Dispersed camping spots near Cordova provide alternatives to established campgrounds for travelers seeking more solitude. Mineral Creek offers free camping along a creek with salmon runs from August through early September. Located at the end of Mineral Creek Road, this primitive area has no facilities but sits adjacent to a glacier creek with mountain views, approximately 4 miles from downtown Valdez.
What to do
Salmon fishing at Allison Point: Sites sit 30-40 feet from the ocean with direct access to fishing. "This really isn't a campsite, but more of a place to park while you fish. All the spots are directly along the road access," notes one visitor to Allison Point Campground.
Hiking alpine trails: The Thompson Pass area offers trails suitable for various skill levels. "There is a great loop trail less than 3 miles if you are just passing through," reports a camper about Blueberry Lake State Recreation Site.
Waterfall viewing: Multiple waterfalls surround the camping areas. "What a gorgeous place to spend the night. The sound of the waterfall lulls you to sleep," writes a reviewer about Mineral Creek.
What campers like
Mountain scenery: The alpine setting creates dramatic backdrops for campsites. "This campground is in the Thompson Pass and the scenery is unbelievable," states one camper at Blueberry Lake State Recreation Site.
Proximity to town services: Some campgrounds offer convenient access to Valdez amenities. "Its location made it easy to explore everything Valdez had to offer, and the surrounding mountain views made the close sites and gravel lot worthwhile," reports an RVer at Bear Paw RV Park.
Tent camping options: Designated tent areas provide alternatives to RV-focused facilities. "The tent sites aren't huge but there's plenty of privacy between them," notes a reviewer about Bear Paw RV Park II, adding that "the showers were hot and bathrooms were clean."
What you should know
Cell service varies by location: Coverage depends on campground location relative to town. "There is no cellphone service at all, so make sure you download what you need," warns a Blueberry Lake visitor, while another notes about Valdez Glacier: "Loved not having service."
Wildlife presence: Bears frequent many camping areas. "The campground owner did warn us of a black bear that had been wandering around the campground. There was scat and we did hear him one night but didn't have any problems sharing the space with him," reports a tent camper at Bear Paw RV Park II.
Seasonal considerations: Most facilities operate during limited months. "The pit toilets were very clean. Spots were $25 a night, I don't remember what day parking is," notes a Blueberry Lake camper, while another adds that "the park is open but the facilities are unusable" in the off-season.
Tips for camping with families
Adults-only options: Bear Paw RV Park II provides an option for travelers without children. "Adult only area has its own bathrooms with free showers. Laundry is $3 each to wash and dry and is also on site," notes a camper, adding that "the bunnies are just the icing on the cake."
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "Not a lot of noise at the site even when the kids were playing on the playground," reports a visitor to Valdez KOA, adding that "also an area for dogs to run around is nice."
Multiple accommodation options: Several facilities offer alternatives beyond tent sites. "Valdez KOA has super friendly staff and they've gone above and beyond to make accommodations for our party which includes an rv family and a cabin family," mentions a reviewer, highlighting the dog friendly campgrounds near Cordova.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Several Valdez area campgrounds offer complete services. "The price of $44 for a non-hookup tent site had us apprehensive at first, but after one night at a not so great site down the road we decided to give it a try and we were overall impressed," notes a Valdez KOA visitor, citing "free showers with your stay" and on-site laundry.
Site positioning: RV pad placement affects comfort and functionality. "The utilities were well placed in the center of the long pad, allowing us to drop the patio on our 40' toy hauler and still park our F450," reports an RVer at Bear Paw RV Park.
Internet connectivity: Multiple options exist for staying connected. "Connectivity was mixed: 4 bars on Verizon extended network, 3 bars on T-Mobile (sometimes workable), and above-average campground WiFi," notes the same Bear Paw visitor, adding that "with no trees on-site, Starlink had a clear shot from the roof."
