Kenai Fjords National Park extends across 669,984 acres of the Kenai Peninsula, with much of its terrain covered by the Harding Icefield which feeds over 40 glaciers. Temperatures range from 40°F to 70°F during summer camping season, with the coastal location bringing frequent rainfall and fog. Most glamping facilities near the park operate from May through mid-September, with limited availability during shoulder seasons due to weather conditions.
What to do
Hiking to Fort McGilvray: Walk from North Beach at Caines Head State Rec Area to explore abandoned WWII fortifications with panoramic views. "The trailhead to Caines head/Fort Mcgilvray is at the end of the beach by the abandoned pier and easy to find. Fort Mcgilvray is an old abandoned WW2 fort that is worth the hike uphill to explore. Bring a flashlight," advises one visitor.
Paddling Resurrection Bay: Rent kayaks from nearby outfitters to explore the coastline. "We sea kayaked into this incredible campground about 5 miles from the boat launch point at Lowell Point. Paddle around the headland to the south beach and you'll find sheer rocky cliffs and sea arches -- in good weather this is simply stunning," reports a camper who celebrated their anniversary at North Beach.
Lake activities: Visit Trail River for freshwater recreation options. "The lake is one of the most beautiful views in Alaska in my opinion," notes a camper. Another adds, "Bring your kayak - an early morning paddle is what everyone needs."
Wildlife viewing: Scan for marine mammals from shore at multiple locations. "We saw a whale from our camp, tons of seals, porpoises, and beautiful birds. There were bald eagles, ravens, and Stellar's jays," reports a visitor who spent a week at North Beach.
What campers like
Beach access: Many glamping sites near Kenai Fjords offer direct shoreline proximity. "Making a camp fire on the pebble beach to cook our dinner and watch the sun go down couldn't have been a better way to end the day," shares one North Beach visitor.
Urban conveniences: Seward City Campgrounds provide proximity to town amenities. "Since it's right in Seward, you'll have everything you could possibly need within walking distance," notes a camper. Another mentions, "We stayed at Iditarod, which we liked the best as it offered more expansive views since its around the corner. Plus, its much closer to town and Seward has great bars/restaurants and shops."
Fishing opportunities: Many locations offer direct water access for anglers. "Amazing views everywhere you look. Saw lots of sea life right from tent. Caught fish close to campsite," explains a Seward City camper.
Family facilities: Miller's Landing provides amenities that appeal to families with children. "My two young children could play all day on the beach area eating an ice cream cone from the little shop while watching the seals/sea otters," shares a visitor. The campground also features "free coffee, showers $2/10 minutes, pot luck once a weekend, boat launch, cabin rentals, kayaking/tours and much more."
What you should know
Tide awareness: When hiking to certain camping areas, tide tables must be consulted. "The campground is either accessible via boat or hiking in at LOW TIDE ONLY. It is a lovely hike along the coast with views of eagles, bears, glaciers etc. 5.1 miles one way from Lowell point," warns a North Beach visitor.
Water access options: Some locations require transportation planning. "You have two options for getting here: 1. Hiking in, which we did on the way in. It is very important to check the tides. 2. Water taxi, which we did on the way back. The water taxi that we took was priced at $50 one-way," explains a recent camper.
Limited facilities: Many glamping sites have basic amenities only. "No running water but there's a lovely stream for water filtering nearby. 2 outhouses- Warning, no TP. Bring your own!" notes a North Beach camper.
Reservation requirements: Seward Military Resort requires eligibility verification. "Must be military or DOD to stay here but it is lower and cheaper price than anywhere else in Seward," explains a visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Look for sites near play areas. At Seward Military Resort, "the camp itself has a playground and basketball courts and tennis courts for fun and you're also just a few blocks from the elementary school playground as well."
Site selection strategy: Choose locations that balance privacy with convenience. At Miller's Landing, "there are good sites and there are not such good sites. The location is perfect, the drive down the road was muddy but fine, there was free coffee and although some sites were close together and packed in, others looked perfect!"
Group camping options: Trail River offers spaces for extended families. "This is a huge campground. 91 spots, a group site and a loop just for RVs and can be booked online," notes one visitor. Another adds, "This is probably the biggest campsite I have ever been to. There is an area where you can have multiple cars (i.e. 4 families) with a playground and canopy area."
Weather preparation: Pack for variable conditions. "Rainy weather is common here, but fortunately there are covered areas for cooking/eating," reports a North Beach visitor. A Miller's Landing camper suggests, "Always plan for rain when camping around here."
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Cooper Landing Fishing Guide, LLC offers yurt glamping as an alternative to tight RV spaces. "David offers a cozy yurt for a party of 4. No running water but there is heat!" according to staff.
Hookup information: RV sites vary widely in amenities. At Seward Military Resort, "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. Dump site on site so one can make do."
Road conditions: Access routes may require slow driving. "The road out to this campground is bumpy so take it slow. There are many potholes in the dirt road to this campsite. I almost missed the turn headed here so watch for the Trail River Road sign," warns a Trail River visitor.
Reservation timing: "A bit unorganized at check in because they don't reserve sites until you arrive. If you're in a big rig like I am you could find yourself SOL should the 45' spots all be full," notes a Seward Military Resort camper.
