted photo from Spencer Bench Cabin
    Sep. 8, 2023

    Spencer Bench Cabin

    Spencer Bench Cabin offers a stunning location at 1,900 feet elevation

    Spencer 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.

  • d
    Camper-submitted photo from Fox Run Lodge & RV Campground
    Sep. 4, 2023

    Fox Run Lodge & RV Campground

    Labor day trip

    The only bad we could think of was sports are close together. The hookups are on the opposite side if you back in. It is not an issue if you bring an extra extension cord.

  • Kristi D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Centennial Campground
    Aug. 20, 2023

    Centennial Campground

    You get what you pay for

    Location and price is right and that is what you pay for. $35 for hookups for the night whereas the other campground in town was $80. Huge difference. We just needed a quick stop near Anchorage on our way to Seward.

    We got a level spot with electric, a dump and water station. One picnic table near us in good condition the other in poor. Grass is not mowed well. Bathrooms live up to the reputation, absolutely terrible. You can only stay here 14 days a year which is just fine. Lots of reviews about the homeless which left me concerned but I didn't see that has a huge issue. Maybe they cleaned it up? Not sure. I didn't not feel totally safe walking trails just because the place was a little sketch but it was fine for a nice. Right near highway for convenience but also a lot of highway noise but with windows closed it wasn't bad. Slept just fine!

  • s
    Camper-submitted photo from Golden Nugget RV Park
    Jul. 10, 2023

    Golden Nugget RV Park

    A City Campground

    Wide gravel and grass site with wooden picnic table, no firepit. Several RV tour companies use this park. There are more than 200 sites in this park. Showers were clean and free. Nice laundry room. About 1/4 of park is occupied by long-term residents - clean and well maintained. Park is located within a couple miles of downtown, across street from Costco, and adjacent to a large run down mobile home neighborhood. Wi-fi is offered, but we were too far away from the office so couldn't connect.

  • Taylor G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Porcupine Campground
    Jul. 7, 2023

    Porcupine Campground

    All my little family needed

    It was quiet and from all aspects was exactly what we were looking for. As locals we just needed a quick and easy getaway for the weekend. Couldn't have picked a better place!

  • s
    Camper-submitted photo from Creekwood Inn Motel and RV Park
    Jul. 5, 2023

    Creekwood Inn Motel and RV Park

    Just a place to park and sleep, with utilities.

    If all you want is a place to sleep, you don't mind close together sites and no vegetation in between, then you are in luck. But we found a better place.

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Eklutna - Chugach State Park
    Apr. 10, 2023

    Eklutna - Chugach State Park

    Peaceful Retreat Near Anchorage

    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.


Drive Time


Guide to Chugiak

Camping near Chugiak, Alaska, offers a fantastic escape into nature with stunning views and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Eklutna - Chugach State Park. The Twin Peak trailhead is nearby, and hikers rave about the beautiful scenery. One reviewer mentioned, "The trails were beautiful, lake view beautiful, lots of animals to see."
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, South Rolly Lake Campground is a great spot. Campers have noted, "The campground is great if you like fishing or canoeing."
  • Paddling: For those who love water sports, Eklutna - Chugach State Park offers flat water paddling opportunities. Just be cautious of the wind, as one visitor warned, "The lake can kick up some pretty mean chop during windy afternoons."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers appreciate the stunning landscapes. One happy camper at Bird Creek Campground said, "This is a great little campground between Anchorage and Girdwood, right along the Turnagain Arm inlet."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campers have praised the cleanliness of the facilities. A reviewer at Eagle River Campground mentioned, "The bathroom was clean," which is always a plus when camping.
  • Wildlife: The chance to see wildlife is a big draw. One visitor at Eagle River Campground shared, "We also had a moose and calf hanging around."

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for mosquitoes, especially in the summer. A camper at Bird Creek Campground noted, "It was 54 Degrees in July… and Mosquitoes ate us alive."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Eagle River Campground, have limited amenities. One reviewer pointed out, "No hookups, no trash service and no RV dumping."
  • First-Come, First-Served: Many sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A visitor at Finger Lake State Rec Area advised, "I would try to show up closer to noon after people are leaving those sites."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with spacious sites and activities for kids. South Rolly Lake Campground is noted for being great for families, with one reviewer saying, "If you have kids bring their bikes!"
  • Pack Bug Spray: Given the mosquito situation, it's wise to bring bug spray. A camper at Bird Creek Campground mentioned the bugs were quite bad.
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep the kids entertained. One family at Matanuska River Park Campground enjoyed the playground nearby.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger RVs. A reviewer at Fox Run Lodge & RV Campground mentioned, "The only bad we could think of was spots are close together."
  • Bring Extra Cords: If you're backing into a site, make sure to bring an extra extension cord for hookups. A camper at Fox Run Lodge & RV Campground noted this as a helpful tip.
  • Look for Amenities: Some campgrounds offer great amenities, like Fox Run Lodge & RV Campground, where one camper said, "The on-site restaurant is a gem."

Camping near Chugiak, Alaska, provides a mix of adventure and relaxation, making it a perfect spot for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What camping is available near Chugiak, AK?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Chugiak, AK offers a wide range of camping options, with 92 campgrounds and RV parks near Chugiak, AK and 7 free dispersed camping spots.

  • Which is the most popular campground near Chugiak, AK?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Chugiak, AK is Eklutna - Chugach State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 39 reviews.

  • Where can I find free dispersed camping near Chugiak, AK?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Chugiak, AK.

  • What parks are near Chugiak, AK?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 parks near Chugiak, AK that allow camping, notably Chugach National Forest and Kenai Fjords National Park.