Are you in need of a campground near Gustavus, AK? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Alaska camping adventure.
The National Park Service maintains a free walk-in campground in Bartlett Cove. The campground features bear-proof food caches, a fire-pit and warming shelter (with firewood provided) located in a very scenic setting along the shore, 1/4 mile south of the Bartlett Cove dock. Stays are limited to 14 days
Mendenhall Campground is situated on the shore of Mendenhall Lake, in view of massive Mendenhall Glacier, about 13 miles from downtown Juneau. The site is a popular destination for viewing beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife. Hiking opportunities abound.
The West Glacier Trail, with an elevation gain of 1,300 feet, can be hiked in 5-6 hours roundtrip. The trailhead is a half mile from the campground entrance by road or on the Aak'w Sit' Trail. The .4 mile Tolch Rock Trail is in this vicinity. The campground has several paths in it with interpretive signs relating facts about the area wildlife and environment.
The campground is situated on the shore of Mendenhall Lake at about 100 feet elevation. Mendenhall Glacier lies to the north and the Mendenhall River flows on the east. On either side of the campground, the mountains rise from 4,000 to to 7,000 feet above the Mendenhall Glacier. The topography is relatively flat and open, consisting of glacial moraines, small lakes and ponds. Forbs and lichens, black cottonwood, Sitka alder, willow and mature spruce hemlock forests cover the area. The forest floor is dotted with blueberry bushes and mosses. At nearly 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest covers most of Southeast Alaska and is the largest forest in the national forest system. The Tongass surrounds the Inside Passage, the network of waterways that buffer the jagged Alaskan Coast and a cluster of coastline islands. The Tongass offers visitors a chance to view wildlife, including eagles, bears and spawning salmon. Expansive vistas, including fjords, glaciers and mountain peaks fill the area. Much of the forest is a temperate rain forest.
Run the rapids down the Mendenhall River, take a helicopter to the top of the glacier, bicycle or hike in the area. Outfitters offer these services. Many trails can be accessed from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center area, including East Glacier Trail, with an elevation gain of 400 feet, takes 2-3 hours roundtrip. Some of the shorter trails in this area include the 1.7 mile Nugget Falls Trail, where the waterfall drops 377 feet in two tiers onto a sandbar in Mendenhall Lake, the 1.5 mile Moraine Ecology Trail, and the .7 mile Trail of Time.
$20 - $36 / night
Auk Village Campground is located 15 miles from downtown Juneau, Alaska, and 1.5 miles from the Alaska State Ferry terminal at Auke Bay. The area offers a variety of outdoor opportunities.
The area offers fishing, wildlife viewing, kayaking, picnicking, motor boating, hiking, berry picking, rafting, sailing, bicycling, and glacier viewing.
The campground sits above Auk Bay in a western hemlock and Sitka spruce forested area. Views of the Chilkat Range and the ocean are spectacular. Bears frequent the area.
Auk Recreation Area includes a large day use area on the shores of Auk Bay. The area includes shelters, picnic tables, drinking water, fire rings and a trail. At the Auk Bay Harbor, commercial operators offer sport fishing, kayak rentals, and whale watching tours.
$20 / night
(12' X 16') Sleeps 8 (maximum 8) with a maximum stay of 3 consecutive nights. $50 per night. Cabins are not furnished with mattresses. Summer access by foot or boat (can haul onto a rocky beach). The foot trail begins at Point Bridget State Park Trailhead parking area at Mile 39 Glacier Highway. The trail is 3.4 miles to the cabin. Winter access: the same trail is open in the winter. Visitors can ski or snowshoe in, but no ATV's or other motorized vehicles are allowed. Primary heat at the cabin is kerosene with an emergency woodstove. It is recommended the user bring a minimum of 1 gallon of kerosene per day to supply heat for the cabin (2 gallons per night in the winter). The fuel storage tank for the stove is on the rear of the cabin. Water supply is snow in the winter and a nearby creek in the summer. Please purify before using. In a dry year, the creek will be dry, so consider bringing a water supply. GPS 058° 40' 42.00"N, 134° 59' 8.56"W.
(14' X 18') Sleeps 6 (maximum 6) with a maximum stay of 3 consecutive nights. $50 per night. Cabins are not furnished with mattresses. Summer access: by foot or by small boats. The foot trail begins at Point Bridget State Park Trailhead parking area at Mile 39 Glacier Highway. The trail is 3.75 miles to the cabin. Winter access: the same trail is open in the winter. Visitors can ski or snowshoe the first 2.5 miles, but no ATV's or other motorized vehicles are allowed. Primary heat at the cabin is kerosene with an emergency woodstove. The fuel storage tank for the stove is on the rear of the cabin. It is recommended the user bring a minimum of 1 gallon of kerosene per day to supply heat for the cabin (2 gallons per night in the winter). None potable water supply is from the creek. Please purify before using. GPS 058° 38' 57.54"N, 134° 57' 56.4"W.
Peterson Lake Cabin was built in the 1980s and named after John Peterson, who started a placer gold mine in this area in 1900. The Peterson Lake Trail that accesses the cabin follows a former tram route for the first 2 miles, and remnants of the tram can still be seen. The cabin is open year-round and is one of Juneau Ranger District's most popular backcountry rentals. This secluded retreat offers the chance to enjoy beautiful scenery and a variety of recreational activities. The site can be accessed by float plane or by hiking, snowshoeing or skiing 4.5 miles from the Peterson Lake Trailhead on Glacier Highway. The trail has an elevation gain of 800 feet. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
The Peterson Lake Trail is partially planked. Hikers can use this trail in warmer weather, but snowshoes and skis are ideal in winter. The trail winds through muskeg and old-growth forest, taking hikers past waterfalls. Cross-country skiing is good in winter, with an undeveloped trail to John Muir cabin (map and compass are recommended). Anglers can fish for steelhead, trout, coho and pink salmon in Peterson Creek below the falls. Visitors can use the cabin's skiff with oars, but they must bring their own flotation devices.
This 12 ft. by 14 ft. cabin is pan-abode style and sleeps six people with two single and two double bunks. The cabin also has a table and benches, a broom, a propane furnace, wood stove and splitting maul. Propane is provided for the furnace. The facility offers an accessible ramp to the cabin, a wider hardened trail connecting the cabin to the new vault toilet and float dock. A picnic table is provided on the front deck, and a cooler box for food storage is attached to the side of the cabin. A fire ring is located outside. A dock is available for float planes and boats. Water, firewood and electricity are not provided. Water is available from a nearby stream, but visitors should be sure to treat water before drinking or cooking with it ( water safety tips ). It is recommended that visitors bring their own water supply. Visitors must provide their own sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cooking stove, lanterns or flashlights, cookware, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and fire starter. Visitors are also expected to pack out trash, empty the cabinets and clean the cabin before leaving ( click here for more cabin details).
The cabin sits on relatively flat land covered in tall grass. The front deck of the cabin offers views of the lily pad-covered lake and the surrounding forest-covered slopes. Peterson Lake is narrow and almost a mile long. The surrounding landscape is marsh and a forest of hemlock and spruce. Distant ice-capped mountain peaks can be seen from the lake. Deer and black bear are common to the area ( bear safety information ). A variety of waterfowl can be seen on the lake.
$75 / night
(12' X 16') Sleeps 8 (maximum 8) with a maximum stay of 3 consecutive nights. $50 per night. Cabins are not furnished with mattresses. Summer access: by foot or by small boats (can haul onto a beach). The foot trail begins at Point Bridget State Park Trailhead parking area at Mile 39 Glacier Highway. The trail is 2.5 miles to the cabin. Winter access: the same trail is open in the winter. Visitors can ski or snowshoe in, but no ATV's or other motorized vehicles are allowed. Primary heat at the cabin is kerosene with an emergency woodstove. It is recommended the user bring a minimum of 1 gallon of kerosene per day to supply heat for the cabin (2 gallons per night in the winter). The fuel storage tank for the stove is on the rear of the cabin. Water supply is from the creek. Please purify before using. GPS 058° 40' 20.48"N, 134° 57' 47.18"W.
An Adirondack style emergency shelter at Pinta Cove. The shelter is supplied with a wood stove, food preparation table, and sleeping bunks. This shelter is available for recreational use on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not required. Firewood is not provided. ACTIVITIES Boating: Motorized boating and marine mammal viewing opportunities at Pinta Cove and Point Adolphus. Hunting: Big game hunting in season possible from this shelter. Refer to http://www.adfg.alaska.gov for species, permits and regulations. Picnicking: Picnic just outside the shelter or on the beach. Fire Lookouts/cabins Overnight: This emergency shelter is available for recreational use on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not required. Firewood is not provided. Swimming
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TravelerCamping near Gustavus, Alaska, offers a unique experience surrounded by stunning natural beauty and abundant wildlife. Whether you're looking for a primitive camping adventure or a more established site, there are options that cater to different preferences.
Camping near Gustavus, Alaska, is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the unique features of the area. Whether you're hiking, kayaking, or just soaking in the views, there's something for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Gustavus, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, Gustavus, AK offers a wide range of camping options, with 32 campgrounds and RV parks near Gustavus, AK and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Gustavus, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gustavus, AK is Bartlett Cove Campground — Glacier Bay National Park with a 4.8-star rating from 6 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gustavus, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Gustavus, AK.
What parks are near Gustavus, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 parks near Gustavus, AK that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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