Glamping sites near Girdwood, Alaska offer wilderness accommodation options in the Chugach Mountains, where elevation ranges from 250 feet in town to over 3,000 feet on surrounding peaks. The region receives approximately 200 inches of snowfall annually and maintains cool summer temperatures averaging 55-65°F. Cabin and yurt options typically require advance planning due to limited availability during peak summer months from June through August.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Eagle River Campground — Chugach State Park, campers can observe native Alaskan species in their natural habitat. "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. Look up every so often because there are also bald eagles around," notes reviewer Melisa A.
Lake activities: Eklutna Lake Campground provides multiple water recreation options including kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding on glacier-fed waters. A camper mentioned, "The hiking around the Lake is great. There are several trails of varying lengths depending on your preference. Kayaking on the Lake is great fun too."
Canoe trail system: Finger Lake State Recreation Site Campground features an extensive water trail network. "7 miles of canoe trails, a swimming beach, and nice campsites make this a weekend getaway!" reports Shadara W. The interconnected waterways allow paddlers to navigate between different lakes in the area.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Matanuska Lake State Recreation Area offers spacious tent camping with natural separation. As one visitor explained, "The tent sites in the back are great. They are huge and have privacy between them. Despite being right off the state route, it stays pretty quiet from the road traffic because of all the trees."
Family-friendly amenities: Anchorage N KOA Journey provides facilities specifically designed for groups with children. A reviewer shared, "The park had helpful and friendly staff, clean bathrooms, a nice laundry facility, and even a playground with a communal pavilion for people to gather round together."
Waterfront locations: Many campers appreciate the lakeside settings available at Trail River campground. According to one reviewer, "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."
What you should know
Bear safety precautions: The region has significant bear activity, particularly in Eagle River and surrounding areas. "Don't keep your food out of a secured box or by your tent. Make sure you take bear spray and/or a gun with you. Also bring bug spray as the mosquitoes can be quite viscous," advises Melisa A.
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate from May through September, with limited or no winter accessibility except for specific cabin and yurt rentals. Trail River campground has a defined season from "May 24 to September 1" according to campground information.
Reservation requirements: Historic Hope Cafe & Campground and other popular sites fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. A visitor noted, "This park fills up quickly and does have electric hook ups. It is always worth a call ahead because of the limited campgrounds in Hope they can fill up quickly especially if there are bands playing in the area on the weekend."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Finger Lake provides ideal conditions for first-time campers. "Great place to bring kids especially on a first camping trip. Dog friendly. Tent friendly. Can accommodate large RVs. No spot is bad," explains one reviewer.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. Stan K. from Eagle River Campground reported, "Camped in a beautiful setting. Enjoyed time together as friends and family," highlighting the family-oriented atmosphere.
Group activity spaces: Trail River offers designated areas for family gatherings. "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! We'd have kayak races, funny sack races, scavenger hunts and volley ball games," shared Sierra S.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up availability: Electric connections are available at select sites, with Eklutna Lake Campground featuring both electric and sewer hookups. Lisa S. mentioned about Eagle River, "Located around 5 minutes to Eagle River. Beautiful location on River. ADA accessibility. Dump station on site."
Road condition warnings: Access roads to some campgrounds require careful driving. A reviewer at Trail River noted, "The road out to this campground is bumpy so take it slow. There are many potholes in the dirt road to this campsite."
Site size considerations: RV campers should check length restrictions before booking. One visitor at Anchorage N KOA Journey warned about site variations: "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," while noting "Site K4 was definitely a much better site with plenty of space for our size rig."
