Best Campgrounds near Girdwood, AK
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.
