122 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Chugach National Forest and Chugach State Park provide the primary camping options surrounding Girdwood, Alaska, a small resort town about 40 miles southeast of Anchorage. Established campgrounds like Williwaw and Bird Creek offer developed sites with basic amenities, while backcountry camping opportunities exist throughout the surrounding mountains. The Crow Pass Cabin provides rustic shelter for hikers on the historic Iditarod Trail. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from late May through early September, with limited winter access. Gold Creek Gold Mine area allows informal camping with existing fire rings, though site sizes vary considerably.
The Girdwood area experiences significant precipitation as part of a temperate rainforest ecosystem. According to one camper at Black Bear Campground, visitors should "be prepared for WIND, I mean big wind. Bring extra stakes if tent camping. Be prepared for rain, lots of rain." Most campgrounds lack electrical hookups or shower facilities, though some provide drinking water via hand pumps. Cell service is unreliable throughout the region, with reviewers noting "AT&T was pretty much useless and Verizon was not much better." Bear activity is common, requiring proper food storage and carrying bear spray. The Portage Valley area south of Girdwood receives particularly heavy rainfall, with one reviewer noting "this whole area is classified as a rain forest so everything is wet most of the time."
Wildlife viewing opportunities rank among the top experiences for campers. One visitor to Bird Creek Campground noted, "The wildlife is amazing. You can see eagles, sheep, moose, and bears." The paved Bird to Gird trail connects Bird Creek to Girdwood, offering a 12-mile one-way cycling route with minimal elevation change. Seasonal considerations include insect activity, with one camper at Gold Creek warning about "an insane amount of flies" during warm summer days. The Turnagain Arm coastline provides opportunities to witness the bore tide phenomenon and occasionally spot beluga whales. Winter camping is limited but possible, with Alyeska Resort in Girdwood offering winter recreation opportunities including skiing and snowboarding.
"This is a great little campground between Anchorage and Girdwood, right along the Turnagain Arm inlet and Seward Hwy. "
"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."
"The “city” of Girdwood is awesome. This place has trails that can take 30 minutes to complete up to 2 days (Crow’s Pass) with a views that can’t be seen anywhere else."
"We had a blast camping in Girdwood during our 24 hour adventure race! It was so nice and peaceful around the campfire!"
"The air was crisp and cool, close to a flowing creek and a trail, a hand pump for water was next to the site, and the triangular fire pit was cool!"
"It is centrally located between Anchorage and the Peninsula but has so many things to offer. Trip through the Whittier tunnel is a definite. "
from $23 - $33 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"Weren’t too many people here so it was secluded and peacefully situated in the mountains with good views. Small waterfall and creek with many ways to get there."
"This section along Turnagain Pass is one of my favorites to drive, and Betha Creek Campground is right alongside it- I would imagine many don't even realize it's there!"
from $8 - $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."
from $19 / night
Check Availability"There is a really nice boardwalk and the drive to this campground is great. This is a smaller campground with only 12 sites that are not suitable for RVs. "
"Watch for mosquitos (like everywhere in Alaska!) and be prepared for plenty of road noise echoing off the valley walls."
from $19 / night
"All the shows you see on t.v that look like "wild Alaska".. this is it!! If you choose to start the Girdwood side you will travel south via Glenn Highway from Anchorage approx 45 minutes."
from $75 / night
Check Availability"No walk ins, online reservation only."
from $30 - $50 / night
Check Availability
TravelerCame on Aug 14. It’s mostly an RV site. There are basic pit toilets and dumpster. No water at the site but there is water and showers at the harbor from what we heard. Pay through the app Lots of flies
GuideThis was a great find on our way to Whittier. We had an amazing view of the glacier. Campground was clean and quiet. Hiking trails are through the park too.
ScoutEasy payment system right at the entrance which takes card. No issue finding a site and there was overflow camping on the way out. Toilets were clean. Definitely go check out the river!
ScoutThere's probably around 30 sites here they are not numbered they are somewhat private separated by trees and brush and some of them are right next to the river there is no tables fire rings are made of rocks not very well maintained some not to level
GuideClose to road so easy access. Water pump. Vault toilets. On lake summit
LegendGeneral: 83-site Good Sam RV park, plus 15 long-term sites. 72 are pull-through; the rest are back-in.
Site Quality: Roads are gravel, but sites are on grass. The grass was a bit high in our site (22). Sites are close together with no separation, as is typical of Alaska RV parks.
Bath/Shower: Six all-in-one units with sink, toilet, and shower. Clean but NO SOAP in any of the bathrooms.
Activities/Amenities: Spacious laundry room ($4/wash; $2 for dryer, but I needed two cycles of the dryer). Quarters are available in the office. There is a reservable covered pavilion. Dog walk area. Propane fill available. Cell service is limited (Verizon), and I was not able to connect to the WiFi in our campsite (I believe you could in the laundry room).
This is fairly typical of RV parks we have found in Alaska. It really annoyed me that there was no soap in the bathrooms; I am not in the habit of bringing soap with me when I go to the bathroom; this deducted a star in my review.
GuideTent sites up to a few larger RV sites. 3 miles up a dirt road. Historic mine next door where you can pan for gold. 28-30' is probably the largest rig you want to take there. No walk ins, online reservation only.
GuideThe campground is clean and has nice grass, flowers and shrubs separating the rows of campers. Grass pads so get on an open to the sky site for sun and wind to keep it dry. Good potable water, dump for $6. Bathhouse leaves a lot to be desired. I couldn’t take a shower in there it was so flooded and muddy.
GuideOnly accepts cash. Must be bear aware. Bears every time we’ve been there. Would not recommend soft side campers or tents. Use available bear proof food safes.
Primitive campsites near Girdwood, Alaska sit within a temperate rainforest ecosystem that receives significant precipitation throughout the year. Located between mountains and Turnagain Arm, camping options range from walk-in tent sites to established campgrounds with basic amenities. The area experiences cool summer temperatures averaging 55-65°F and frequent rain, even during peak camping season from May through September.
Bike the trail system: The paved Trail of Blue Ice provides excellent biking opportunities near Williwaw Campground. "We have stayed at Williwaw many times and we really enjoy biking the trail to the visitor center and along the salmon stream. My kids learned to bike without training wheels on the paved loops in the campground," reports Dylan H.
Whale watching: Turnagain Arm offers opportunities to spot beluga whales and witness bore tides. According to Shannon C. at Bird Creek Campground, "We spent most of our time hiking in and around the area. Many cool and unique hikes including one where you have to use a manual pulley thing to get across a huge river. We also went looking for Beluga whales in Turnagain Arm which is just across the way from the campground. If you didn't bring binoculars, don't worry. The state has many of them posted up along the side of the road."
Fishing opportunities: Several creeks in the area offer fishing for smaller species. At Bertha Creek Campground, one camper notes: "Small waterfall and creek with many ways to get there. My favorite path is the one behind the water pump that goes to a wide, rocky bank that is easily fish-able. I'm sure there's fish in the creek but I couldn't catch any."
Natural soundscapes: The sound of flowing water enhances many camping experiences. "We were facing the river and waterfall, which allowed for amazing ambiance," writes Brian J. about Bertha Creek Campground.
Solitude and seclusion: The smaller, less-known campgrounds offer more peaceful experiences. "It seems as though people don't know about this one and it's so nice. We felt alone in a beautiful place. And in such a pretty area!" reports Kimberley B. about Black Bear Campground.
Convenient access to Anchorage: Many campers appreciate the relatively short drive from Alaska's largest city. According to Tanya B., Bertha Creek is "a small campground of only 12 spots that fill up during the peak season... This is a centrally located campground and a great choice for first time camping. Close to Anchorage but still out in the middle of nowhere with no cell phones."
Weather preparation is essential: The Portage Valley area experiences particularly heavy rainfall and wind. Tanya B. warns about Black Bear Campground: "This campground has all three warnings, sometimes. Wind, water, and wildlife... It is centrally located between Anchorage and the Peninsula but has so many things to offer."
No reservations at some sites: Several campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Elizabeth G. notes about Bird Creek: "This campground has 22 sites and 2 public use cabins. There's bathrooms but no showers. Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table and there are trails within walking distance of your campsite. We stayed during the off season so we ended up in the camp host site accidentally since it was one of the few that wasn't still covered in snow."
Limited amenities: Most campgrounds provide only basic facilities. According to Lisa F., at Bird Creek Campground: "Campsites are pretty spaced. You get a picnic table and a fire ring for $20 bucks a night. Yes, there is road noise but that does calm down at night. Pit toilets around, clean and stocked. No water, so bring some."
Bring bikes for kids: Paved campground loops provide safe places for children to ride. "We use this campsite every August as a 'Going back to school Celebration' for parents or a 'Last hang out of summer' for the kids. The paved loop offers good space for biking, throwing a ball or side walk chalk," writes Aimee H. about Granite Creek.
Consider cabins for cooler weather: Public use cabins offer more protection from the elements. Aimee H. shares about Bird Creek Cabin: "We rented a cabin $95 a night and took approximately 12 young ladies in the chilly month of November! Daring, I know! But state restrooms made sharing a bathroom easy. There is a small wood stove and wood supplied for each cabin which was amazing!"
Expect traffic noise: Many campgrounds are situated near highways. "Individual camp sites do not have fire rings and the camp sites are close together. Right next to the road so road noise was an issue," notes Brendon B. about Girdwood Campground.
Site selection is important: Some campgrounds have limited spaces for larger vehicles. According to Dylan H. at Porcupine Campground, "This is a standard campground with large spots that should fit the biggest RV. There are some pull through spots as well."
Paved campgrounds are available: Williwaw Campground offers better access for RVs. Delaine N. reports: "This is a hidden gem!! It has completely paved roads. Each site is paved and very large. There are some pull throughs. It is super quiet and very well maintained. Unbelievable for $18 a night."
Limited hookups throughout the area: No electrical connections are available at most sites. "No hookups but beautiful," notes Shadara W. about Williwaw Campground, adding that while there are "pull through, back in and standard sights close to the river with easy access to the Trail of Blue Ice," campers should be prepared for self-contained camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available near Girdwood, AK?
The Girdwood area offers diverse camping experiences within a short drive. Bird Creek Campground — Chugach State Park is located between Anchorage and Girdwood along the stunning Turnagain Arm inlet, providing hiking trails and possible beluga whale sightings. For a more secluded experience, Williwaw Campground offers sites near flowing creeks with hand-pump water access and hiking trails. Additionally, backcountry enthusiasts can explore the Crow Pass Cabin area, which showcases the wild Alaska scenery often featured on television shows.
Where are the campgrounds in Girdwood, Alaska?
Girdwood offers several camping options both within and near the town. Girdwood Campground is located in the heart of this scenic area, offering access to numerous trails including the challenging Crow's Pass that takes up to 2 days to complete. Just outside Girdwood, you'll find Gold Creek Gold Mine, a more primitive camping area with established sites featuring rock fire rings. These campgrounds put you in the perfect position to enjoy Girdwood's natural beauty while providing different levels of amenities depending on your camping style.
What amenities are available at Girdwood's Base Camp?
While specific details about a facility called "Girdwood's Base Camp" aren't available in the reviews, the Girdwood area offers several campgrounds with varying amenities. Campgrounds in the region typically provide fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Some, like those in Chugach National Forest, feature hand-pump water access, hiking trails, and designated camping spots. The Bertha Creek Campground in the Chugach National Forest is representative of facilities in the area. For the most accurate and up-to-date information about a specific Base Camp facility, contacting the Girdwood Visitor Center directly is recommended.
Are there RV parks in or around Girdwood, Alaska?
Yes, there are RV-friendly options near Girdwood. Cooper Creek South provides a great alternative when more popular nearby spots fill up, featuring many of the same amenities as busier campgrounds while being less in demand. This campground works well for group camping with roomy sites. For those seeking additional RV accommodations, Ptarmigan Campground is located on the way to Seward and offers good fishing opportunities, though visitors should be bear-aware. Most campgrounds in the area operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is recommended, especially during peak fishing season.
Keep Exploring
