Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

I can't say enough about my stay at Kelly Lake Cabin of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Cabin. It was late Feb./ early March, and we were tired from our previous two days of camping and hiking, so when we arrived at the lake, we decided to drive the short distance on the lake instead of hiking out to the cabin with all our stuff. We parked on the lake in front of the cabin and were pleasantly surprised to see someone had left an igloo! The cabin was neat, the newest we'd ever stayed in, and had a wonderful view of the trees and lake. Even the outhouse had great views! The woodstove in the cabin was extremely effective at warming the space (we woke up sweating!), and the fact that the cabin came with an outdoor fire ring and boat made us want to come back with friends in the summer even more! Absolutely loved the space and our time there.

Grew up coming to this campground for the last 20 years. Many upgrades and nice trail system around the campground. Great place to camp with your dogs. However the dogs hate the grated boardwalks.

These park does not allow dogs.

Great family weekend campground and is right on the river providing amazing fishing opportunities. This campground is huge! So lots of trails and boardwalks to ride bikes, walk dogs, get out and explore. Check out the City of Soldotna website for all the details and list of all the fees and discounts for trip planning.

Camping spots are large and offer fire pits and picnic tables. Extra vehicles are charged the same fee as the RV. So if you drive down and have an RV to get the spot and have a friend in a car joining you later they charge the car same price as the RV. Wish they’d have a price break for extra vehicles.

This cute little RV park has 34 spaces with full hook ups. There are also showers and group restrooms in the bathhouse. Set in the Alaska wilderness has great views and not a bad choice for RV places.

This is a dry campground, so all us camper/RV folks make sure to charge your phones up before coming out! The campgrounds are in numbered groups, with sites positioned in loops on each side of the road. Far enough apart for privacy, but close enough to know if wildlife is around. We have very spotty service when we’re out here, but we don’t mind because the views are far more note worthy than our phone screens. There are water fill up stations and dump stations at every camping loop, which was very convenient. The sites are very big (room for our 26ft camper, F-250 and trailblazer to fit) with a separate open area beside it with a fire pit, picnic table, and bear proof container to place our dogs food and portable grill. Quiet hours are from 10pm-6am so we were able to run our generator long enough for our boys to watch a movie before bed. Great sites, great price, great place to fish for salmon!

A lot of people spend alot of money just to GET to this part of Alaska to go halibut and salmon fishing, only to be hit with high campground, charter, and access fees. This is a great free campground within reach of Soldotna Ak. The Kenai peninsula as a whole is commonly referred to as "the playground of Alaska. My wife and I and our 3 kids used to come here often to get away from the crowds during the summer tourist season. There is also boat access to a number of first come forest service cabins on the lake. The road in can be very washboard at times because there is a popular boat launch here for fishing sockeye salmon on the Kasilof river, and silver salmon fishing in a creek that flows into the lake. The campsites will accommodate anything from tents to large rv's. There is a pump handle on a well onsite for potable water and pit toilets.

Jake from the Dyrt here!  This awesome spot near Homer has electric & water hookups for a convenient stay while you explore the surrounding nature trails and take in all that Alaska has to offer!  Check them out and please share some pictures of your stay on the Dyrt!

If you looking to find the treasure at the end of the road.. THIS IS IT!!

Just when you thought you have seen all the simple road system of Alaska.. turn right on Kenai Spur Road and go to the end.. literally. There you find a hidden treasure, few find! We found this on one of our " Let's just drive" adventures.

Be sure to bring all the supplies you need as the nearest store is 20 minutes back the way you came.. that includes wood.. unless you scavenge the beach for some.

We arrived in the mist of torrential rain.. common for August in Alaska.. and quickly wished for that extra tarp I didn't want to pack. Each camp spot is small but clean with a fire pit and table. You will be surrounded by trees and foliage which provide privacy and the cook inlet is one full side of your site! A complete plus!

There is a lake near by called Stormy Lake where you can launch a boat, kayak or canoe. You will need bring your own as there are no rentals here. You can fish here or in the river that runs near by, Swanson River. Remember you need a fishing license (16+) as game wardens pop up like leprechauns in Alaska :)

Where there are fish there are bears.. so be bear aware. Carry bear spray, keep food in your car or do the triangle food hang ( not sure you can google that) and keep a clean camp site. You may also see Eagles and moose!

There are fresh water pumps and state bathrooms.. which provide a dry spot in torrential rain.. no judging here..

For those of you who love to RV there are Rv sites and sites for handicap and day sites.

There is plenty of trails to just wander and take in the beauty around you. We took full advantage of being the only people out beach combing in the rain. We read this is a good agate beach.. we didn't find any but the rain make everything bright and shiny so we used this time for wonderful photos.

overall a wonderful end of the road experience, with few people and wonderful nature!!

Online registration, Huge sites, Amazing views, and a well maintained campground this place has it all. And cell AND internet service. Many Alaska campers know that one bar of cell service is a luxury but being able to get your email too. This is glamping.

Tent camper please check any restrictions. This is active bear country so a hard shell vehicle is preferred.

Bring a bug screen or bug dope.

Best spots: Double - 73, 78, 88 Pull though - 66, 69, 71, and 80

Ninilchik is a tiny little blip of a town but in the summer it is home to one of the best music festivals anywhere- Salmonstock!

HOnestly, we didn't spend much time at these campgrounds but were shuttled to and from the Ninilchik Fairgrounds during Salmonstock. What a blast that was. If you happen to be in Alaska during Salmonstock heed my advice and go!!!

The campground was pretty basic, each site was "primitive" and we had a picnic table. Honestly it was perfect for sleeping - quiet and private. Other than that, just make sure you go to Salmonstock! Did I say that already???

Centennial Campground in Soldotna Alaska will be bursting at the seams in June and July. Fishing season will be in full swing and getting a spot may be tricky- as they take no reservations- but WORTH IT! Especially if you like to fish.

Prices vary from on season to off-- referring to fishing

Kenai river runs swift and strong alongside this Campground.. along with a beautiful boardwalk along that. Feels like your walking on water!

There are parts of the boardwalk that lead straight to the water with metal stairs for access and easy fishing. They have fish cleaning stations and HANDICAP FISHING SPOTS!! And discounts for military- love this!

There is day stay rates and overnight. For day stay it's mainly for fishing- there is also a parking area and open place to fish- we call this time of year "combat" fishing-- shoulder to shoulder--

but the beauty of the river and some treed spaces make this a great place to "fish camp"

state bathrooms, no running water.

We have camped both in high fishing season and early September when an occasional silver will run. This is a quieter time and much more relaxing. There will be fewer people in September as well.

If you asked me where my favorite spot in Alaska is, I might just choose the Russian River. Whether you're into the RV life or are looking for a more rugged experience, this campground can satisfy your desires.

A quick 2 hour drive from Anchorage takes you to the campground, a well-paved and serviced series of loops that you'll always feel safe in. We personally preferred the outer edge of the Silver Salmon Loop, though we enjoyed them all. If you're a big fisher, the Red Salmon Loop is your go-to spot for easy access to the river. It isn't hard to find yourself standing with dozens of anglers in the peak season, but if you're not too competitive, theres usually a secluded spot to be found - just watch out for bears trying to swipe your catch of the day!

The grounds have easy access to a number of trails in the Chugach Forest. Try the Russian Lakes Trail if you are interested in a short hike to see salmon jump into the Russian Falls. The Angler's Trail will take you right to the Kenai-Russian River Confluence - one of the most unique sights in the world! And there's both a boat launch and Kenai River ferry nearby if you're willing to go big.

Overall, the Russian River Campground's extra amenities (parking lots, covered bathrooms, provided drinking stations) are a real perk, but you don't have to worry about losing the natural, wild beauty of the Chugach Forest and all of the wildlife that comes with.

Have stairs and have access to river to fish. Showers are coin operated and $1.50 for 7 minutes. Toilets are available. No standard picnic tables expect for deluxe sites. Campsite is right across Soldotna visitor center. Not very scenic but location is great!