Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Girdwood, AK

This is one of the better mat su campgrounds. It does have some great day use parking and 39 campsites. On clear days the lake is beautiful. The trails are nice and well-maintained we also enjoyed the dog park. There are a number of pavilions that can be used but people with reservations to have priority.

Nice, well equipped campground. Sits right on the Eagle River. River is very fast, so advise watching pets and children carefully. Close to Anchorage, but far enough out of town to get away from the hustle. Still a slightly busy campground in summer months.

Cheap at only $17 a night, great for the raceway just down the road or for accessing the ATV trails. Dry sites with fire pits and tables, all pull through sites for 1-18, 19-26 in main area off the parking lot side back up to the forest. First come first severed, no holding of sites and no cutting of trees. Pets allowed on leash. Surrounded by mountains on three side so beautiful views too.

Great spot close to our home of Anchorage for when we don't want to go too far. Large pavillion great for get-togethers right along the river and includes it's own bathroom. Semi-seclude sites give privacy with large open areas at your fire pits, great for groups. Some double sites perfect for camping with friends. Pet friendly just please keep the leashed and clean up after them. Watch for bear activity and make sure to keep all food and enticing items locked up.

This is a great little campground between Anchorage and Girdwood, right along the Turnagain Arm inlet and Seward Hwy.  While the road noise from the nearby (and busy highway), could be loud at times, things mostly quieted down during the nighttime hours.  This first come-first served campground is popular on weekends because of the proximity to Anchorage, where folks usually rent RV’s to explore the Kenai Peninsula – so plan ahead. 

The campsites are spacious, but only about half of the sites can accommodate larger RV’s; the rest can only manage a small van or travel trailer.  There is plenty of space in each site to set up a tent, if that’s how you’re going to roll. The sites were clean, as were the vault toilets.  Water is available in a few spigots distributed throughout the park, but they recommended boiling the water to be safe.  Bring your solar panels, as these sites don't have electrical hookups!

There is a beautiful nature trail leading to the Bird to Gird (biking/walking path) for the young and old alike. Biking the path along the old railroad line is a great way to spend the afternoon.  Bike all the way to Girdwood and reward yourself with some of their famous Blueberry fritters at Alpine Cafe and Bakery, which is right off the path at the intersection of the Seward and Alyeska Hwy.  

Two other awesome natural features of the area are Byron Glacier (easy hike) and the bore tide. During certain times of the month, the incoming tide creates an incoming wave of water that is large enough to surf.  Be sure to look for the tidal information online or in park's posted materials.  Warning!  Do not wade out into the water, the tidal mud is like quicksand and many a casual visitor has become entrapped. Heed the warnings of the locals, don’t wade out into the mud flats!

Girdwood has many services, including gas, the aforementioned fritters, laundry and showers, groceries, bakeries, restaurants, golf course, and a ski mountain. Might we also recommend the Girdwood Brewery with its food trucks!

Ptarmigan Creek is one of my favorite places to take friends camping in AK. It is on the way to Seward, and a close drive to visit Exit Glacier. The creek can be pretty rapid, but the fishing is good. Pack your trash away, there are bears in the area. I used to make this a required camping stop after going to the Girdwood Forest Fair.

We were hard pressed to find a camping spot in Girdwood, but we found this one to have nice scenery and uncrowded. There were some pretty small sites and we were lucky to find one suitable for an 8 person tent. It sites in a really beautiful spot near the Crow Creek Gold Mine. Being from Alaska, we are used to mosquitos and flies, but our experience here was quite traumatic. We set up after the sun started setting and were up in the morning before the sun rose over the mountains. It was all well and good until the sun was shining bright and the temperature rose. As soon as it got warm, an insane amount of flies came out. We are not talking 10-15, we are talking 50-75 each on my husband and I. We couldn't not pack up fast enough! As we packed up, the kids stood there smacking flies off of us and each other. I am not sure if the insane amount of flies are just from the warm winters and really warm summers or what. It might be worth staying here again if we check the fly situation first.

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. Biggest downside is that it is close to the highway. The turnagain arm is beautiful, and if you are lucky, you might see beluga whales. Portage glacier and Girdwood are just a little farther south and worth exploring as well.

The wildlife is amazing. You can see eagles, sheep, moose, and bears (if you are lucky). Don't camp or hike without either bear spray or a gun.

If you're camping in Portage Valley, expect rain! This whole area (Portage and Girdwood) is classified as a rain forest so everything is wet most of the time. It's a few miles down the road (on the right) leading to Portage Glacier and Whittier. The campground is small with only about 11 sites, and the road/pads are not paved. Each site has a campfire ring and wooden picnic tables - most are pretty mossy! Hand pump for water is available. Sites are fairly close together and I wouldn't recommend them for larger campers or motorhomes. No camp host at this site. Head on over the Williwaw Salmon Viewing Area when the fish are running. And check out the Begich-Boggs Visitors Center to learn all about glaciers, local wildlife and history of the Portage area. If you can't get into Williwaw (just down the road) then this is a good alternative.

A short drive from Anchorage, this campground is on the Turnagain Arm side of the Seward Highway. It's tucked into the woods - and while you'll hear highway traffic, you won't see it. This area underwent some upgrades a few years back and the facilities are much improved. You're right along the water and the opportunities for whale watching are high. Or catch a glimpse of the bore tide, or wind/kite surfers. Silver salmon are running in July and August so walk over to Bird Creek to see the combat fisherman. Bears are looking for meals too so be aware.

We've brought our bicycles along to ride along the paved route - the "Bird to Gird(wood)" trail. It's 12 mile (one way) or 24 round trip, and a fairly flat elevation. If you make it all the way up to Alyeska Resort, treat yourself at the famous Bake Shop! It can get a little windy so make sure you're properly clothed, especially kiddos. Helmets and sunglasses are a must.

Granite creek is a great stop in between Anchorage Alaska and anywhere else south.

I only gave it a four stars because tent users must place there tent on gravel or pavement and not dirt so they can regrow the dirt areas.. As I know how important this is.. we had tents.. Not at all comfortable even with pads under us. So if you are an RV or camper trailer you are in luck!

Camp sites are spacious and have a fire pit and table. There is also plenty of trees and vegetation between camping spaces so you feel far away.

You can reserve a spot and I would recommend this if you plan on camping in the months of late June, or July.. as fishing season is truly a season here in Alaska and camp sites are golden. Water pumps and state bathrooms are here. Anytime you can get a toilet and paper in the woods is a plus :)

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 and you can bring your choice of boat to fish or float in the lake. ( Remember if you fish in Alaska you need a fishing license ages 16+)

You get an amazing view of kenai mountains here and your typical Alaskan wildlife.. magpie, moose, eagle and sometimes bear.. although we have never seen a bear here, I highly encourage bear safety. This includes keeping your camp clean, food in your car and carrying bear spray.

Dogs are allowed here and we have never been told to leash them.. we rarely see a camp host coming site to site except to check that you have paid properly.

Some sites border the kenai river which can run pretty vast, cold and hard, so if you so choose that site please be respectable of the water and its ways.

There is a fee for staying here around 14.00 and a lovely little ice cream parlor at the corner to tell your children that if they are good camping you for see ice cream in their future :)

All spots are close to one bathroom or another. Train does run by at 6 am so it makes a great alarm clock. Quiet time ends at 6 am. Half the camp sites are next to the bike path so watch your dogs. Dry camping and you can reserve cabins but have to do way in advance.