Best Glamping near Palmer, AK

Recent Glamping Reviews near Palmer, Alaska

137 Reviews of 14 Palmer Campgrounds

• V

  Valerie S.

  Ranger

  

  Jun. 19, 2019

  Matanuska Glacier

  Ranger Review: Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier at Alpenglow Luxury Camping

  **Campground Review **

  This place is AMAZING. I can’t wait to go back!  The wildflowers, glacier view, hot tub, and comfortable bed are just a few of the highlights.

   Alpenglow is located a little over 2 hours from the Anchorage Airport. The directions from the host are very detailed and if you follow directions it is easy to find. The camp is located next to the MICA Guide business and you actually check in at their blue yurt. When we arrived, our host was waiting for us and walked right up to our vehicle to show us the way to our glamping tent. 

  There are currently 4 glamping tents available with deck, screen zipper door, a memory foam mattress (very comfortable), and warm, heavy blankets. The tent and bed are positioned perfectly to see the Matanuska Glacier off in the distance! Don’t forget to bring an eye mask to sleep as this is located in the land of the midnight sun and the tent is white. We forgot out and still slept wonderfully in this tent. 

  A short walk away is a clean outhouse, cedar wood hot tub(open from 7:30-10 pm), shared dinning pavilion, fire pit, and a few games(cards, board games, and bean bag toss). There is a small kitchen the host serves a dry breakfast(muffins, oatmeal, boiled eggs, tea, coffee, yogurt, etc.) and a fridge available for use. You cannot personally cook anywhere on the property as the kitchen is commercial and they are bear aware. Only drinks are allowed in the tent; all food and toiletries need to stay in the car. A walk up the hill will lead you to flush toilets. There is not hot water on site yet, however there is a paid shower available 10 minutes up the road that we used. 

  There are several excursions available from near by companies (glacier walks, ice climbing, rafting, ATV rides) to make this camp a home base for several days of your vacation or just a quick get away from the city. My husband and I came here directly after completing a mini triathlon; this relaxing experience was exactly what we needed. 

  Product Review

  As a Ranger for the Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time– today I am testing Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier.

  https://liquid-iv.com/products/liquid-iv-combo-pack 

  I purchased they multiplier pack and have sampled two flavors: Acai Berry and Passionfruit. I enjoyed the taste of both. As I mentioned above, I competed a mini triathlon on my weekend getaway. I drank one packet of the hydration multiplier the night before the race(1 packet is for 16 ounces of water) and a second before and after the race, in addition to plain water during the race. The mix makes the water a little thick, slightly syrupy but not chalky or gravely and the powder mixes in very well. Although I can’t say how I would have felt during and after without this product, I felt great with no muscle cramping and no thirst cravings. The product seems a little expensive for daily use for me, but probably comparable to similar products on the market.

• B

  Bart R.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 14, 2016

  Eagle River Campground - Chugach State Park

  River Yurt at Eagle River Nature Center

  A great destination for the novice hiker who wants to feel like they're in the middle of nowhere. The yurt was fully stocked with wood and camping chairs. Great location right in the middle of the nature center.

• 

  Jonathan V.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 14, 2016

  Eagle River Campground - Chugach State Park

  Easy hike to yurt

  The hike of 2.7 miles was very easy with amazing views to the yurt at the end with lots of pre-cut firewood for the campers use. Eagle River was just steps away from our site and there was lots of wildlife as well.

• 

  Tanya B.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 21, 2020

  Eagle River Nature Center (public use cabins/yurts)

  Worth the walk in

  Well maintained trails but a walk to the cabin or yurts. Accessible by foot year around. No horses or bikes allowed on trails. Tent camping along the Crow Creek Pass Trail.

  Many choices for length of hikes depending on which loop you choose. This is bear county so bring your bear bells. Loved the hikes so much we decided to rent the cabin for my birthday.

• 

  Melisa A.

  Guide

  

  May. 10, 2017

  Eagle River Campground - Chugach State Park

  Nature without a far drive

  This is one of my favorite campgrounds to visit. Living in Eagle River, this campground allows me to get out of town without going far. Be careful if you aren't used to camping, there are a ton of bears. Don't keep your food out of a secured box or by your tent, or rent one of their yurts. Make sure you take bear spray and/or a gun with you. Also bring bug spray as 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

  the hiking trails are absolutely beautiful!! Watch for Moose. Look up every so often because there are also bald eagles around.

  if you want to venture out for a different hike with amazing views, check out Baldy. You can see Anchorage to the Valley.

• 

  Melissa W.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 29, 2023

  Matanuska Lake State Recreation Area

  Excellent tent spots

  I needed a place to stay between Anchorage and Glen Allen. I was shocked this campground wasn't in Dyrt (found it on google). We actually ended up staying here two separate times- on our way North east and coming back South West. This State Rec Area is extremely clean. It's nice that there are tent sites separated from their RV sites (nothing worse than being in a tent and stuck hearing an RV's generator or TV all night). The RV lot is basically a parking lot but without many other options it would probably do the trick for an RV. The tent sites in the back are great. They are huge and have privacy between them. There's a vault toilet which is kept clean. No services or amenities but it's not far to the town of palmer. Despite being right off the state route, it stays pretty quiet from the road traffic because of all the trees. There's a pay station to pay when you arrive and pick your site. This was perfect in the shoulder season and in-between cities. I apologize I didn't get any campground pictures to post!

• 

  Shari G.

  Legend

  

  Apr. 10, 2023

  Eklutna - Chugach State Park

  Peaceful Retreat Near Anchorage

  This place is a secret wonder, just off the Glenn highway north of Anchorage. The autumn color was spectacular here!  It was raining and cold in early September, but simply gorgeous.

  The first-come, first served sites are on the smaller side and very wooded; with lots of space in between sites, but not a lot of open canopy. This was a bit of challenge for our rooftop solar, but we used portable solar suitcase on an extension cord to capture some sunlight. 

  The bathrooms are simple, but clean, vault toilets.  Water is available at spigots located throughout the campground loop. The lake offers lots of stunning recreation opportunities for flat water paddling and fishing -- careful, the lake can kick up some pretty mean chop during windy afternoons. 

  Hiking on the Twin Peak trailhead is just around the corner, and cycling along the main road could be a great way to get some hill climbing exercise, as it’s a steep road up to the lake from the Glenn.  If you are visiting the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer, this is a great close by campground (about 30 miles away).

  We loved that this campground had the feeling of a remote, wilderness campground but all within an hour’s drive of Anchorage. There is one local tourist ice cream shop just a few miles back down the road, which offers food, showers, and laundry. It is only open during the summer months. Further afield the suburban area around the interchange between the Glenn and Parks Highways has all of the services campers need about 30 minutes to the north of the campground.

• h

  heather T.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 14, 2016

  Eagle River Campground - Chugach State Park

  Chugach State Park

  I have lived in Alaska almost 3 years and still not get over the beauty of this state. Chugach State Park is no different. If you have never been to Alaska and live to hike or camp, you need to plan a trip up here!

• 

  Brad H.

  Traveler

  

  Mar. 28, 2022

  Eagle River Campground - Chugach State Park

  Nice piece of Alaska

  Great spot to stay for a nite or two. Bring your fishing pole as you're close to the river. Enjoy what Alaska has to offer!

• 

  Andrew R.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 22, 2019

  Eagle River Campground - Chugach State Park

  Along the River

  Great campground with paved roads. Lots are spread out well and it is fairly comfortable and quite. Multiple trails travel along the campground and the river. Beautiful Alaskan experience right next to Alaska's largest city.

• 

  Sierra D.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 25, 2021

  Willow Creek Resort

  Mosquito City

  Campground was empty, check in was nice and staff was great. They have free wifi, showers, bathrooms and full hookup. Downsides is there’s no grass it’s just gravel. And the mosquitos were the worst we witnessed in all of Alaska. We couldn’t sit outside and there were 100s in our camper by the time we left. Just a negative of being on the river.

• 

  Sierra S.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 9, 2018

  Montana Creek Campground

  Highways and Sun Rays

  This is a great place to fish and play but it is located right next to the Parks Highway which can be loud and busy with tourists and semis in the summer. If you’re sleeping in a camper the noise might not be so bad but the Alaska Highway doesn’t have a quiet hour.

• 

  Tanya B.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 29, 2020

  Eagle River Campground - Chugach State Park

  Close to EVERYTHING

  8 of the campsites can be reserved but fill up months in advance. If you want to make a reservation make it early or make them into August/September. Reservations end September 20th.

  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.

  If you do stay in Eagle River the Eagle River Nature Center is a must. Hiking trails for all abilities. The only downside is that the highway is right above this campground but the river frowns out most of the noise. 2020 construction includes a new bridge.

  Alaska does not disappoint with its state parks.

• 

  Janice M.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 8, 2024

  Eagle River Campground - Chugach State Park

  But unkempt but nice otherwise

  We stayed here twice in our travels on Alaska. First appearance, the grasses are overgrown at the “entrance” and i was concerned. The fee both looks abandoned. But we actually saw there were some beautiful camp sites. Nice size for rvs if all lengths. Our table needed some help and it is obvious the camp is not being maintained. The bathroom was clean. Some sites you can hear the river and some road noise. The river is beautiful. There is a dumpster but it is on an upper level next to the dump station which is closed. The first time we did not realize this and took our garbage with us. All in all, it is not a bad campground. The trees are beautiful. We also had a moose and calf hanging around. We came back for a second visit. We used it as a jumping off point for Anchorage. Also the Eagle Nature Center and its trails are amazing! Saw a bull moose there. Would use again if not super picky. We are camping folks! For $20 I would not complain.

• 

  Erik J.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 17, 2022

  Finger Lake State Rec Area

  Worth a trip and great fishing

  We didn't have a reservation but there are a number of first come first served sites. I would try to show up closer to noon after people are leaving those sites. All of the non reserved sites were full by about 3p. Several reserved sites remained empty despite having a reservation.

• 

  Michael V.

  Guide

  

  May. 25, 2022

  Finger Lake State Rec Area

  Decent Campground

  Decent campground with boat launch and day use area. Clean bathrooms and group sites available.

• 

  Tanya B.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 20, 2020

  Finger Lake State Rec Area

  Great campground close to home

  If you live in Anchorage or the valley this is a nice campground. The camp host is very attentive but on sunny weekends the campground and day area fills up quickly. Camping spots are close but there are green spaces in between. Bathrooms are well maintained by the park service. Close to stores if you forgot anything.

  Great place to bring kids especially on a first camping trip. Dog friendly. Tent friendly. Can accommodate large RVs. No spot is bad.

  Close to Hatcher’s Pass and Independence Mine.

• K

  Kristina G.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 11, 2018

  Finger Lake State Rec Area

  Water fun

  Great place to stay for the day or weekend if you love the water. Not too many sites but still a great little campground. The campground is at the start of one of the great canoe trails that ends at Wasilla Lake.

• C

  Christy H.

  Traveler

  

  May. 31, 2018

  Finger Lake State Rec Area

  Clean and family friendly

  Nice, clean campsites. Everything is in pretty close-quarters but the campground seems quiet and family friendly. The state did a good job of making the sites level and planted grass in the tent spots. Finger Lake itself is great for different activities and it’s a realitivly quiet area for being so close to town.

  My biggest downside are the prices. $25-$30/night. Pretty steep cost for no hook-ups and to not have a more private party setting. It’s just my opinion, but if you are in a tent site, you really shouldn’t have to pay over $20 (at the very most) to camp. We need to keep camping an affordable hobby for families (and just people in general).

• 

  Shadara W.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 1, 2019

  Finger Lake State Rec Area

  Canoe Heaven

  I never knew this campground existed and boy am I glad we found it. 7 miles of canoe trails, a swimming beach, and nice campsites make this a weekend getaway! Two large group sites, 24 tent sites and 8 rv sites, 1-8 and 15-21are reservable, with sites 9-14 fcfs. $25 a nigh dry campingMinimum booking 2 days in advance. Boat launch, Firewood $8 bucket or $15 for two. Camp host, 7 day limit. #5 and #6 are our RV favorites as they dont look upon anything but woods. Very clean restrooms. You can pay via card too! Huge day use area. Definately a keeper on our list.

• 

  Jonathan V.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 27, 2016

  Finger Lake State Rec Area

  Great Winter Wonderland

  My friend and I went here this past winter to do some ice fishing for the first. It was amazing. The views of the mountains were beautiful and the fish were biting every 5 seconds. It was like they have never eaten before. There are a ton of campsites and ample parking that we plan to take advantage of this summer. Only down side is that there is a lot of private property around the lake so one would need to be aware of docking kayak/boat to go off trail hiking.

• 

  Staci J.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 30, 2016

  Finger Lake State Rec Area

  Well maintained and wonderful camp sites

  We were so pleased when we found this gem of a campground. The tent spots are large, level, and have nice and lush grass. The lake is just a short walk from the campgrounds and has a nice spot to fish from the shore with little ones. we went on a non-holiday weekend and it was nice and peaceful.

• D

  Dallas

  Scout

  

  Jul. 22, 2021

  Finger Lake State Rec Area

  Great spaced out sites

  Quiet place near water, boat ramp, had toilets. Had water to fill your RV or bottles but no water or electric at campsites

• 

  Courtney H.

  Guide

  

  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.

• C

  Chris W.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 28, 2021

  Anchorage N KOA Journey

  Rude crack head year round homeless camp

  Worst ever. I said it all in title. Lady is rude and terrible.

• 

  Murray G.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 2, 2021

  Anchorage N KOA Journey

  Nice campground off the highway

  All the amenities you would need including laundry. Don’t plan on playing fetch with your dog. They will enforce the leash rule within seconds. Lots of signs posted everywhere of all the things you can’t do. Feels like you are being scolded all the time. But it is clean and well maintained

• 

  Sierra D.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 25, 2021

  Anchorage N KOA Journey

  Best RV Park

  Favorite place we stayed at out of all locations on our trip. Cleanliest, coziest, well-taken care of place. Bathrooms and showers were 10/10. Spots had space, grass, fire pits, full hook up and dump hook up. Staff was so accommodating! Firewood and other amenities available. Only downside is mosquitos weren’t the best so a lot of people stayed in their campers and the highway noise is noticeable but not terrible. Somewhat busier campground, seemed like a lot of long term campers. Really recommend!