RV camping near Girdwood, Alaska puts travelers within 40 miles of Anchorage while providing mountain scenery along the Turnagain Arm. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing from October through April, with summer highs rarely exceeding 70°F. Many campgrounds near Girdwood have limited seasonal availability, typically closing by mid-September.
What to do
Fishing excursions: Visit Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge & RV Park where campers can access prime fishing spots. "Along the Kenai River a great place for RVer's that are needing a fishing fix. The main lodge is just a short walk away too," notes one visitor.
Lake activities: At Fox Run Lodge & RV Campground, travelers can enjoy water recreation on Matanuska Lake. According to a camper, "Our RV door opened up to a view of the gorgeous lake. Plenty of amenities and the on site restaurant is a gem. The Thai food was REALLY good."
Cultural experiences: The nearby Palmer area hosts the annual Alaska State Fair in late August. "Because of its proximity to Anchorage, Wasilla, and Palmer you are not far from anything," says one camper about staying at Fox Run Lodge while visiting local attractions.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Anchorage N KOA Journey receives positive feedback for its maintenance. "Cleanliest, coziest, well-taken care of place. Bathrooms and showers were 10/10. Spots had space, grass, fire pits, full hook up and dump hook up," reports one satisfied visitor.
Family amenities: Many campers appreciate the kid-friendly features at certain parks. "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," notes a family that stayed at Anchorage N KOA Journey.
Waterfront sites: Forget Me Not RV Park offers lakeside camping options. "We chose #8 a beachfront site. #7 is wider for anyone trying to decide which one. There is a older swing set for smaller kids to play on and there are kayaks, canoes, & paddle boats for rent," explains a recent visitor.
What you should know
Highway noise: Several parks near main roads experience traffic sounds. At Forget Me Not RV Park, "You do hear noise from the Highway and it looks like there are some long term residents that were running their generators consistently."
Limited services: Most RV parks near Girdwood have restricted seasonal operations. Mountain View RV Park charges "$45 a night for two people in a single RV it includes Wi-Fi, full hook ups, and laundry/shower access. Each person over the age of 12 is an additional five dollars per night."
Military access: Some parks like Black Spruce RV Park on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson require military credentials. "One of the better places IMO to park my rig while out here in this beautiful city. Definitely worth making this place a home at," notes a military camper.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: "They made a nice sandy beach" at Forget Me Not RV Park according to visitors, making it ideal for children who want to play near the water.
Entertainment options: Look for parks with recreation equipment. "There is a older swing set for smaller kids to play on and there are kayaks, canoes, & paddle boats for rent. A fire pit and wood table provided at each site," reports a family that visited Forget Me Not.
Lodge amenities: Some resorts offer additional perks. At Golden Nugget RV Park, "Showers were clean and free. Nice laundry room. About 1/4 of park is occupied by long-term residents - clean and well maintained."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When booking at Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, one RVer notes, "The sites were split on two sides of a wide road with a large turnaround area, so backing into Site 35 with FHUs (30 AMP) was easy."
Connectivity concerns: Cell service varies significantly in the mountains. A visitor to Kenai Princess reports, "Verizon gave us 2 bars, while T-Mobile had no service."
Supply runs: Stock up in larger towns before heading to remote areas. "The nearest major amenities were about an hour away in Soldotna," advises an RVer who stayed at Kenai Princess, while at Fox Run, "Because of its proximity to Anchorage, Wasilla, and Palmer you are not far from anything."
Seasonal limitations: Most parks have limited operating seasons. Mountain View RV Park remains popular during its open months with "excellent cell phone and Internet coverage at this park. Distance from anchorage is 40 miles. The best sites are the farthest from the tree line so you can see the great mountain views."
