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Best Tent Camping near Juneau, AK

41 Reviews

Tent camping opportunities in Juneau, Alaska include primitive sites and established campgrounds for backcountry enthusiasts. Admiralty National Monument offers remote tent camping with opportunities for wildlife viewing and backcountry experiences, while Bessie Creek Trailhead provides forest camping near the end of the road north of Juneau. St. James Bay State Marine Park, accessible primarily by boat, offers tent sites and basic facilities approximately 35 miles northwest of Juneau.

Most tent campgrounds near Juneau have minimal amenities, requiring campers to be self-sufficient. Pit toilets are available at St. James Bay State Marine Park, but other locations lack restroom facilities. Campfires are permitted at St. James Bay, though prohibited at Admiralty National Monument and other locations. Visitors should pack in all necessary supplies including drinking water, as potable water is not available at these sites. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with summer temperatures typically in the 60s and potential for early snow accumulation starting in October.

Tent sites throughout the Juneau area provide exceptional opportunities for wildlife observation and photography. The remote nature of these campgrounds ensures solitude and immersion in Alaska's wilderness. St. James Bay State Marine Park offers protected anchorages and beach landing areas popular for wildlife viewing, photography, and sport fishing. A review noted, "Amazingly beautiful and rugged island. Experiences with wildlife here are epically fulfilling." At Bessie Creek, campers can enjoy "beautiful wildlife, water, and forest" with access to nearby creek-side hiking trails. The area's natural setting provides tent campers with authentic Alaskan backcountry experiences away from developed areas.

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Best Tent Sites Near Juneau, Alaska (4)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Juneau, AK

41 Reviews of 4 Juneau Campgrounds

  • Josiah P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2018

    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.

  • Angie G.
    May. 27, 2024

    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.
    May. 26, 2024

    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.

  • Lisa S.
    Apr. 26, 2019

    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

  • J
    Jul. 28, 2017

    Mendenhall Lake Campground

    Staring Into The Past

    After a month of kayaking in Glacier Bay, stumbling off the ferry and taking the bus to the campground Mendenhall campground felt like luxury. Without a doubt the best hot showers I've ever had camping. The proximity to the glacier and the views from around the lake are astounding. Mt McGinnis on the west and Mt Bullard and Thunder Mountain to the East. The shark fin and the towers piercing out of the ice field. It's all jaw dropping regardless of what direction you turn your head.

    The campground is walking distance to multiple trails including the west glacier trail that approaches the glacier or splits off and climbs to summit Mt McGinnis as well as the visitor center. Also big heads up there were the famed ice caves but those have long collapsed and as of my visit no new caves have formed.

    Bear boxes are at each campsite as well as fire pits. By far my favorite established campground in Juneau. Only downer in my opinion is having to reserve online first.

  • Tanya B.
    Aug. 15, 2020

    Peterson 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.

  • Jacquline M.
    Dec. 5, 2020

    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.

  • Melissa W.
    Oct. 29, 2023

    Mendenhall 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.

  • Sierra S.
    Jul. 13, 2018

    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!

Guide to Juneau

Tent camping near Juneau, Alaska offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in stunning natural landscapes and abundant wildlife. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, outdoor enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to set up their tents and enjoy the great outdoors.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $25

  • The Admiralty National Monument provides a rugged and beautiful setting, perfect for those looking to experience the wild side of Alaska.
  • At Bessie Creek Trailhead, you can enjoy a scenic camping area with access to hiking trails and stunning views of wildlife and water.
  • St. James Bay State Marine Park offers a picturesque environment with opportunities for fishing and wildlife viewing, making it a great choice for budget-conscious campers.

Tips for tent camping near Juneau

  • Be prepared for unpredictable weather; pack warm clothing and quality rain gear, especially when camping at St. James Bay State Marine Park.
  • Consider reserving a spot at Skaters Cabin Shelter, which offers a shared picnic cabin and is accessible by boat, providing a unique camping experience.
  • Always check for local regulations regarding campfires and pets, as some areas like Auk Recreation Area Shelter 5 have restrictions in place.

Local attractions to explore while camping

  • While camping at Bessie Creek Trailhead, take advantage of the nearby Cowee Creek for a refreshing hike along the creekside.
  • The wildlife experiences at Admiralty National Monument are unforgettable, with opportunities to see various species in their natural habitat.
  • Enjoy the serene beauty of St. James Bay State Marine Park, where you can engage in activities like kayaking and photography amidst stunning landscapes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Juneau, AK?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Juneau, AK is Admiralty National Monument with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Juneau, AK?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Juneau, AK, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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