Ricky R.
Guide
GuideWilliwaw Campground
Beautiful surroundings
Nice USFS campground with mountain and glacier views with a creek and trail system. Sites size varies but many sites will hold larger rigs. Good spacing. Roads and pads are paved.
Camping near Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK
116 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping options around Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska include both military-only facilities and public campgrounds accessible to all visitors. Black Spruce Campground on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) serves military personnel, veterans, and Department of Defense employees with full hookup sites, showers, and dump stations. Nearby Centennial Campground offers an alternative for civilian campers with electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities, though it operates seasonally from May through September.
Access to military campgrounds like Black Spruce RV Park requires proper credentials and base access permissions. Most public campgrounds in the Anchorage area have seasonal operations, typically from May to September, due to Alaska's harsh winter conditions. Centennial Campground provides basic amenities at lower rates than other options in the Anchorage area, with sites available for $35 per night with electric hookups compared to $80 at some alternative locations. As one visitor noted, "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."
Several developed campgrounds near Elmendorf offer varying experiences and amenity levels. Black Spruce receives positive reviews for its cleanliness and facilities, with one camper describing it as "super clean" with "spaces are decently sized with a picnic table and charcoal grill set up, and trees offer some privacy." Centennial Campground presents a more urban camping experience with highway noise and proximity to city conveniences. While convenient for exploring Anchorage, some visitors mention concerns about security and maintenance at certain facilities. The surrounding Chugach State Park offers additional camping options with more natural settings at Eagle River Campground and Eklutna Lake Campground, where visitors can experience greater separation from urban environments.
Best Campgrounds near Elmendorf Air Force Base (116)
1. Eagle River Campground — Chugach State Park
"Multiple trails travel along the campground and the river. Beautiful Alaskan experience right next to Alaska's largest city."
"Bring your fishing pole as you're close to the river. Enjoy what Alaska has to offer!"
2. Centennial Camper Park
"Centennial camp ground in Anchorage Alaska was a FAB SURPRISE!! Hidden, secret, clean, and big tent spots!"
"You do have to be sure to pack all food stuff in a secure location."
from $25 / night
Check Availability3. Eklutna Lake Campground — Chugach State Park
"Trails to hike or play on the lake! This campground is situated with access to Eklunta Lake and boy is that perfect. Tons of campsites to choose from both double, single and handicapped."
"If you get there at the right time, there are a few sites with a view of the lake thru the trees. Requires a very short hike to get lakeside but the view is worth it."
from $5 - $100 / night
Check Availability4. Black Spruce Campground
"The bathhouse is super clean, there's dumpsters close by, spaces are decently sized with a picnic table and charcoal grill set up, and trees offer some privacy."
"Walking distance from commissary, bx, and shoppette but still felt like wilderness. Really had a good weekend and would recommend to anyone with base access. Will go again"
from $12 - $33 / night
Check Availability5. Bird Creek Campground — Chugach State Park
"This campground is only a short drive from Anchorage, but far enough so you feel like you are away from the hustle and bustle of town. There are great trails for hiking."
"Stayed at Bird Creek for 2 nights while car camping/traveling through Alaska. Very clean faculties, lots of space between sites and countless activities."
6. Golden Nugget RV Park
"Park is located within a couple miles of downtown, across street from Costco, and adjacent to a large run down mobile home neighborhood."
7. Centennial Campground
8. Military Park Fort Richardson Upper Otter Lake Campground
"Situated on a beautiful lake that just so happens to be a loon sanctuary there is a boat house for you to rent paddle boats, kayaks, and more. Tons of water fowl and the occasions moose or bear."
9. Porcupine Campground
"We wish we had gotten a better site, but there is plenty of hiking around to see the water and mountains."
"There are two great hikes nearby within driving or walking distance. A perfect weekend getaway from Anchorage! You'll adore this beautiful spot."
from $23 / night
Check Availability10. Black Spruce RV Park
Drive Time
- 10 hrs 43 min from Fairbanks, AK
Recent Camping Photos near Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK
62 Photos of 116 Elmendorf Air Force Base Campgrounds
Taylor B.
Black Spruce Campground
Andre A.
Centennial Camper Park
Melissa F.
Eagle River Campground — Chugach State Park
Vicki S.
Eklutna Lake Campground — Chugach State Park
Shari G.
Bird Creek Campground — Chugach State Park
Jessica J.
Rocky Lake State Recreation Site
Laura H.
Porcupine Campground
Shadara W.
Anchorage N KOA Journey
Fred S.
Fox Run Lodge & RV Campground
Staci J.
Gold Creek Gold Mine
Michael D.
Girdwood Campground
Tanya B.
Riverside Camper Park
Recent Reviews near Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK
402 Reviews of 116 Elmendorf Air Force Base Campgrounds
- ttiffany T.
TravelerWhitter Parking and Camping
Stayed for a night
Stayed here to see the town. . The tunnel Was pretty fascinating. The campground was fine. We stayed in May so hardly any people here cold and drizzly.
- ttiffany T.Traveler
Kings River
Beautiful river front
Stopped here for an overnight before heading into Palmer. Plenty of room to drive in with truck and tow behind 18 ft camper . Stayed right on the river bank
Jim S.
ScoutEklutna Lake Public Use Cabins & Serenity Falls Hut — Chugach State Park
Weekend cabin bike adventure
Beauty lake, lovely trail, great spot for a weekend getaway.
Erik I.GuideKings River
Right by the river
As others have stated, multiple dispersed sites right by the Kingsriver. Directly off the road. The bridge for the road above is located at the end of the area. I actually camped underneath the bridge for a few nights to get out of the constant rain that Alaska seemed to be going through while I was there.
MickandKarla W.
LegendThe Springer RV Park & Campground
Decent Campground
We followed our GPS without issue to the campground near the Palmer golf course and municipal airport. The turn into the CG was a little tight but manageable with our 40’ toy hauler and F450. Check-in was quick and friendly, and we proceeded to pull-through site 24 with FHUs (50/30 AMP). When we made our reservations online, they asked for the exact length of both our RV and tow vehicle. We were definitely assigned one of their longer pull-throughs, as we could center our rig on the pad for the utilities—well-placed near the middle—while still dropping our patio and parking our truck on either side. The sites were very close together, with only a slender strip of grass and a picnic table between them. Water pressure was steady around 45 PSI. We got 2 bars on Verizon and 1 workable bar on T-Mobile. Because of the close spacing and perimeter trees, we placed Starlink on the roof and had a good connection, though many RVers set theirs on the ground. The campground WiFi worked well for browsing, with speeds of 8.69 Mbps. The laundry room was a standout: two washers and two dryers,$5 per load (pay at the office), and they provided soap and dryer sheets—easily the best laundry deal we’ve seen to date. The large overflow/tent camping area doubled as a dog run, with additional space to walk pups around the property. In our opinion, the back-in sites offered better spacing and mountain views. We also enjoyed watching small planes and helicopters come and go from the nearby airport. Overall, this campground met our needs for our five day stay.
- MickandKarla W.Legend
Anchorage N KOA Journey
Mixed Review
We followed the website instructions and took Fireweed Road off AK-3. Arriving early cost us a $20 fee, and check-in was unpleasant as the front desk person was snippy, didn’t recognize our confirmation for a deluxe site, and gave no amenities or rules briefing. We had asked if there was somewhere we could go park until check-in time, but didn't get a response. She just kept checking us in and charged us the $20 fee. We were assigned pull-through site 8 with FHUs and 50 AMP. Since we had reserved a deluxe site back in January, we expected enough length for our 40’ toy hauler and patio, but the pad was too short and forced us to park our F-450 diagonally and still no room to put the patio down. Utilities were placed in the middle of the pad with good water pressure, but the KOA Wi-Fi never connected despite repeated attempts. Starlink had a clear shot to the sky. The next day we spoke with the manager about our experience. She offered firewood as an apology, but then discovered they were out, so we asked for our $20 early-arrival fee back instead. She agreed, but the refund never came. The campground does have two small fenced dog areas. On departure day we had a slide issue that prevented us from leaving, and the manager was very accommodating, providing the number of a local RV tech who came out that day and moving us to back-in site K4 so we could stay another night for repairs. Mobile RV and Toyostove, 907-745-0468, gave us fast, reliable service. Site K4 was definitely a much better site with plenty of space for our size rig. In the end, our stay had both frustrations and positives, with poor check-in and site issues offset by a helpful manager when we ran into problems.
Andrea W.GuideGolden Nugget RV Park
A place for RVs in Anchorage but don't expect much
We had the impression that many people stay long-term - hence a lot is laying around on the sites. Everything feels a little grubby, however the site provides W/E as well as a dumping station. Fine for one night when you have to hand your RV back the next day. If you are looking for a nice stay close to Anchorage, go to Palmer.
- Andrea W.Guide
Matanuska River Park Campground
Nice place well looked after
Lots of green, a big part if the camping grounds are in a forest, RV with E Nicely arranged with well looked after grass, so you don't soil your RV.
Guide to Elmendorf Air Force Base
Camping near Elmendorf Air Force Base offers access to diverse wilderness within the Chugach Mountain range, which rises to elevations over 5,000 feet and creates a dramatic backdrop for campers. The camping season typically runs May through September when temperatures range from 45-75°F, though some facilities maintain limited winter operations. Summer nights remain light until nearly midnight during peak season, extending viable camping hours.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: Eagle River Campground serves as an excellent base for exploring nearby hiking paths. "This is one of my favorite campgrounds to visit. Living in Eagle River, this campground allows me to get out of town without going far," notes Melisa A., who recommends being prepared for wildlife encounters. "The hiking trails are absolutely beautiful!! Watch for Moose. Look up every so often because there are also bald eagles around."
Watercraft adventures: Eklutna Lake Campground offers water-based recreation with equipment rentals available. "Trails to hike or play on the lake! This campground is situated with access to Eklunta Lake and boy is that perfect," writes Shadara W. The campground includes "food lockers" for tent campers and "well water available too."
Wildlife viewing: Bird Creek Campground positions visitors for potential whale sightings. "We also went looking for Beluga whales in Turnagian Arm which is just across the way from the campground," shares Shannon C. "If you didn't bring binoculars, don't worry. The state has many of them posted up along the side of the road."
What campers like
Convenience to Anchorage: The accessibility of camping options near the military base provides quick escapes without long travel times. "This campground has it all! Situated on a beautiful lake that just so happens to be a loon sanctuary," writes Shadara W. about Military Park Fort Richardson Upper Otter Lake Campground, noting "RV spots all face the lake too."
Varied terrain: The region offers diverse camping landscapes from lakeside to mountain settings. "Eklutna lake is just beautiful. Its several miles up the mountain but the view there is just gorgeous," explains Barbara W. about Eklutna Lake Campground. "The camp sites r nicely placed apart to not be right on top of ur neighbor."
Moderate pricing: Several campgrounds maintain reasonable fees compared to alternatives. At Porcupine Campground, Hannah C. reports "Sites cost $9" and notes that "The picnic tables are large and have spots for someone in a wheelchair."
What you should know
Military-only facilities: Some campgrounds near Elmendorf require proper military credentials. "Must be able to access JBER via veteran status, DOD or military," explains Shadara W. about Black Spruce Campground. "A great spot to chill for the weekend but still be close to base life. Great for veterans who want a base to explore Anchorage or visit family."
Mosquito preparation: Alaska's summer brings insects, requiring proper preparation. Tanya B. advises visitors to Porcupine Campground to "Bring bug dope or a screen shelter because the mosquitoes are big and hungry even late into the season."
Bear awareness: Wilderness camping requires proper food storage and wildlife precautions. "Don't keep your food out of a secured box or by your tent, or rent one of their yurts," warns Melisa A. about Eagle River Campground. "Make sure you take bear spray and/or a gun with you."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. Black Spruce Campground includes "Playground for the kids, showers, dump and full hookups," according to Shadara W.
Kid-friendly campground selection: Amy B. recommends Eagle River for family outings, stating "Love taking the kids to this one and soon I will do the trail to crows pass from the nature center."
Safe wildlife viewing opportunities: Families can enjoy wildlife watching with proper precautions. "The view from some of the sites out over Turnagain Arm is amazing!" shares Vicki S. about Porcupine Campground, noting it's "at the very end of the Hope road."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: RVers seeking full services have options on and off base. Taylor B. describes Black Spruce Campground as having "All campsites were pull through. Facilities were nice and well maintained. Full hook ups."
Size accommodation: Many campgrounds accommodate larger rigs with suitable spaces. Tanya B. notes that Porcupine Campground has "large spots that should fit the biggest RV. There are some pull through spots as well."
Year-round options: Some RV facilities remain open beyond the typical summer season. Megan W. highlights that Black Spruce Campground operates "Open year round with 50/30/20amp sites (seasonal water hook up as well)," providing "spaces are decently sized with a picnic table and charcoal grill set up, and trees offer some privacy."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK?
What camping is available near Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK offers a wide range of camping options, with 116 campgrounds and RV parks near Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK and 9 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK?
Which is the most popular campground near Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK is Eagle River Campground — Chugach State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 33 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK.
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