Glamping close to Kenny Lake, Alaska offers rustic accommodations in a remote Alaskan wilderness setting. Located in the Copper River Valley at approximately 1,400 feet elevation, this area experiences relatively mild summer temperatures between 60-75°F during peak season. Winter access becomes difficult with temperatures dropping well below freezing and significant snowfall accumulation.
What to do
Hiking to mud volcanoes: From Tolsona Wilderness Campground, visitors can access a 2-2.5 mile round trip trail to the Tolsona Mud Volcanoes. "The trail is usually pretty swampy, so be sure to wear tall boots and dress appropriately for the weather," advises Erika D., who recommends proper footwear for the often wet conditions.
Fishing for salmon: Klutina Salmon Charters & Campground provides direct river access for anglers. "Caught lots of reds and exchanged some great receipts with others," reports Jessica J., noting the helpful atmosphere where experienced fishers assist newcomers with techniques.
Water play opportunities: Liberty Falls offers natural water features for cooling off during summer months. "There is a great place to splash in the water at the base of this waterfall," shares Tanya B., describing one of the recreational options at this small but scenic site.
What campers like
Natural soundscapes: Many visitors appreciate the ambient sounds of water features at Liberty Falls. "Best drinking water anywhere. Has hand pump well. Clean out houses. Great camping by the creek. Thundering waterfalls," notes Aaron U., highlighting the sensory experience of staying near rushing water.
Privacy between sites: Tolsona Wilderness Campground offers well-spaced accommodations. "Sites are large, spread out and private. Each has a fire ring and a picnic table. All are creekside," explains Erika D., describing the layout that provides more seclusion than typical Alaskan RV parks.
Community atmosphere: Some properties foster social connections among visitors. At Klutina Salmon Charters & Campground, Jessica J. observed "Very respectful of each other, helping newer fishers with techniques and how to tips. We had many great encounters with people on this adventure."
What you should know
Limited availability: Many sites operate on first-come, first-served basis with very few spots. "Cannot reserve. Get there early in the week and stay the weekend. This campground only has 10 spots but is worth it," advises Tanya B. about Liberty Falls, emphasizing the importance of timing your arrival.
Seasonal operations: Most glamping operations near Kenny Lake have limited seasons. Tolsona Wilderness Campground specifically operates from May 20 to September 10, while Klutina runs from late May through August.
Variable site conditions: Campground quality can fluctuate between seasons and years. Recent reviews of Tolsona noted maintenance issues: "Bathrooms haven't seen a cleaning this season, if they even got one last year. Nothing is labeled, hard to find sites," reported Laureen V. in a 2025 review.
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Tolsona Wilderness Campground offers organized recreation for younger visitors. "The owners maintain a camp store with basic necessities and also plan weekend activities and games for kids," notes Erika D., describing the family-friendly programming available.
Creek recreation: Water activities provide entertainment for children. "Inner tubes can be written in the creek along with fishing and waiting," mentions Shadara W. about Tolsona's creek access, though recent visitors noted water temperatures might be too cold for comfortable tubing.
Common areas: Some campgrounds feature shared spaces for group activities. Katie B. appreciates that Tolsona has "activities available on request (we got 2 frisbees to play in the open common area)," making it suitable for families wanting recreational options.
Tips from RVers
Limited big rig access: Most glamping sites near Kenny Lake have restrictions on large vehicles. Liberty Falls accommodates only smaller RVs, with Shadara W. noting "very limited camping spots, about 5 in all with a couple walk in tent sites... Mostly tent sites only one or two sites big enough for an RV."
Hook-up availability: Tolsona Wilderness Campground provides more extensive RV services including "electrical hook ups for RVs... a small shop, laundry, showers, flush toilets, dump stations," according to Kathy M., making it suitable for those requiring more amenities than typical wilderness camping.
