Cabin Camping near Palmer, AK

29 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    Cabins at Fox Run Lodge and RV Campground feature full amenities with electric hookups, accommodating both short and extended stays. The lodge provides clean facilities with showers and restrooms for guests. "Friendly people, cute and quaint place, beautiful views of the lake, safe atmosphere, warm showers," noted one visitor about Fox Run Lodge. Cabin options include waterfront sites with views of Matanuska Lake, making them popular for weekend getaways or longer Alaskan adventures.

    Options range from tiny log cabins to spacious family-sized layouts. Hatcher Pass Lodge offers rustic cabins accessible by drive-in or hike-in routes with toilet facilities and drinking water, though without electric hookups or showers. At Eklutna Lake and Eagle River campgrounds in Chugach State Park, cabins are available from May through September with advance reservations recommended. Most cabins permit pets, though Tiny Trapper Cabin is an exception with its strict no-pet policy. A guest commented that Hatcher Pass Lodge offers "the best hot cakes" and provides "great sledding in the winter and amazing hiking in the summer."

    Most cabins include basic furnishings but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. The Toad Lake Bunkhouse includes electric hookups, showers and toilets but limited kitchen facilities. Cooking arrangements vary significantly between properties - some include firewood for outdoor cooking while others may have indoor facilities. Several campgrounds sell firewood on-site, including Fox Run Lodge which also features an on-site restaurant serving Thai food that one reviewer described as "REALLY good. So good that we'd go back just for the food!" Winter cabin guests should confirm heating options before booking, as seasonal availability and amenities differ substantially between summer and winter operations.

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    Best Cabin Campgrounds near Palmer (29)

      1. Eklutna Lake Campground — Chugach State Park

      4.6(40)13mi from PalmerRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "While there are pit toilets, bear lockers and water spigots, there's not much else besides a plot of land to put your tent, a fire ring and a picnic table. Which for me is plenty!"

      "You want water access on a glacial lake? How about numerous hiking, biking skiing and horse trails?"

      from $5 - $100 / night

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      2. Fox Run Lodge & RV Campground

      4.5(8)5mi from PalmerRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Great park with daily, weekly, monthly rates. There is a mix of full hookups, electric and water, and primitive sites so try and reserve if possible."

      "A bit wide open and highway noise but on lake with laundry, showers, full hookups, firewood for sale, restaurant, matanuska lake access, long term parking too. Some sites have gorgeous lake views."

      3. Anchorage N KOA Journey

      3.9(7)6mi from PalmerRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Pavillion with fire pit, two grills si you dont have to unpack yours, and hammocks to laze away the day. Laundry and showers look like an old west town, too cute!"

      "We booked a one night stay here as a trial run with our brand new travel trailer. Our daughter loved it so much that she begged to stay another night."

      4. Eagle River Campground — Chugach State Park

      4.1(33)25mi from PalmerRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Great spot close to our home of Anchorage for when we don't want to go too far. Large pavillion great for get-togethers right along the river and includes it's own bathroom."

      "Reservation site is: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/lifetimeadventure This is a great spot close to everything you might need and has amazing hiking trails. Bring your bear bells."

      5. Hatcher Pass Lodge

      5.0(1)13mi from PalmerCabins

      "Rustic cabin and the best hot cakes. Great sledding in the winter and amazing hiking in the summer. Great place to beat out the winter blues."

      from $150 / night

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      6. Eklutna Lake Public Use Cabins & Serenity Falls Hut — Chugach State Park

      5.0(1)14mi from Palmer7 sitesTents, Cabins

      "Beauty lake, lovely trail, great spot for a weekend getaway."

      from $100 - $150 / night

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      7. Toad Lake Bunkhouse

      5.0(2)19mi from Palmer1 siteCabins

      "This is a private location, located close to a forest. This cabin is super cute and the perfect place for your next getaway. Book your stay and leave a review here."

      from $100 - $200 / night

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      8. Tiny Trapper Cabin

      Be the first to review5mi from Palmer2 sitesCabins

      from $35 - $98 / night

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      9. South Rolly Lake Campground

      4.9(12)34mi from PalmerRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "6 miles of canoe trails on Nancy Lake to keep you nice and busy all weekend long."

      "Great, well maintained campground for a base camp for exploring the Nancy Lake Rec. Area! We hiked on the nearby Red Shirt Lake Trail and caught a ton of small northern pike on Red Shirt Lake."

      10. Nancy Lake State Recreation Site Campground

      4.4(7)30mi from PalmerRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Being born and raised in Alaska, I am disappointed in myself for only going to Nancy Lake for the first time in 2018. This is such a cool lake and very shapely."

      "great place to bring family and friends for a day/night out in the outdoors. close the lake and trails. spaces are a bit close but some people prefer that!"

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    Cabin Reviews near Palmer, AK

    145 Reviews of 29 Palmer Campgrounds


    • Shadara W.
      Sep. 15, 2019

      Anchorage N KOA Journey

      Wasilla Wonderful

      Wonderful place to stop off and catch your breath. Pavillion with fire pit, two grills si you dont have to unpack yours, and hammocks to laze away the day. Laundry and showers look like an old west town, too cute! Cabins for rent, playground for the kids and propane to restock. Open year round! Pet friendly and Wifi available. Super friendly staff.

    • Tanya B.
      Aug. 3, 2020

      Alaska's Winter Park Cabins

      This is not a campground

      This is a cabin rental out in Willow. If you are looking at taking an Alaska trip or need a getaway with out having to pack all your gear this place in an option.

    • Aimee H.
      Jul. 27, 2017

      Bird Creek Campground — Chugach State Park

      Bird Creek Cabin AK

      Bird Creek camp/ RV/ Cabin site is a beautiful 25 minute journey south of Anchorage. Far enough away but close enough to town if you feel the need to get back to the city.

      We rented a cabin 95$ a night and took aprox 12 young ladies in the chilly month of November! Daring, I know! But state restrooms made sharing a bathroom easy :)

      there is a small wood stove and wood supplied for each cabin which was amazing! A lil kitchen area is built in for your food prep pleasure- must bring stoves and water. No electricity so bring your choice of lighting. Also I recommend headlamps for winter months as bathrooms are a small treck from the secluded wooded cabins.

      Bunks are built in and a loft makes for plenty of room.

      There was a beautiful table with a map in the top- pretty awesome!

      There is a walking trail and it's close to the inlet for beluga whale watching and if your lucky a bore tide!

      Rv sites and tents sites available as well- plus table and fire pits at each site.

    • Shadara W.
      Aug. 12, 2019

      Eagle River Campground — Chugach State Park

      Close to home camping

      Great spot close to our home of Anchorage for when we don't want to go too far. Large pavillion great for get-togethers right along the river and includes it's own bathroom. Semi-seclude sites give privacy with large open areas at your fire pits, great for groups. Some double sites perfect for camping with friends. Pet friendly just please keep the leashed and clean up after them. Watch for bear activity and make sure to keep all food and enticing items locked up.

    • Courtney H.
      Jul. 18, 2022

      Anchorage N KOA Journey

      Great Family Park

      We booked a one night stay here as a trial run with our brand new travel trailer. Our daughter loved it so much that she begged to stay another night. Luck was on our side as there was a last minute cancellation and we were able to extend our stay 1 more night. The park had helpful and friendly staff, clean bathrooms, a nice laundry facility, and even a playground with a communal pavilion for people to gather round together. We would stay here again. There was a bit of road noise from the nearby highway but our family wasn't bothered at all by it as we are used to living on a base with lots of jet noise. Pet friendly and Wi-Fi is available and free! Propane, water fill, and dump station are available at this park.

    • T
      May. 16, 2019

      Eklutna Lake Campground — Chugach State Park

      No nonsense campground next to a beautiful lake and hiking trail.

      While there are pit toilets, bear lockers and water spigots, there's not much else besides a plot of land to put your tent, a fire ring and a picnic table. Which for me is plenty! If you get there at the right time, there are a few sites with a view of the lake thru the trees. Requires a very short hike to get lakeside but the view is worth it. With access to several hiking trails, including the beautiful Eklutna Lakeside trail, bike and kayak rentals across the parking lot, and multiple geocaches, you just can't go wrong.

    • LThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 10, 2025

      Bird Creek Campground — Chugach State Park

      Great spot

      Campsites are pretty spaced. You get a picnic table and a fire ring for 20 bucks a night. Yes, there is road noise but that does calm down at night. Pit toilets around, clean and stocked. No water, so bring some. Cellphone signal (t mobile) and Internet pretty good. Nice bike trail close. They do also have cabins to rent

    • Elizabeth G.
      Mar. 30, 2022

      Bird Creek Campground — Chugach State Park

      First come, first serve

      This campground has 22 sites and 2 public use cabins. There’s bathrooms but no showers. Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table and there are trails within walking distance of your campsite.

      We stayed during the off season so we ended up in the camp host site accidentally since it was one of the few that wasn’t still covered in snow. You definitely get some noise from Highway traffic but it’s not terrible. There’s a gas station right across the street for fuel and maybe some other last minute supplies you may need?

    • David F.
      Aug. 31, 2018

      Eklutna Lake Campground — Chugach State Park

      Epic Campground

      This campground really has everything when it comes to a state campground. You want water access on a glacial lake? How about numerous hiking, biking skiing and horse trails? Are you looking for updated amenities including a table and fire pit, onsite bathrooms, bear proof dumpster, bear proof food storage, and a well for fresh water (no showers though) and even kayak rentals on site? Do you need large campsites with a reasonable amount of privacy instead of setting up your tent on top of someone else's? Eklutna is the spot. It is technically located within the Municipality of Anchorage about 30 minutes from down town. There is no cell service out there, so you can say goodbye to the rest of the world on your way up the mountain road. In addition, there are forest service cabins for rent that are located down one of the major trails, for even more privacy, and a different kind of adventure. Just a mile from the campground is a cute little ice cream shop for a sweet treat on hot summer days.


    Guide to Palmer

    Cabin camping near Palmer, Alaska offers immediate access to Matanuska Valley's terrain at elevations ranging from 233 to over 6,000 feet at nearby peaks. Winter temperatures average 15°F with summer highs around 70°F, creating distinct seasonal camping experiences. Public use cabins throughout the region provide shelter during Alaska's variable weather conditions with many remaining accessible year-round.

    What to do

    Hiking to alpine areas: Hatcher Pass Lodge provides access to numerous trail systems including routes to Independence Mine. "You can't beat a hike to independence mine or any of the other trail heads," notes one visitor who enjoyed both winter and summer activities at this location.

    Lakeside activities: The region's lakes provide recreational opportunities from swimming to fishing. At South Rolly Lake Campground, "There is a canoe trail between some lakes around the area and South Rolly Lake itself is fun to take your canoe or kayak out on," shares a frequent visitor. The campground also offers "canoe and kayak rentals and the dock is great for fishing or swimming!"

    Wildlife viewing: Cabin stays provide opportunities to observe Alaskan wildlife. "This is a great place to see bears! Moose.... Foxes. The waters are clear and the landscape is so lush," reports a camper about Eklutna Lake area, though they warn "Mosquitos are aggressive at night."

    What campers like

    Peaceful surroundings: Many cabins provide quiet environments despite proximity to major routes. "Wonderful place to stop off and catch your breath. Pavillion with fire pit, two grills so you dont have to unpack yours, and hammocks to laze away the day," describes a visitor at Big Bear Campground.

    Lake views: Waterfront cabins remain popular for their scenic settings. One camper at Nancy Lake State Recreation Site described the lake as "very shapely. Lots of coves to explore as well as beautiful lake front homes to day dream about. We spent a whole day enjoying the water, fishing and exploring."

    Accessibility: Many appreciate cabin locations that balance wilderness experience with practical access. "Being born and raised in Alaska, I am disappointed in myself for only going to Nancy Lake for the first time in 2018. This is such a cool lake," shared a local, highlighting how even Alaskans continue discovering new cabin destinations.

    What you should know

    Seasonal planning: Winter and summer cabin experiences differ dramatically. "Great sledding in the winter and amazing hiking in the summer," notes a visitor about Hatcher Pass, emphasizing the importance of timing your visit based on preferred activities.

    Bear safety: Palmer area cabins exist in active wildlife zones. "There are bear proof trash so they are here people," warns a camper at Eagle River Campground, while another advises, "Don't keep your food out of a secured box or by your tent" and recommends "bear spray and/or a gun."

    Bug preparation: Alaska's insect activity varies by season. "The mosquitoes can be quite viscous. I bring a bug net for my head too, this way when they are extremely bad, I can still enjoy being outside," explains a frequent Eagle River visitor. Another camper notes, "Skeeters weren't terrible between the fire, bug spray and bug room we were just fine."

    Tips for camping with families

    Kid-friendly spaces: Some cabin sites specifically accommodate families. "This is a great spot for a 5&4 YO. Not to much in and out traffic and plenty for them to just explore and learn close to camp," shares a parent about Nancy Lake.

    Swimming options: Several cabin locations offer swimming during summer months. One visitor notes South Rolly Lake has "a lovely little central area safe for kids to play in. We stayed up until the rise telling stories around the fire and taking late night swims."

    Educational opportunities: Eklutna Lake Campground offers learning experiences. "This would be a great location to have a bicycle. We will definitely visit, hike and camp!" notes a visitor who appreciated the area's dual recreational and educational value for children.

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection: RV cabins have varying sizes and access. One camper at Fox Run noted, "The spaces are close together. The hookups are on the opposite side if you back in. It is not an issue if you bring an extra extension cord."

    Extended stays: For longer cabin visits, choose locations with appropriate facilities. "Great park with daily, weekly, monthly rates. There is a mix of full hookups, electric and water, and primitive sites so try and reserve if possible," advises an experienced RVer about site options.

    Location convenience: Some cabins offer strategic positioning for exploration. "Because of it's proximity to Anchorage, Wasilla, and Palmer you are not far from anything. There is good cell and internet service here as well and stores to get everything you need," explains a visitor describing the practical advantages of cabin camping near Palmer.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Palmer, AK?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Palmer, AK is Eklutna Lake Campground — Chugach State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 40 reviews.

    What is the best site to find cabin camping near Palmer, AK?

    TheDyrt.com has all 29 cabin camping locations near Palmer, AK, with real photos and reviews from campers.