Best Tent Camping near Gustavus, AK
Searching for a tent campsite near Gustavus? The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots near Gustavus. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Gustavus, Alaska's most popular destinations.
Best Tent Sites Near Gustavus, AK (8)
1. Bartlett Cove Campground — Glacier Bay National Park
Gustavus, Alaska6 Reviews•26 Photos•6 SavesThe 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
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3. Pinta Cove Shelter Lookout/cabin
Be the first to review!Gustavus, Alaska•1 SaveAn 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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4. St. James Bay State Marine Park
Auke Bay, Alaska1 Review•1 Photo•1 Save- Pets
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5. Admiralty National Monument
Auke Bay, Alaska2 Reviews•4 Photos•2 SavesAdmiralty National Monument ACTIVITIES Boating Fishing Hiking Hunting Wildlife Viewing Fire Lookouts/cabins Overnight Swimming
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6. Bohemia Basin Shelter Lookout/cabin
Be the first to review!Hoonah, AlaskaAn Adirondack style emergency shelter at the mouth of Bohemia Creek on the north end of Lisianski Strait. The shelter is supplied with a wood stove, food preparation table, and sleeping bunks. This shelter has an outside deck with an assessable ramp and access to a rock fire ring with a bench. Access to the shelter is by floatplane or boat to a small boat dock and gangway managed by the City of Pelican. This is also the trail head for the 4.0 mile primitive trail to Takanis Lake. This shelter is available for recreational use on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not required. Firewood is not provided. ACTIVITIES Boating: A small boat dock is available for use at the shelter. This dock is managed by the City of Pelican. Hunting: Big game hunting in season possible from this shelter. Refer to http://www.adfg.alaska.gov for species, permits and regulations. Picnicking: Picnic on the deck of the shelter or the designated fire ring with a bench. 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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7. Auk Recreation Area Shelter 5
Be the first to review!Auke Bay, Alaska•5 PhotosOverview
The Picnic Shelter #5 is part of the Auk Recreation Area and is located adjacent to a scenic beach on the northern shoreline of Auk Bay, once a village site for the Auk Tlingit Natives. It is the last shelter on the west end of the picnic area. It is the largest of the five shelters in the recreation area.
Natural Features:
The shelter overlooks Auk Bay and is surrounded by a western hemlock and Sitka spruce forested area.
Recreation:
The area offers fishing, water activities, picnicking, hiking, and berry picking.
Auk Recreation Area includes a large day use area on the shores of Auk Bay. The area includes five different shelters, picnic tables, drinking water, fire rings and a trail. At the Auk Bay Harbor commercial operators offer sport fishing, kayak rental, and whale watching tours.
Facilities:
Shelter #5 has a maximum capacity of 40 people. The maximum group size allowed with this reservation is 74 people. Parking can be limited on sunny days due to crowds and is available above the shelter next to the highway (use caution loading and unloading). The shelter is accessed by a metal staircase or a fully accessible ramp. There are three picnic tables inside the shelter and a fire place. There are two grills next to the shelter, and a fire pit on the beach. There is a two-hole vault toilet a couple hundred feet from the shelter, and water spigot with city water on site. The path in front of the shelter leads to Auk Village Campground and Pt. Louisa. The opposite way leads to the restroom and another shelter.
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$40 / night
8. Skaters Cabin Shelter
Be the first to review!Auke Bay, Alaska•3 PhotosOverview
Skater's Cabin Shelter is located on the shore of the southwest corner of Mendenhall Lake, near the Mendenhall Glacier. The cabin was constructed in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and is made with natural stone.
Recreation
The site is a popular destination for viewing beautiful scenery, biking, picnicking, and hiking.
Facilities
The Shelter has a maximum capacity of 20 people. The maximum group size allowed with this reservation is 74 people. The cabin is equipped with a covered porch and two movable picnic tables along with a wood stove. Outside facilities include a large group fire ring in front of the cabin and a stationary wood picnic table and a fire ring adjacent to the southwest corner of the cabin. The area is accessed by a trail that meets accessibility guidelines and leads to the beach.
A potable water hydrant and accessible vault toilets are also provided. The picnic area has two additional picnic sites with fire rings and tables designated for non-group use (they are not a part of this reservable site).
Natural Features
Skater's Cabin is on the shore of Mendenhall Lake, in view of massive Mendenhall Glacier that is surrounded by mountains that rise from 4,000 to 7,000 feet above the glacier.
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Recent Tent Reviews in Gustavus
47 Reviews of 8 Gustavus Campgrounds
Angie G.
Ranger
Mendenhall Lake Campground
Glacier View in the Tongass
After being unable to find good reviews of campsites here, I took what I could find and gambled on a site. We were in tent site 021. It was a gorgeous site, had a large picnic table, bear box, water spigot between us and the site next to us, fire pit, clean pit toilets and a clean bath house. This campground has backpacker sites, RV sites, and car sites as well. We had a short walk through the moss on a trail that led down to Mendenhall Lake. It had a gorgeous view of the glacier. We enjoyed listening to all the birds and it was a pretty quiet campground.
There are a few sites close to boggy areas and they can be mushy and muddy, especially after a rain. There is a map on the reservation website where you can kind of see it. Our site was fabulous.
The trails are not far from the campground, so they are walkable.
- Angie G.Ranger
Auk Village
Wilderness Bliss
This campground has 11 sites and we were lucky to get #5, right across from the pit toilets so we didn’t have to walk far. We had a great site, bear box, campfire pit, and a fabulous view when you walk to the edge right behind your site! We didn’t put any hammocks in the trees or do any cooking on site, as it is black bear country and you don’t want any uninvited guests. We went to the picnic shelter at Lena Cove for our morning breakfast and hung our hammocks in the shelter for the morning. We had great views of Auke Bay and Lena Cove.
I could not find any reviews to pick a site but I reserved this one and it was gold! We had a water spigot close to us in the campground, but there are no electric or water supplies at the sites. You need to bring your own firewood because some sites say it was supplied, however, due to low crew numbers they can’t keep up with demand.
Melissa W.
LegendMendenhall Lake Campground
Great location, nice sites
Tent camping review. This was a great camp ground. Very clean and quiet. You can't beat the proximity to the park and hiking. Some of the sites even have great views. Each site has plenty of privacy, so even with intermixed RV's it stays pretty quiet. The showers were okay, not the cleanest and not the hottest but got the job done. My only complaint was coming after dark the first night to someone clearly squatting with their RV in our site. The camp hosts do not mark each site with the booked reservations (even though the posts clearly say that the section we were in were "reservation only". So people just drop in and take sites, assuming they aren't reserved. We attempted to solicit the camphosts help but in the 4 nights we stayed there, we never saw the hosts available once. We asked the people to move the next morning in daylight- not wanting to start anything or end up shot by knocking on their door and asking them to move that first night. However, that meant that we set up in someone else's potentially reserved site and started a huge domino effect. So I recommend getting there early to make sure your reserved spot isn't taken.
Shari G.Legend
Bartlett Cove Campground — Glacier Bay National Park
Beautiful Campground to Start an Unbelievable Journey!
This “semi-developed” campground in the park at Bartlett Cove near the Visitor’s Center is simply stunning. Campsites are free but require a permit and short briefing at the Visitor’s Center on the backcountry bear protocol. The campground has 36 individual walk-in sites (3-group sites) and the closest are around 1/4 miles from the parking lot. The park provides wheelbarrows to help tote your camping gear to the site. I point this out because we waited until arriving at the Visitor’s Center to prep our gear and food for our sea kayak trip and the distance from our campsite and parking lot required a lot of schlepping gear, food and many, many steps. It did, however, contribute to the remote feel of the campground.
The campsites themselves, are simply bare spots on which to pitch your tent – no picnic tables or fire rings, but there are composting toilets in the campground. No sites in the park can accommodate camping from your vehicle or trailer, though there is at least 1 small RV park in Gustavus about 10 miles away.
Supplies and food should be brought with you, as the options for purchasing in Gustavus are limited. The park gift shop as well as the town’s general store does sell camping fuel in the small and green canisters – these cannot be brought on any airplane if you fly in. At the campground, all food needs to be prepared and consumed on the rocky beach, in the intertidal zone, away from the camping area so that all food smells and debris are carried away by the water and do not attract bear curiosity. Regardless of the weather, you must cook here so bringing a small rain fly is a good idea. Food must be stored in the food cache shelters scattered along the trail winding through the campsite.
As the weather can be cold and rainy anytime during the summer the park provides warming huts which are 3 sided shelters with wood stoves that a perfect place to hang out, dry off and warm up. Firewood is both copious and free. No food consumption or preparation should be done in these shelters. Back Country camping is available anywhere within the park except areas that are closed. Rangers will provide information on campsite selection as well as a lot of other information in the mandatory backcountry briefing held twice a day(10am& 6pm at the Visitor's Center).
Check out our video of our backcountry experience in Glacier Bay here: https://youtu.be/bYmf6GKT5kA
- Shari G.Legend
Mendenhall Lake Campground
Big Surprise!
We’ve been full-time camping in our vintage camper for over10 years, and in that time we’ve taken some “camping trips” without our rig, Hamlet. This time we hopped on the ferry from Haines down to Juneau and pulled out the tent for a few days in this amazing campground. We were just looking for the least expensive place that was close to the ferry terminal in Auke Bay, but struck gold in the hills just above. This might be one of the best traditional campgrounds we've ever stayed in with some of the most stunning views in our "backyard."
The campground is laid out along the southern bank of Mendenhall Lake, and offers drinking water, flush, and vault toilets and hot showers -- at no extra charge. Did I mention that camping here will only set you back $10 per night? We cannot remember such an inexpensive camping experience that offered showers. These $10 sites don’t offer electrical hookups, so bring your solar panels and solar generator or power bank and you’ll be all set.
The western trailhead is a short walk from the campground, but the Mendenhall Visitor's Center on the east side of the lake is just a few miles away. There are many trails, photographic viewpoints and opportunities to paddle on this side of the lake, but parking is competitive because it is such a popular area- including with the busses from the cruise ships docked in town. So, get there early. We enjoyed paddling on the lake where we got great views of the glacier and Nugget Falls, but keep your distance from icebergs. We watched one crack and roll not too far from where we were paddling, had we been closer I might not be writing this review.
The Mendenhall Valley has all the amenities you could expect from the Juneau suburbs, grocery stores, malls and restaurants. Downtown has a few more options as well as Douglas Island, just across the bridge.
Bradee A.Ranger
Peterson lake campground
Beautiful views
4 spots with picnic tables and fire pits. Clean bathrooms and big trash cans that got emptied while we were there for 4 nights. Low GCI service. Water spout that didn’t work for us. Beautiful central location for the Kenai peninsula. Highly recommend.
Nikki S.
GuideAuk Village
Love Alaska
This is a favorite spot where our family has camped for years. Most recently we took 2 of the grandkids. No cabins, but beautiful beach to walk. Quiet paradise. Fire pits and we’ll maintained pit restrooms.
- JJenna E.
ScoutMendenhall Lake Campground
Fantastic
Stayed here two nights - reservations must be made in advance on recreation.gov. Hot showers available, as well as a stocked bathroom. 12/10 recommend.
Aubrey G.GuideMendenhall Lake Campground
In the woods camping, in the "city"
So lucky to have found this campground. The price cannot be beat starting at $10. Although you are aware of others around you, there is enough forest between most campsites so you get the real roughing it kind of feel without actually hiking out. We got a great site, walk down to the water's edge and see the glacier smack right in your face. Amazing! There is a river further in, so choose your site wisely if camping with kids, pets or partiers! We didn't see a bear, but we did see the beaver! They have a bear cache at every site, so amazing for the price. Highly recommended. It's a 1 way loop so don't make the same mistake I did and go the wrong way! The hosts are very nice and chatty. The troopers do drive through from time to time but never bothered us.
- Jacquline M.Scout
Mendenhall Lake Campground
I love this place just not the forest service officers so much...
I stay here every summer with my s.o. and our pets and absolutely LOVE it here. The f.s officers could use some grooming but mostly they are okay as long as you are polite and follow the rules they usually leave you alone. They are helpful but tend to not want to listen when you try and explain a situation, any how other then that the camp grounds are usually always clean and I've never had a problem finding my site. And if I've ever needed a food bear box or anything I've always gotten it asap. Overall pretty awesome place to just kick back enjoy the view and relax the day away.
Tanya B.LegendPeterson lake campground
Never knew this was here
This campground has one site with a picnic table and a fire ring. However you can camp anywhere that there is parking. This is on a well-maintained road and would be great to bring a kayak. I look forward to spending a lot of time at this campground.
- MMike T.Scout
Mendenhall Lake Campground
Lake side sites
The sites on the right on the lake can be great. However, on a sunny day the wind will likely blow hard off the glacier making it very cold till the evening, which in summer can mean 10pm or so. I’ve lived just s couple block from here for 30 years. Trust me
Mike L.GuideBartlett Cove Campground — Glacier Bay National Park
BEAUTIFUL!
Abundance of wildlife. Trails to hike. What an amazing place to visit.
- Dana G.
TravelerMendenhall Lake Campground
Views of the Glacier are beautiful!
This is a very nice campground set back from Mendenhall lake and the famous Mendenhall Glacier. Bears frequent this area and sometimes wolves too. If you are looking for that wild Alaska experience you can have it here. Lots of hiking around there. Once that salmon start running you can walk on the man made walkway next to the creek and watch bears catch salmon to feed their cubs! Truly an amazing experience! If you make it there during the winter bring your cross country skis and ski through the campground, or across the lake to the glacier.
- Lisa S.Ranger
Mendenhall Lake Campground
Great place to take scenic photos
Excellent location on lake offering a spectacular view. Nice campground, cozy and only offers less than 70 sites. Full hookups are available at some. Picnic tables and fire rings are available at sites. There is also a dump station and restrooms available. Hiking trails are close. As is the Mendenhall Glacier accessible from the Visitor Center
- Josiah P.Guide
St. James Bay State Marine Park
St. James State Marine Park
St. James State Marine Park is located approximately 35 miles northwest of Juneau and 45 miles south of Haines. The park encompasses St. James Bay, Boat harbor, and continues north up the valley which drains the area. The area has abundant protected anchorages, concentrations of fish and wildlife, and beach landing areas.
The average temperatures in the summer are in the 60's, rare highs hitting 80, which I was blessed to experience. Have warm clothing and quality rain gear, as inclement weather can set in quickly and last for days. Snow can begin to accumulate as early as October.
The recreational use of St. James Bay is extremely high. The bay, easily accessed by small boat from the Amalga Harbor boat launch, Auke Bay, or Juneau, is a popular area for wildlife viewing, photography, waterfowl and big game hunting, sport fishing, boating, kayaking, and camping.
- Josiah P.Guide
Bessie Creek Trailhead
Beautiful camping area & hike
The Bessie Creek Trailhead & Camping Area is near the end of the road North of Juneau. Beautiful wildlife, water, & forest! If you are up for a creekside hike, Cowee Creek is not far from this site.
- Josiah P.Guide
Mendenhall Lake Campground
Conveniently located & Beautiful
Easy access to epic beauty from the airport. The glacier brings the temperature down significantly from the surrounding area ❄️ All of the campsites are furnished with picnic tables, tent pads & fire rings with grills. Water faucets & accessible vault toilets are provided, as are two accessible flush toilets and shower facilities. A dump station & trash dumpster are located on-site.
- Josiah P.Guide
Mendenhall Lake Campground
Beautiful Mendenhall Glacier, Lake, & River
Explore the lake via kayak, hike the short park trails, explore the far side of the lake - this is a great spot just minutes from the Juneau Airport. Before you go: you must reserve a spot online in advance & spots tend to fill up quickly in July & August.
- Josiah P.Guide
Admiralty National Monument
Epic Island
Amazingly beautiful & rugged island. Experiences with wildlife here are epically fulfilling.
- Josiah P.Guide
Admiralty National Monument
Remote, Rugged, Spectacular
Inspiring wildlife 🌊⛺️🎣🐟🦅 🦌 🐋 🐻
- Angie W.Traveler
Mendenhall Lake Campground
Mendenhall Campground- Wonderful!
It was a wonderful campground! Right on the lake overlooking the Mendenhall Glacier. The bugs are manageable. the campground is clean and well organized. you have to reserve before you arrive, cannot pay when you get there. The bathrooms are clean and well interspersed. There are showers with hot water. There is a section for tent camping, RV camping, and backpack camping. The campground itself is located near tons of hiking trails, kayaking/rafting opportinities, and the Glacier viewing center is nearby. We loved it!
- Sierra S.Ranger
Mendenhall Lake Campground
Crystal blue just for you
Must see beauty in Juneau. This beautiful site is not only spectacular but conviently close to town. After setting up camp you can explore the trail to get close to the glacier and see beautiful waterfalls!
- James L.Scout
Mendenhall Lake Campground
Awesome
Great place for the family, bears do frequent the area so keep site clean.
- James L.Scout
Mendenhall Lake Campground
Mendenhall campgrounds
This place is great!!!! Close to town yet out in nature.
- Kaylee M.Traveler
Auk Village
Nature is Beautiful
Absolutely loved this campground, It was very quite and the scenery was beautiful. This is a very quite spot tucked away from the city. We loved camping here and will be back!
- Eric M.Scout
Auk Village
a hidden jewel!
great site, nice woods, if you have a fishing license you can fish off the beach, great for swimming as well because it is a protected cove. Great historical site, an ancient village with historical marker as well as a beautiful totem nearby that tells an interesting story. Nearby in auk harbor is a milkshake to die for. People are friendly, easy to find firewood to have a nice cookout. Not unusual to find deer walking through the campsite. If you are into exercise the University has a gym up the road that you can use for a couple of bucks. Also the bar nearby has a great dart room for those into those kind of things. A couple of mile drive to Eagle River (brown bear) or the glacier (black bear) . you can find bears visiting the creeks and streams this time of year through september. As an afterthought you can rent a kayak and have some fun on the water.
Guide to Gustavus
Gustavus, Alaska, offers a unique tent camping experience surrounded by stunning natural beauty and abundant wildlife. Whether you're looking for a remote getaway or an adventure-filled trip, there are several options to explore.
Tent campers appreciate these amenities
- At the Bartlett Cove Campground, campers can enjoy composting toilets and food cache shelters, ensuring a comfortable stay in the wilderness.
- The St. James Bay State Marine Park features accessible beach landing areas and protected anchorages, perfect for those looking to combine camping with water activities.
- For a more primitive experience, the Bessie Creek Trailhead offers a beautiful setting with vault toilets, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature.
Some prices for tent camping are free
- Camping at Bartlett Cove Campground is free, but a permit is required, making it an affordable option for budget-conscious campers.
- The St. James Bay State Marine Park also offers free camping, allowing visitors to enjoy the stunning scenery without breaking the bank.
- While specific pricing details for the Bessie Creek Trailhead are not listed, it is known for its low-cost camping options, making it a great choice for those looking to save.
Local activities for adventurous campers
- The Bartlett Cove Campground is a gateway to kayaking adventures, where you can explore the breathtaking Glacier Bay and spot wildlife like whales and sea otters.
- At St. James Bay State Marine Park, visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing, making it a perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
- The Bessie Creek Trailhead offers access to scenic hikes along the creek, providing opportunities to witness the area's rich wildlife and lush landscapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Gustavus, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Gustavus, AK is Bartlett Cove Campground — Glacier Bay National Park with a 4.8-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Gustavus, AK?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Gustavus, AK, with real photos and reviews from campers.