Kings River dispersed camping offers free sites at the confluence of the Matanuska and King rivers, roughly 25 miles from Sutton, Alaska. The area sits at approximately 800 feet elevation with multiple riverside camping sections suitable for tents and various RV sizes. This pet-friendly destination provides gravel shorelines and riverfront access without formal restrictions.
What to do
River activities: Kings River camping puts you near excellent fishing opportunities. At Eklutna Lake Campground, located about 40 minutes south, campers can enjoy various water activities. "I love when the sites still feel like they are in the forest. Great place," notes Sara K., who appreciates the natural setting.
Wildlife viewing: The surrounding area offers chances to spot native Alaskan wildlife. "This is a great place to see bears! Moose.... Foxes. The waters are clear and the landscape is so lush," reports Carly S. from Eklutna Lake.
Winter recreation: For those camping during winter months, Finger Lake State Recreation Site provides excellent ice fishing opportunities. "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," shares Jonathan V.
What campers like
Mountain views: The landscape around Sutton features dramatic mountain scenery. At King Mountain State Rec Area, campers appreciate the natural setting: "Camping directly on the Matanuska River provides a great view of King Mountain on the opposite bank," notes Matt M.
Clean facilities: When visiting developed campgrounds in the area, campers often mention cleanliness. "Very clean campground right next to Finger Lake. Vault toilets were spotless, campsites were clean, host puts reserved tags up on your camp post," reports Brian J. about Finger Lake.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Many campgrounds near Sutton welcome families with children. "This campground has lots to offer... large green area for soccer, frisbee, ect. Volleyball court, covered picnic areas, great hiking," writes Randy M. about Matanuska River Park Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most developed campgrounds in the region operate from May to September. "We stayed here for the night on our way from Anchorage to Valdez w a whitewater rafting trip just up the road in Glacier View. Perfect choice!" notes Anja R. about King Mountain State Rec Area.
Insect activity: Summer months bring mosquitoes and flies to the region. "There are a ton of flies though in the summer. Especially next to all this water. Mosquitos are aggressive at night," warns Carly S. about camping near water.
Road noise: While Kings River's river sounds mask highway noise, other campgrounds may experience more traffic sounds. "This is a nice little spot but there's two drawbacks; The campground lies just at the end of a small plane airport so there's almost constant noise," explains Scott T. about Matanuska River Park.
Tips for camping with families
Look for recreation areas: Choose campgrounds with activities for children. "Camp ground was spacious and very quite. It was a rainy and windy weekend and we still had fun. Rode our bikes down the lake side trial, people were nice and respectful. Also the dogs and kids love playing on the beach," writes Sara H. about Eklutna Lake Campground.
Consider tent-friendly areas: Many campgrounds offer grassy, level sites ideal for tent camping. "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," recommends Staci J. about Finger Lake.
Check for amenities: Facilities can make family camping more comfortable. "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," shares Courtney H. about Anchorage N KOA Journey.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: When bringing a larger rig, check site specifications. "We were definitely assigned one of their longer pull-throughs, as we could center our rig on the pad for the utilities—well-placed near the middle—while still dropping our patio and parking our truck on either side," notes MickandKarla W. about The Springer RV Park & Campground.
Check hookup locations: Pay attention to utility placement at RV sites. "The hookups are on the opposite side if you back in. It is not an issue if you bring an extra extension cord," advises Daniel W.
Consider bigger rig limitations: Some campgrounds have restrictions for large RVs. "We have a 28-foot camper. There were only about three spots worth a darn that would have fit us. This is more of a tent camping only Campground," warns Shadara W. about King Mountain State Rec Area.
