Camping cabins near Seward, Alaska offer diverse options from basic wilderness shelters to riverside cottages with scenic views. Located at the edge of Resurrection Bay, Seward sits at sea level with surrounding mountains reaching 3,000-6,000 feet, creating significant temperature variations even in summer. While daytime temperatures typically reach 60-65°F during peak season, nighttime temperatures can drop to the 40s, requiring additional warm layers for cabin stays.
What to do
Explore historic military sites: Access abandoned WWII fortifications at North Beach at Caines Head State Recreation Area. "From the campground, we hiked up to explore the abandoned WWII fort, Fort McGilvray. Super interesting and much bigger than I expected!" The area requires planning as "you have two options for getting here: hiking in, which we did on the way in...or water taxi, which we did on the way back."
Enjoy wildlife viewing: Trail River campground offers excellent viewing opportunities along its lake. "The lake is one of the most beautiful in the world, and virtually all yours," according to one camper. Another visitor noted the "beautiful little paths between the camp sites that makes this place feel like a fairytale."
Visit Exit Glacier: Located near Seward KOA, Exit Glacier provides accessible hiking. "Only a few minutes away from both town and the exit glacier trailhead," explains one camper. Another adds, "Exit glacier is right down the road... Exit glacier is a must. There are street signs showing where the glacier was in past years."
Fishing excursions: Seward Military Resort provides resources for anglers. "Perfect for fishing trips as they have all the cleaning stations and a big freezer to keep your fish during your stay." Late season offers salmon opportunities as "Late August the silver back salmon run. We caught one."
What campers like
Beachfront locations: Coastal cabin sites offer unique ocean access. At Miller's Landing, campers appreciate the direct water access. "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." Another noted, "The view was amazing and checking out the tide pools was so fun!"
Covered facilities during rain: Given Seward's precipitation, sheltered areas are valued. At North Beach, "the vault toilets and covered group cooking/eating areas were in great shape and stayed dry." Trail River provides "a playground and canopy area" that visitors find useful during inclement weather.
Cabin amenities: Rustic cabins offer basic but appreciated features. At Dale Clemens Cabin, visitors note it's "stocked with propane for heat, so you don't have to haul in or scavenge for firewood. The cabin has plenty of sleeping room, plus a beautiful deck with views of glaciers and overlooks Resurrection Bay."
Wildlife viewing: Many campers highlight wildlife sightings from their cabins. One visitor at Kenai Fjords National Park Cabins mentioned "exceptional wildlife and fjord views," while another at Miller's Landing noted watching "the seals/sea otters" directly from their site.
What you should know
Access limitations: Some cabin locations require special transportation. For Kenai Fjords National Park Cabins, "You can only use these by reservation and you can only access them by boat (not kayak). They provide basic furniture, gas heater & fuel, and wag bags. There are NO toilets."
Seasonal closures: Most cabin facilities operate May through mid-September. Trail River is specifically open "May 24 to September 1," while other facilities have similar seasonal windows.
Weather preparedness: Rain and fog are common in summer. At Caines Head, "Rainy weather is common here, but fortunately there are covered areas for cooking/eating." Trail River warns of "insane numbers of mosquitos" during summer months.
Reservation requirements: Many cabins book months in advance. For Kenai Fjords National Park Cabins, "There are a couple of cabins to choose from and each will fill up all summer."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some cabin sites include family-friendly amenities. Seward Military Resort is "great for families" with "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."
Beach activities: Coastal cabins offer natural entertainment. At Miller's Landing, "Lowell point beach is beautiful and always seems somewhat calm, despite the sea report. This is a great place to camp to feel out of town but be close enough to go explore the good food that Seward has to offer."
Group sites availability: Trail River accommodates larger family gatherings. "This is a huge campground. 91 spots, a group site and a loop just for RVs and can be booked online." Another visitor mentioned, "There is an area where you can have multiple cars (i.e. 4 families) with a playground and canopy area."
Cabin selection: Choose cabins based on family needs. At Miller's Landing, "Sites were very cramped... and people were loud," but "its beautiful coastal views and morning coffee made our stay much more enjoyable."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Seek pull-through sites at larger campgrounds. At Trail River, a visitor recommends "site 2, 11, and 14" noting "there are lots of options" and "a number of pull throughs."
Road conditions: Access roads may present challenges. "The road out to this campground is bumpy so take it slow. There are many potholes in the dirt road to this campsite."
Utilities availability: Electric hookups vary by location. Seward KOA provides "20, 30, 50 Amp hookups and H2O" but notes "there's no sewer at the sites. Dump site on site so one can make do."
Space considerations: Some RV areas have limited room. At Seward Military Resort, "RV sites are close and tight together like a parking lot," though it's noted to be "lower and cheaper price than anywhere else in Seward."
