Eagle River, Alaska sits at the base of the Chugach Mountains at approximately 500 feet elevation, where summer temperatures typically range from 50-70°F. This location offers distinct glamping and camping opportunities within a 30-mile radius, with several sites accessible via hiking trails through spruce and birch forests. Wildlife is abundant year-round, though camping accessibility varies seasonally with most facilities operating from May through September.
What to do
Canoe adventures: South Rolly Lake Campground offers 6 miles of connected canoe trails, perfect for day excursions. "We hiked on the nearby Red Shirt Lake Trail and caught a ton of small northern pike on Red Shirt Lake. There is a great canoe rental shop in the campground that provides everything you need to get on the water," notes a visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Finger Lake State Recreation Site provides excellent fishing access with a boat launch. "Worth a trip and great fishing," reports one camper. "We didn't have a reservation but there are a number of first come first served sites. I would try to show up closer to noon after people are leaving those sites."
Winter recreation: South Rolly Lake Campground remains a destination during colder months. "I visited in late fall too not to camp but for daytime recreation and love it!" shares one reviewer who enjoys the off-season atmosphere.
What campers like
Private lakeside access: At Rocky Lake State Recreation Site, campers appreciate the secluded waterfront. "Some sites have direct lake access, others more back into the trees," explains a reviewer. Another adds that "there are options to hang up your hammock, start a fire using your pit, walk down your private path to the lake and enjoy the weekend."
Family-friendly facilities: Finger Lake State Recreation Site maintains well-kept grounds. "The tent spots are large, level, and have nice and lush grass. The lake is just a short walk from the campgrounds and has a nice spot to fish from the shore with little ones," reports a satisfied camper.
Clean amenities: Finger Lake State Recreation Site receives praise for maintenance. "Very clean campground right next to Finger Lake. Vault toilets were spotless, campsites were clean, host puts reserved tags up on your camp post," notes a recent visitor.
What you should know
Reservation timing: For glamping close to Eagle River, Alaska, plan ahead. At Finger Lake State Recreation Site, "all of the non reserved sites were full by about 3p. Several reserved sites remained empty despite having a reservation."
Wildlife awareness: Expect frequent animal encounters. "This seems like a well loved campsite and the lake was beautiful! Lots of sites to choose from and a lot of moose!" mentions a South Rolly Lake visitor. Another camper adds, "bear proof trash so they are here people."
Gate closures: Some campgrounds restrict vehicle access at certain hours. At Rocky Lake, "there is a curfew of sorts where they lock the entrance and exit gates at 8pm/10pm and open again at 8am," reports a camper.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly areas: South Rolly Lake Campground offers designated spaces for children. "The campground has a lovely little central area safe for kids to play in. We stayed up until the rise telling stories around the fire and taking late night swims," shares one family.
First-time camping spots: Rocky Lake State Recreation Site works well for beginners. "This would be a great spot if you're not looking to explore but to just relax on the lake. If it's a rainy day you could drive into wasilla and make a fun day out of it," explains a visitor with children.
Accessible day trips: Proximity to attractions provides backup plans. "We ended up driving to the extreme fun center for the kids since it rained all day and had a blast!" shares a camper from Rocky Lake, highlighting options beyond the campsite.
Tips from RVers
Site sizing considerations: Matanuska Lake State Recreation Area offers separate camping sections. "It's nice that there are tent sites separated from their RV sites. The RV lot is basically a parking lot but without many other options it would probably do the trick for an RV," notes a recent camper.
Pull-through accessibility: South Rolly Lake accommodates larger vehicles. "We stayed here using a pull through site, no power with a walking path directly to the lake," mentions an RV camper. Another visitor adds, "Several large pull through sites. We choose the B loop and have a beautiful site on a hill. Large and roomy."
