Cabin camping near Girdwood, Alaska offers access to the Chugach State Park area with elevations ranging from sea level to 1,900 feet at Spencer Bench Cabin. Winter temperatures typically drop to 5-20°F while summer temperatures average 50-70°F, creating distinct seasonal camping experiences. Most cabins require reservations months in advance, especially for the May to September peak season.
What to do
Alpine hiking trails: Spencer Bench Cabin provides access to ridge trails with multiple small lakes and waterfalls. "After you settle in at the cabin, continue hiking to the ridge. There are a lot of little lakes and waterfalls all around!" reports one Spencer Bench Cabin visitor.
Bicycle adventures: The paved trail near Bird Creek Campground makes it ideal for cycling enthusiasts. "Situated right along Bird Creek bike path this is a great place to stay if you love to ride your bike. Whale watching and fishing are also two things to help pass the time," notes a Bird Creek Campground reviewer.
Whale watching: Turnagain Arm near Bird Creek offers opportunities to spot beluga whales. "We also went looking for Beluga whales in Turnagian 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," shares one camper.
What campers like
Cabin seclusion: Bird Creek's cabins offer privacy within wooded settings. "State restrooms made sharing a bathroom easy. There is a small wood stove and wood supplied for each cabin which was amazing! A lil kitchen area is built in for your food prep pleasure," notes one Eagle River Nature Center visitor describing their cabin experience.
Wildlife viewing: The area offers frequent sightings of bears, moose, and eagles. "This is a great place to see bears! Moose.... Foxes. The waters are clear and the landscape is so lush," explains a reviewer at Eklutna Lake Campground.
Expansive trail networks: Many cabins connect to extensive hiking routes. "Many choices for length of hikes depending on which loop you choose. This is bear county so bring your bear bells. Loved the hikes so much we decided to rent the cabin for my birthday," shares one reviewer.
What you should know
Challenging access: Some cabins require significant hiking. "It's a 3 mile hike up 1800-1900' of endless switchbacks but the views are amazing," warns a Spencer Bench Cabin visitor about the trek to reach this accommodation.
Limited utilities: Most cabins lack electricity, requiring visitors to bring lighting solutions. "No electricity so bring your choice of lighting. Also I recommend headlamps for winter months as bathrooms are a small treck from the secluded wooded cabins," advises a Bird Creek camper.
Bear precautions required: Bear activity is common throughout the region. "This is bear county so bring your bear bells. I HIGHLY recommend a camera, as were took few too many pics.. and Bear spray. Never let your guard down when you hike here," warns a Crow Pass Cabin visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Bring games: Evening entertainment options are limited without electricity. "We stayed for multiple nights with several kids. Board games and card games were essential after dark since there's no electricity in the cabins," shares one family.
Extra sleeping bags: Cabin temperatures can drop significantly at night. "The small wood stove helps, but it won't keep the cabin warm all night. We brought extra sleeping bags even in summer, which was smart with kids," notes one Bird Creek cabin user.
Short hikes: Choose cabins with minimal hiking access for young children. "Large campground north of Anchorage, Lake Eklutna is the Anchorage water supply. Glacier-fed, the water is COLD, but my dogs jumped right in anyway," shares a visitor to Eagle River Campground describing the family-friendly setting.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups: Most sites near Girdwood are dry camping with few amenities. "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," advises a Bird Creek camper.
Seasonal restrictions: RV access is typically limited to summer months. "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."
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience highway sounds. "Get there early for a spot on the weekends. Sites are small for the most part, better for RVs or a small tent. Some traffic noise throughout," notes a Bird Creek reviewer about the proximity to nearby roads.
