For those who want to experience Girdwood, but still want the creature comforts of home, consider glamping for your trip. Glamping near Girdwood is especially popular among campers who enjoy beds and electricity. The Dyrt makes it easy to find glamping for your Girdwood adventure.
$5 - $100 / night
Eagle River campground is located along the beautiful Eagle River. The campground has 57 sites with picnic tables, fire pits, water, latrines, flush toilets and dump station. Overflow camping area of 10 sites, and a Campground Host. Downtown Eagle River is a short 5 minutes from the campground and has all the amenities of a small town. ★ ADA Facility - Yes ★ 57 Campsites (see fee page) ★ No RV size limit ★ Camping Limit - 4 nights ★ Daily Parking Fee - (see fee page) ★ Toilets - ♿ ★ Water - ♿ ★ Picnic Sites ★ Picnic Shelter (1) ★ Sanitary Dump Station
Trail River Campground, set between the Trail River and Kenai Lake, provides lake, river and snow-capped mountain scenery among the hemlock and spruce forests of the Chugach National Forest. It lies within driving distance of two main tourism destinations; 24 miles north of Seward and 40 miles east of Cooper Landing, AK. Miles of hiking and biking trails weave throughout the area. Moose, brown and black bear, sheep and goats can be found across a large parts of the forest. Kenai Lake marks the headwaters of the Kenai River. The campground is situated on the Eastern Kenai Peninsula at elevation 450 feet.
The Day Use Site at Trail River Campground provides beach access to Kenai Lake. Many people enjoy fishing, collecting driftwood, skipping rocks and walking along the beach. The view of the mountains surrounding Kenai Lake is gorgeous. Snow is present in the high peaks and avalanche chutes until the end of August. Trout fishing can be very productive from the beach at Trail River Campground as well as at many nearby streams. The lake is home to Dolly Varden, rainbow trout and lake trout. Although trout fishing is open year-round in Kenai Lake, special restrictions apply within 1/4 mile of inlet streams. Kenai Lake is not open to salmon fishing. Anglers are required to have a State of Alaska Fishing license and obey all regulations. Within a one-mile radius of the campground entrance, are five trails: Falls Creek Trail, Crown Point Mine Road, Ptarmigan Creek Trail and Vagt Lake Trail. All of these trails run roughly east-west and provide access to the Iditarod National Historic Trail (INHT) which runs north-south. The INHT is an ongoing project to build a '"southern trek" connecting Seward (Mile 0 of the Iditarod Trail) to Eagle River (north of Anchorage). Currently, sections of this trail are still under construction, and several bridges are missing. However, links between Falls Creek Trail and Ptarmigan Lake Trail as well as between Vagt Lake Trail and Crown Point Mine Road make loop hikes possible. The Falls Creek OHV Trail is a half mile north of the entrance road. This steep trail provides good views of Kenai and Lower Trail Lakes and is deal for hikers and experienced OHV enthusiasts. A second option for motorized recreation is the Crown Point Mine Road. This trail is located one mile north of the campground entrance road at the end of Mine Road. This historic mining road leads above tree-line and provides great views. South of the entrance road is the Ptarmigan Creek Campground. This campground is also the location of Ptarmigan Creek Trail as well as a day use area with a fish-viewing platform where you can view spawning salmon in the late summer and fall. Ptarmigan Creek trail steadily gains elevation as it follows Ptarmigan Creek to Ptarmigan Lake. A round trip to the lake and back is seven miles. In the winter, the campground is closed and the campground's entrance road and loops are groomed for freestyle and Nordic skiing.
The Chugach National Forest covers the eastern half of the Kenai Peninsula and extends around Prince William Sound. It covers over 5 million acres and is characterized by jagged mountains, deep fjords, glacier-fed rivers, and dense forests. This rich natural area supports many miles of productive fishing streams as well as wildlife populations.
For local information, please call (907) 522-8368 or call (907) 288-3178 for general information.
Trail River Campground is located close to many tourist destinations. Within the Seward Ranger District, many world-class trailheads and day use areas await discovery. The newly-remodeled Seward Ranger District Information Office, is one mile south on Ranger Station Spur. There, friendly forest service employees can help you gather information, interpret the local ecology, purchase area maps, and offer advice about the Chugach National Forest. From this campground, possible day trips include wildlife viewing in Kenai Fjords National Park, rafting down the Kenai River, and a visit to Portage Glacier. Portage Glacier, is located in Portage Valley, a 14-mile isthmus that connects the Kenai Peninsula to mainland Alaska. Glacial remnants that can be seen today are Explorer, Middle, Byron, Burns and Shakespeare glaciers. Portage Valley is also home to the Begich Boggs Visitor Center, a world-class visitor center with a full-time interpretive staff and exhibits ready to inspire and explain the natural area.
$200 / night
$10 - $30 / night
$85 / night
$25 / night
Big Bear is now a KOA Journey!
Conveniently located close to all the amenities you need while offering pristine Alaska wilderness views, Palmer/Anchorage North KOA is open year round and is your ultimate gateway to a world of camping adventures. Discover the awe-inspiring Matanuska Glacier, embark on scenic hikes in Hatcher Pass, and immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the region at the Palmer Museum of History and Art. With our year round campground as your base camp, nature enthusiasts can experience the true essence of Alaska. Situated conveniently on the route to and from Denali and just a mere 1-mile detour from the Canadian highway, Tok is often the first welcoming point in Alaska after crossing the border. Our charming town makes for the perfect next-day stop on your journey, offering a wealth of amenities and services to ensure a smooth travel experience. Easily positioned for outdoor excursions, including hiking and wildlife viewing, endless opportunities for exploration abound. Your camping adventure begins here amidst the serene Alaskan vistas, and Palmer/Anchorage North KOA is your perfect launchpad for a multitude of exciting activities. Explore the rugged beauty of the Matanuska Glacier, delve into the region's cultural and historical treasures, and make the most of your outdoor adventures. Your unforgettable Alaskan camping experience starts with us.
Alaska Fishing Trips, Glamping and Yurt Sites in Cooper Landing Alaska.
$100 / night
$20 - $25 / night
Guide
In mid August we had very few mosquitoes. We also had our pick of some of the best camping spots I’ve ever seen. We became spoiled boomers and kept passing up sites until we got a close walk to the lake, a close walk to the well pump, and a close walk to the pit toilet(very clean). Also a short drive to Seward for all the tourist amenities.
Traveler
This is a lovely campground. They have great amenities. The only 2 reasons I gave jt 4 ⭐️ is because half the washers are out of order leaving only 3 working and the sites are close together.
GuideBeautiful lakeside setting, inexpensive well maintained facilities. Lots of camp sites, both rv and tent. Sites are fairly private. Quiet. Lots of families. Good camp host.
Traveler
We stayed here twice in our travels on Alaska. First appearance, the grasses are overgrown at the “entrance” and i was concerned. The fee both looks abandoned. But we actually saw there were some beautiful camp sites. Nice size for rvs if all lengths. Our table needed some help and it is obvious the camp is not being maintained. The bathroom was clean. Some sites you can hear the river and some road noise. The river is beautiful. There is a dumpster but it is on an upper level next to the dump station which is closed. The first time we did not realize this and took our garbage with us. All in all, it is not a bad campground. The trees are beautiful. We also had a moose and calf hanging around. We came back for a second visit. We used it as a jumping off point for Anchorage. Also the Eagle Nature Center and its trails are amazing! Saw a bull moose there. Would use again if not super picky. We are camping folks! For $20 I would not complain.
TravelerLimited water (20gal a day). No hookups, no trash service and no rv dumping, bathrooms are pit toilets and very dirty. I have been here 3 separate times across three weeks and noticed everything like that bathrooms were extremely stinky and dirty. Have to walk to the entrance of the campground to dispose of any trash.
ScoutCampground was undermanned, underfunded, dumping station, broken bathrooms, dirty the trail, though followed the Eagle River and was nice lots of mosquitoes 
Scout
Great fishing guides
LegendI needed a place to stay between Anchorage and Glen Allen. I was shocked this campground wasn't in Dyrt (found it on google). We actually ended up staying here two separate times- on our way North east and coming back South West. This State Rec Area is extremely clean. It's nice that there are tent sites separated from their RV sites (nothing worse than being in a tent and stuck hearing an RV's generator or TV all night). The RV lot is basically a parking lot but without many other options it would probably do the trick for an RV. The tent sites in the back are great. They are huge and have privacy between them. There's a vault toilet which is kept clean. No services or amenities but it's not far to the town of palmer. Despite being right off the state route, it stays pretty quiet from the road traffic because of all the trees. There's a pay station to pay when you arrive and pick your site. This was perfect in the shoulder season and in-between cities. I apologize I didn't get any campground pictures to post!
Legend
Location and price is right and that is what you pay for. $35 for hookups for the night whereas the other campground in town was $80. Huge difference. We just needed a quick stop near Anchorage on our way to Seward.
We got a level spot with electric, a dump and water station. One picnic table near us in good condition the other in poor. Grass is not mowed well. Bathrooms live up to the reputation, absolutely terrible. You can only stay here 14 days a year which is just fine. Lots of reviews about the homeless which left me concerned but I didn't see that has a huge issue. Maybe they cleaned it up? Not sure. I didn't not feel totally safe walking trails just because the place was a little sketch but it was fine for a nice. Right near highway for convenience but also a lot of highway noise but with windows closed it wasn't bad. Slept just fine!
Legend
This place is a secret wonder, just off the Glenn highway north of Anchorage. The autumn color was spectacular here! It was raining and cold in early September, but simply gorgeous.
The first-come, first served sites are on the smaller side and very wooded; with lots of space in between sites, but not a lot of open canopy. This was a bit of challenge for our rooftop solar, but we used portable solar suitcase on an extension cord to capture some sunlight.
The bathrooms are simple, but clean, vault toilets. Water is available at spigots located throughout the campground loop. The lake offers lots of stunning recreation opportunities for flat water paddling and fishing -- careful, the lake can kick up some pretty mean chop during windy afternoons.
Hiking on the Twin Peak trailhead is just around the corner, and cycling along the main road could be a great way to get some hill climbing exercise, as it’s a steep road up to the lake from the Glenn. If you are visiting the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer, this is a great close by campground (about 30 miles away).
We loved that this campground had the feeling of a remote, wilderness campground but all within an hour’s drive of Anchorage. There is one local tourist ice cream shop just a few miles back down the road, which offers food, showers, and laundry. It is only open during the summer months. Further afield the suburban area around the interchange between the Glenn and Parks Highways has all of the services campers need about 30 minutes to the north of the campground.
LegendAshley here with The Dyrt. We're so happy to have David on our platform. He offers a cozy yurt for a party of 4. No running water but there is heat! Book a guided fishing trip and leave your review here!
TravelerGreat campground. Wish some of the spots were on the lake though because that’s it’s star player. Amazing hikes of the lake, glacier, and waterfalls that flow into it. Normal stuff here: pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits. All spots are paved. It’s $20/night but you can pay with credit card at a kiosk or cash like usual.
ScoutFighting and cussing 82 complaints of criminal kind:
LegendWe enjoyed the camping here but the day use are was the real show stopper here! 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.
TravelerMy family used to frequent this ground and I recently revisited it.
There are two phenomenal aspects to this campground: 1) the lake, and 2) the inter-camp trails.
There are beautiful little paths between the camp sites that makes this place feel like a fairytale.
The lake is one of the most beautiful in the world, and virtually all yours.
Two important things to note: no cell service and insane numbers of mosquitos. I got a couple messages out, but that’s it.
GuideWe booked a one night stay here as a trial run with our brand new travel trailer. Our daughter loved it so much that she begged to stay another night. Luck was on our side as there was a last minute cancellation and we were able to extend our stay 1 more night. 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. We would stay here again. There was a bit of road noise from the nearby highway but our family wasn't bothered at all by it as we are used to living on a base with lots of jet noise. Pet friendly and Wi-Fi is available and free! Propane, water fill, and dump station are available at this park.
GuidePlenty of camp sites available and a short walk to the lake. Water and trash service available but no dump station. Grab your overnight ticket using your license plate number (not space number) and pick out your favorite spot from 50 different sites. Lake allows electric motors only and it's pretty shallow from shore, so I think the best fishing will be by kayak or dinghy.
Guide
We didn't have a reservation but there are a number of first come first served sites. I would try to show up closer to noon after people are leaving those sites. All of the non reserved sites were full by about 3p. Several reserved sites remained empty despite having a reservation.
GuideThis campground has nice size sites for RV's. If you are tent camping (I am), there's one pull in to 3 sites so you are close to strangers if your friends don't come. The toilets are clean but smell awful. One can also hear quite a bit of road noise and military aircraft all day because the campground is near both. Nice quick stop. $20 a site per day.
TravelerTrails were beautiful, lake view beautiful, lots of animals to see. The bugs weren’t to bad. Nice little place before the campground if you would like to get cleaned up, wash clothes or just to sit and have a scoop of ice cream on a hot day. Cell service: no Campsites: 50 large enough for bigger campers or RVs Water : yes Bathrooms: yes Trails: yes Atv and horse trails all with beautiful views.
GuideDecent campground with boat launch and day use area. Clean bathrooms and group sites available.
TravelerGreat spot to stay for a nite or two. Bring your fishing pole as you're close to the river. Enjoy what Alaska has to offer!
GuidePerfect
ScoutOnly a few sites with a view of the river. Camp host not around. Sites were coned off with reservation dates a month old. We weren't sure if we could use them or not. We thought the sites were large & then realized the site was actually 2 sites right next to each other. Weird. Very few sites that were actually single sites with privacy. Our site backed up to hill which we thought was nice & private until 4 young kids came squeeling down the hill. The area is OK but the site layouts are kind of yucky.
GuideThe campsite was very private and 2min walking from the lake
TravelerAll the amenities you would need including laundry. Don’t plan on playing fetch with your dog. They will enforce the leash rule within seconds. Lots of signs posted everywhere of all the things you can’t do. Feels like you are being scolded all the time. But it is clean and well maintained
Guide
Great little spot right on the Cook Inlet. We came for live music and ended up parking the vehicle and camping. $10 to stay the night - I hung up a hammock and my friends put up a tent. Public bathroom less than a block away. Loved it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Girdwood, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Girdwood, AK is Eklutna - Chugach State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 39 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Girdwood, AK?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 glamping camping locations near Girdwood, AK, with real photos and reviews from campers.
