Best Campgrounds near Moose Pass, AK

Moose Pass, Alaska sits at the junction of several camping environments within the Chugach National Forest, offering both established campgrounds and dispersed options. Trail River Campground and Quartz Creek Campground, both managed by the Forest Service, provide developed sites with basic amenities like drinking water and toilets. The Moose Pass dispersed area allows more primitive camping with fewer facilities but greater flexibility. Tern Lake offers tent camping in a scenic setting, while nearby Primrose Trailhead serves as a gateway to backcountry adventures. Most established campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from late May through early September.

Weather conditions significantly impact camping experiences in this part of Alaska. Most campgrounds close during winter months, with the exception of Primrose Trailhead which remains accessible year-round. As one camper noted, "Seaplanes take off from the lake during the day - pretty awesome. No onsite services. Seward offers free dump and potable water near their RV parks." Cell service varies throughout the area, with Starlink, Verizon and AT&T reported to work well in Moose Pass proper. Bear activity is common throughout the region, requiring proper food storage and awareness. Bug protection is essential during summer months, particularly in areas near lakes and streams.

Fishing opportunities draw many visitors to campgrounds in the Moose Pass vicinity. According to one reviewer of nearby Quartz Creek Campground, "Salmon run up Quartz Creek and once they arrive the Bears will too." Sites along waterways tend to fill quickly during salmon runs from mid-July through August. The Trail River day use area receives particular praise for its scenic value, with one camper describing it as "one of the most beautiful views in Alaska." Most established campgrounds provide fire rings and picnic tables, though some fire restrictions may apply during dry periods. Campers seeking more amenities can find them in Seward, approximately 25 miles south, which offers dump stations, showers, and supplies.

Best Camping Sites Near Moose Pass, Alaska (118)

    1. Trail River

    11 Reviews
    Moose Pass, AK
    6 miles
    Website

    $23 - $200 / night

    "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."

    "The campground provides ample space for large group activities around the pavilion or your own little nook, tucked along the banks of the lakes.

    this campground was so fun to have our gatherings at!"

    2. Quartz Creek Campground

    10 Reviews
    Cooper Landing, AK
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 288-3178

    $23 - $33 / night

    "This USFS Campground is right off the highway at Kenai Lake near Coopers Landing."

    "Quartz Creek Campground is a lovely little spot, situated between Quartz Creek and Kenai Lake. There are 45 spaces at this campground, so it's one of the larger ones."

    3. Tenderfoot Creek

    8 Reviews
    Moose Pass, AK
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 288-3178

    $23 / night

    "We spent 4 nights in Tenderfoot Campground just on the other side of Summit Lake. It is hidden but located at the base of a tall mountain that would be in avalanche danger if snow were in season."

    "Its close proximity to Summit Lake and lake access earned it 4 stars.  Really great place to take a kayak.  If it was not for the water aspect it would have only gotten a 3 star review. "

    4. Primrose Trailhead

    7 Reviews
    Moose Pass, AK
    11 miles
    Website

    "Primrose campground is a tiny place right off the highway in Seward Alaska. Each site has a fire ring and table. There are state bathrooms and a water pump."

    "this campsite is just a short drive outside of Seward and on a gorgeous ice cold blue lake. the sites are conviently locates at the trailhead that can bring you all the way up to Lost Lake by hiking or"

    5. Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    13 Reviews
    Cooper Landing, AK
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 288-7756

    $23 - $33 / night

    "If you asked me where my favorite spot in Alaska is, I might just choose the Russian River."

    "Many Alaska campers know that one bar of cell service is a luxury but being able to get your email too. This is glamping.

    Tent camper please check any restrictions."

    6. Moose Pass

    3 Reviews
    Moose Pass, AK
    3 miles

    "Moose Pass Trailhead

    As with most BLM trailheads, zut services."

    "Saw two seaplanes take off from the lake (take the Southern spot for this).

    Hwy is loud but manageable, train as well.

    Recommendable overnight position on the way to SEWARD."

    7. Chugach National Forest Ptarmigan Campground

    4 Reviews
    Moose Pass, AK
    7 miles
    Website

    $19 / night

    "It is on the way to Seward, and a close drive to visit Exit Glacier. The creek can be pretty rapid, but the fishing is good. Pack your trash away, there are bears in the area."

    "Small, close to Seward, good fishing and hiking. Beware of bears"

    8. Tern Lake

    2 Reviews
    Moose Pass, AK
    4 miles
    Website

    "Couple little trails that hike around the lake. Bathrooms. Also has a couple mile service trail/off road trail that is a fun little drive. 4WD ONLY."

    "Beautiful lake/mountain scenery though. Sometimes you will see Bald Eagles, Trumpeter Swans, Loons, and other kinds of wildlife."

    9. Granite Creek

    11 Reviews
    Girdwood, AK
    17 miles
    Website

    $19 / night

    "Granite creek is a great stop in between Anchorage Alaska and anywhere else south."

    "Each spot is close to the creek so it was great to go see it with such a short walk."

    10. Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge & RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Cooper Landing, AK
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 595-1425

    "The main lodge is just a short walk away too. Grocery store, shower, laundry ADA accessible, Ice and Propane make this a wonderful stop."

    "There were paths around the campground to the lodge and down to the lake, which we enjoyed walking with our pups. There weren’t many grocery options in Cooper Landing."

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Recent Reviews near Moose Pass, AK

402 Reviews of 118 Moose Pass Campgrounds


  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Seward KOA

    Nice KOA

    Our GPS took us straight to this campground just before Seward on Glacier Road. Check-in was quick and easy, and we headed to Deluxe Patio FHU Site 14 with 50 AMP. From the Journey signage, it appeared this KOA had recently been upgraded to a Holiday. The campground was laid out nicely, with sites not squished together. The gravel pad was long enough for our 40’ toy hauler, allowing us to drop the rear deck and still park our F450. Utilities were well-centered on the pad, and having two sewer hookups was especially convenient since we have two black tanks. Along with the usual deluxe patio amenities, we appreciated the astroturf lawn for our pups. Trees lined the side and back perimeters, but with none along the road side we had a clear Starlink shot. The campground also provided Starlink WiFi with download speeds around 22.8 Mbps. Water pressure was steady at 35–40 PSI. Verizon gave us 2 bars, while T-Mobile had none. Amenities included a tidy laundry with three front-load washers and three regular-sized dryers. A fun bonus was hearing sled dogs barking at Turning Heads Kennel next door, an Iditarod competitor offering kennel tours and sled dog rides both there and on the glacier. We also enjoyed watching eaglets in the nest right across from our site. The staff were very accommodating, even moving a grill for us and delivering a propane fill back to our site. Overall, this was a well-run campground with thoughtful upgrades and memorable surroundings.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge & RV Park

    Met Our Needs

    We followed our RV GPS and turned off AK-1 at Bean Creek Rd, which brought us to the Kenai Princess RV Park. A steep left turn led to the office, where we had a super friendly check-in. There was an RV in our site when we arrived, but the office quickly moved them to the overflow. The sites were split on two sides of a wide road with a large turnaround area, so backing into Site 35 with FHUs (30 AMP) was easy. The site was long enough for our 40’ toy hauler, including dropping the patio, and we could still park our F450 crosswise. Sewer connections were at the back center of the pad, with water and electric at the center—no issues. Water pressure was about 40 PSI. Because of perimeter trees and fishermen’s vehicles, we set Starlink on the roof for a clear sky shot. Verizon gave us 2 bars, while T-Mobile had no service. There were paths around the campground to the lodge and down to the lake, which we enjoyed walking with our pups. There weren’t many grocery options in Cooper Landing. The nearest major amenities were about an hour away in Soldotna. Overall, this was a decent campground that met our needs.

  • Reid S.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Exit Glacier Road Designated Special Use Area

    Best car camping experience

    We stayed here over the fourth of July weekend in 2024! The mount marathon race brought a ton of people into town, so the site was full of vehicles. The mountains are incredible, and it's a perfect nook between Seward and Kenai Fjords NP.

  • MG S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Exit Glacier Road Designated Special Use Area

    Very Large Dispersed Camp

    4 stars because of how people treat the camp (discussed below). Overall good dispersed camping. When you pull into the camp, its mostly gravel and rock. Just find a place to plop down and camp. It was a huge area, maybe 5+ acres. Some shrubs around the lot which was nice for privacy. They did have a few porta-potties throughout the lot. Only downside is that since it is not an established campsite, there aren’t any rules. People were driving and riding ATVs at late hours. Cars/trucks would zoom through the lot- almost thought they were going to hit us at some point.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Bing’s Landing

    Good salmon fishing location

    Nice campsites. lots of room. Adjacent to rhe Kenai river, with launch ramp and fishing boardwalks/stairs to river.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Exit Glacier Road Designated Special Use Area

    Quite and Beautiful

    Google maps will take you straight to the entrance. It's a bit hard to see, but you can't miss the massive boulder right next to the road.

    Nice flat area with a lot of areas tucked away if you want privacy.

    There were quite a few people there but everyone kept their distance and were respectful with regard to noise.

  • K
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Granite Creek

    Granite Creek Spot 007

    Super cute campground, had space to park a car and set up a tent. The fire pit was awesome to have but remember to bring your own firewood! Each spot is close to the creek so it was great to go see it with such a short walk.

  • don B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2025

    Russian River - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    Love this campground

    07-25-2025 This campground is open. Came in and got on a waiting list for ff and got a site. On the list again but are sure we’ll get another since there was 3 sites not used in our section last night. If not you can park in overflow for $10


Guide to Moose Pass

Camping near Moose Pass, Alaska, offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you’re looking to fish, hike, or just relax in nature, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Fishing: The area is known for great fishing spots. One camper mentioned, “My family loved our weekend away at the Russian River Campground. It was super easy to make a reservation online, and our loop was a short walk to the boardwalk to get down to the river.”
  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails nearby. A reviewer at Exit Glacier Campground said, “The campground was having a problem with bears in the area, but the hiking trails were fantastic and the views were breathtaking.”
  • Wildlife Viewing: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. One visitor at Granite Creek noted, “Great place to spot mountain goats too.”

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the views. A review for Bird Creek Campground highlights, “This is a great little campground... The campsites are spacious, and the views are stunning.”
  • Convenience: Many appreciate the proximity to amenities. A camper at Seward City Campgrounds shared, “It’s close to the marina and easy walking distance to several shops.”
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers often mention the peacefulness of the sites. One reviewer at Trail River said, “The sites are fairly private. Quiet. Lots of families.”

What you should know:

  • Limited Services: Some campgrounds have limited amenities. A visitor at Miller's Landing pointed out, “Camping is nice with some charming location under trees or next to the bay. However, staff is not really friendly and some sites are not so great.”
  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A camper at Porcupine Campground warned, “The mosquitoes are big and hungry even late into the season.”
  • First-Come, First-Serve: Many campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. A reviewer at Williwaw Campground mentioned, “Always full each weekend of summer so get here early or better yet make a reservation.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for sites with amenities for kids. A parent at Girdwood Campground said, “Great, beautiful spot. Cool walking trail with 17 camp sites. River access, walkable to town, and very quiet.”
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have activities lined up. A camper at Exit Glacier Campground suggested, “Check out the exit glacier trail not too far from there.”
  • Pack Snacks: Keep everyone happy with snacks on hand. A visitor at Trail River noted, “The day use area was the real show stopper here! The lake is one of the most beautiful views in Alaska.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Granite Creek mentioned, “The sites are smaller and it was a challenge to fit our 30-foot camper in one of the biggest sites.”
  • Look for Hookups: Some campgrounds don’t have electric hookups. A camper at Bird Creek Campground said, “Bring your solar panels, as these sites don't have electrical hookups!”
  • Be Mindful of Weather: Prepare for changing weather conditions. A visitor at Williwaw Campground advised, “Bring extra stakes if you are tent camping. Be prepared for wind. I mean big wind.”

Camping near Moose Pass, Alaska, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, it’s a great spot for families and RVers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Moose Pass, AK?

According to TheDyrt.com, Moose Pass, AK offers a wide range of camping options, with 118 campgrounds and RV parks near Moose Pass, AK and 8 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Moose Pass, AK?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Moose Pass, AK is Trail River with a 4.7-star rating from 11 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Moose Pass, AK?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Moose Pass, AK.

What parks are near Moose Pass, AK?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 parks near Moose Pass, AK that allow camping, notably Chugach National Forest and Kenai Fjords National Park.