Camping near Kenai Fjords National Park ranges from convenient town sites to quieter forest spots. Seward City Campgrounds sit close to town amenities, making supply runs easy while you explore the park. Exit Glacier Campground gives you a more quiet setting with good trail access right from your site. Many campers head to Upper Skilak Lake Campground for lake views that show off Alaska's dramatic landscape. Quartz Creek Campground stays relatively calm even during busy periods, which helps if you want some peace. Basic facilities like restrooms and picnic tables exist at most places, though amenities vary by site. Water is generally available, but bringing extra is smart in this remote area. Privacy between sites differs significantly - some are well-separated while others put you closer to neighbors. Trees provide decent shade at most campgrounds, helping during sunny summer days. Most sites work for tents and smaller RVs, though bigger rigs might struggle at certain campgrounds. You'll definitely want reservations during summer since spots fill quickly between June and August. Most places open their booking systems 3-6 months ahead of time. Late May through September offers the best conditions, while winter camping requires serious cold-weather gear and experience. The area has great fishing, miles of hiking trails, and consistent wildlife sightings. Being near Seward means you can grab forgotten supplies or enjoy a restaurant meal after days in the park. Kenai Fjords camping works well for both weekend trips and longer stays.
$10 - $20 / night
"They had last minute room to boondock in an adjacent parking lot, which was also full in August. We stayed 2 nights, the second in an rv site in Resurrection."
"It is so relaxing having your coffee at the oceans edge in the morning. You can see otters and eagles. So much to do and enjoy in Seward. The Sealife center is only a mile away."
"Exit glacier is an amazing destination for all ages and capabilities. Although dogs are not welcome on the hike, it is short enough that you won’t be missed long."
"Stayed here on my big Alaska trip. Really not much to it, but it was a super nice place to stay. I think there was only around 15 sites or so, and they are first come first served."
"Very close to Seward activities and Exit Glacier - Harding ice field hikes. Area can handle most size rigs."
"Google maps will take you straight to the entrance. It's a bit hard to see, but you can't miss the massive boulder right next to the road."
$19 - $250 / night
"There were several nice spots in amongst the trees for tent camping, but for the RV spots, you would want a spot along the beach or next to the bath house."
"Also, sunsets ( when the sun goes down here in Alaska) are breathtaking! Dogs are allowed. Highly recommend this camp ground!"
$45 - $92 / night
"Only a few minutes away from both town and the exit glacier trailhead. Next to no cell service (Verizon) but it had plenty of space. Would stay there again"
"Trees lined the side and back perimeters, but with none along the road side we had a clear Starlink shot. The campground also provided Starlink WiFi with download speeds around 22.8 Mbps."
$13 - $17 / night
"WI think a mile walking distance to downtown Seward. A City shuttle comes for free a couple tines a day. There fishING resources to rent. Cavins, yurts and camp sites."
"We used the resort to set up our tent and venture out into Seward to go ice climbing on the nearby Exit Glacier (pictures and video below)."
"Probably my favorite in Alaska this season and I’ve been to a lot. Tall trees. But come prepared for rain."
"I did however read online later that the dump station is located across from the playground. You chose your spot upon arrival then go check in at the entrance via credit card and small machine."
"Has a creek that runs along the edge of the grounds and a awesome view of the mountains."
$19 / night
"Primrose campground is a tiny place right off the highway in Seward Alaska. Each site has a fire ring and table. There are state bathrooms and a water pump."
"this campsite is just a short drive outside of Seward and on a gorgeous ice cold blue lake. the sites are conviently locates at the trailhead that can bring you all the way up to Lost Lake by hiking or"
$23 - $200 / night
"The lake is one of the most beautiful views in alaska in my opinion. facilities are clean and spacious. Picnic tables and fire pits at each spot."
"The campground provides ample space for large group activities around the pavilion or your own little nook, tucked along the banks of the lakes. this campground was so fun to have our gatherings at!"
GuideCool and quirky campsite names. Some nestled in the trees and some side by side waterfront. Cabins of various levels of accommodation are available. All kinds of fishing charters directly available from office. Good gift shop and a nice little Bistro, coffee place.
GuideOnly accepts cash. Must be bear aware. Bears every time we’ve been there. Would not recommend soft side campers or tents. Use available bear proof food safes.
LegendIdeally situated at the far end of town, this site offers easy access to the old part of town. This campground is far away from the cruise ship terminal and only the most DieHard tourists make it to this end of town.
Having said that this is a primitive campground that is nothing more than a gravel lot with a couple of picnic tables and fire rings. Being self-contained is an absolute must!
Unfortunately for me I arrived in the middle of a rainstorm and the gravel lot is more than a bit muddy. Please see attached photos and video for more details about this campsite.
GuideLoved staying here. Tons of spaces among several campgrounds, many right along the beach. We stayed in Harborside because we booked last minute and it was the only area that had a beachfront spot available. Recommend booking early for that reason. But our spot was great.
Dry camping. Spots are $40+ nightly but they do have a central dump station available, multiple potable water areas available and dumpsters throughout. Sites have picnic tables and fire rings. They are fairly level and wide but it’s basically a parking lot in Harborside and many spots are like a parking spot where you pull straight in. We actually liked this because our motorhome windshield faced the ocean.
Short walk to town, national park visitor center and harbor. We saw seals daily, bald eagles and even a whale directly in front of our campsite. The access to a lot of Seward and the beach is really nice. A lot of people were surf fishing.
Little pricey for dry camping but the views and location are worth it.
LegendLocated just across the street from the Seward MWR military campground, this facility represents what's typical of public campgrounds in Alaska.
Sites are nicely wooded and spacious. The campground also has an on-site host.
The public restrooms however leave a bit to be desired. It should also be noted that the train goes past this campground with some regularity.
Finally, I'm a firm believer in the idea that a pictures worth a thousand words so please see my attached photos.
LegendLocated just outside of Seward this MWR campground/resort offers basic amenities. The laundry room and restrooms are clean and the overall condition of the facility is good.
Please be aware that if you are camping here the sites are extremely close together and there is no privacy except that which you find in your own RV.
Also as noted in the title of this review you must be DOD affiliated to use this campground. That means users must be active duty, National Guard, Reserves, retired military, DOD civilian or authorized DOD contractor and veterans with a VA disability rating of greater than 5%.
Finally as always, I believe pictures are worth a thousand words so please see attached photos and video.
GuideAll sites can view the water and mountains. Beautiful! It is dry camping with flush toilets and showers. Daily clean. Good water. And a city dump station. We were on the back row next to the road and didn’t hear road noise.
ScoutNice variety of spots. Lots of RV and tent spots. The dry only tent spots are decently private, not like being deep in the woods, but the edge of trees to camp in for tents. Has porta potties and showers, plus each spot has a fire ring and table. Overall a pretty decent place, especially if you want to fish. There is a trail that goes directly to the bay/a creek to fish in. Plus you can rent fishing poles and waders there if you didn't bring anything.
ScoutThe camp host was so kind and helped us get situated. It’s a quaint and beautiful site.
Kenai Fjords National Park camping locations range from dense forest settings to expansive lakeside areas. Most campgrounds sit between 50-200 feet elevation, with summer temperatures averaging 50-65°F. Annual precipitation exceeds 70 inches yearly, creating lush vegetation but frequent rain even during peak summer months.
Glacier hiking opportunities: Exit Glacier Campground connects directly to glacier trails. "Great and unique campground with glacier views. Tents only and campground is clean and well maintained. Nice little hike out to the glacier or longer hikes up to the ice field if you want," notes Adam S.
Fishing near campgrounds: Seward City Campgrounds provides waterfront fishing access. "Great access to fishing in Resurrecton bay! Campsites are right on the water and the views are amazing," explains Eric N.
Kayaking on nearby lakes: Primrose Trailhead offers lake access for paddlers. "This campground is across from Kenai lake which is the most beautiful color of blue you have ever seen and in the summer loaded with fish and people," writes Aimee H.
Wildlife viewing from camp: Many campers spot wildlife from their sites. "We were able to see birds and a sea otter steps from our camper," reports Kristi D. about staying at Seward City Campgrounds.
Accessible mountain views: The region's dramatic terrain is visible from most sites. "This campsite is just a short drive outside of Seward and on a gorgeous ice cold blue lake," notes Sierra S. about Primrose Trailhead.
Proximity to trailheads: Exit Glacier Campground sits adjacent to popular trails. "After hiking the Harding ice field, I camped here. It was perfect! Prime location after a long hike, clean & free," says Lauren T.
Clean facilities despite remote location: Bathroom quality varies by location. "Okay so basically if there is running water and a soap dispenser the campground gets an automatic 3 stars. But this is a really nice campground. Probably my favorite in Alaska this season," notes Tanya B. about Forest Acre Campground.
Variety of camping styles: From primitive tent sites to cabins. "Growing up we always had our annual car camp event here. The campground provides ample space for large group activities around the pavilion or your own little nook, tucked along the banks of the lakes," mentions Sierra S. about Trail River.
First-come, first-served limitations: Many sites cannot be reserved ahead. "The sites are first-come, first-serve, and on a busy weekend will fill up quickly," warns Vicki S. about Seward City Campgrounds.
Bear safety precautions: Wildlife encounters require preparation. "The bear storage bin had recently been attacked sporting huge dents and claw scratches," reports Stacey C. at Exit Glacier Campground.
Weather unpredictability: Rain gear is essential. "Depending on the weather the campgrounds can be crowded or empty. Always plan for rain when camping around here," advises Tanya B.
Limited amenities at forest sites: Trail River campground has minimal facilities. "Limited facilities were clean - access to lake was available from several sites," notes Shawn A.
Playground accessibility: Exit Glacier Road Designated Special Use Area offers family-friendly spaces. "We stayed here one night after visiting Seward and Exit Glacier. Definitely a popular spot in mid May but there is a lot of space to spread out and have your own little area," notes Joseph W.
School playground alternative: Forest Acre Campground offers access to better play equipment. "There is a small playground on site but if you walk about 7 minutes to Seward elementary the playground is fantastic," recommends Samantha M.
Inter-camp trails for kids: Trail River offers child-friendly exploration. "There are beautiful little paths between the camp sites that makes this place feel like a fairytale," describes Kyle F.
Cell service limitations: Plan for communication gaps. "The cell service was almost non-existent. We had one tiny bar for AT&T and nothing for Verizon," reports Kathryn F. about Exit Glacier Road area.
Tighter RV spacing than expected: Larger vehicles face challenges at many sites. "RV sites are close and tight together like a parking lot," explains Shadara W. about Seward Military Resort.
Hookup availability varies widely: Many campgrounds lack full services. "20, 30, 50 Amp hookups and H2O. As others have said, quite tight against your neighbors and generally full during summer months. Bath house is nice and clean which is great considering there's no sewer at the sites," notes Eric W.
Access road conditions: Some roads require careful navigation. "The entrance comes up quick and has huge rocks blocking part of the road. We blew by it the first time and said no way, but then we pulled over and I ran to see who was camping and surprisingly a bunch of bigger campers etc got back there," shares Kristi D.
Weather exposure: RV sites often lack tree cover. "For the price $65/night partial hookup if you want to camp right on the bay. $55/night if you camp one row back. We chose $55 a night as we had plenty of good views but a lot of people chose that front spot," explains Kristi D.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping sites in Kenai Fjords National Park?
Kenai Fjords National Park offers limited camping options. The primary developed campground is Exit Glacier Campground — Kenai Fjords National Park, which has only 12 small sites. Due to this limitation, many visitors stay at nearby alternatives like Seward City Campgrounds, which offers both RV and tent sites along the waterfront. For those seeking more options, numerous campgrounds are available in the surrounding areas, including forest service sites and private facilities. These offer varying amenities from basic tent sites to full RV hookups. Most camping options are seasonal, typically operating from May through September due to Alaska's harsh winters.
Are there cabins available in Kenai Fjords National Park?
While Kenai Fjords National Park itself has limited accommodation options, cabins are available near the park. Seward Military Resort offers cabins and yurts within walking distance of downtown Seward and provides easy access to park attractions. Miller's Landing is another private option with cabin rentals near the park. These accommodations typically require advance reservations, especially during the peak summer season from June through August. Cabins provide a comfortable alternative to tent camping in an area known for variable weather conditions, while still allowing visitors to experience the natural beauty of the Kenai Peninsula and easy access to park activities like Exit Glacier hikes and boat tours.
Is camping allowed near Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords?
Yes, camping is allowed near Exit Glacier. The Exit Glacier Road Designated Special Use Area provides dispersed camping opportunities very close to the glacier access point. This area can accommodate various vehicle sizes from small trailers to larger RVs. For a more developed option, Williwaw Campground is located nearby with amenities like fire pits and water pumps. The Exit Glacier area is one of the most accessible parts of Kenai Fjords National Park, with the glacier itself being a popular hiking destination. Camping in this area gives visitors early morning access to trails before day visitors arrive and provides a convenient base for exploring the Harding Icefield.
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