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Best Campgrounds near Tenakee Springs, AK

46 Reviews

Campgrounds near Tenakee Springs, Alaska are primarily rustic forest cabins managed by the U.S. Forest Service, scattered throughout the coastal areas of Tongass National Forest. Facilities like Kennel Creek Cabin, Moser Island Cabin, and Kook Lake Cabin provide secluded accommodations accessible mainly by boat or float plane. The region features limited tent camping options, with most designated sites concentrated near Sitka and Juneau rather than in immediate proximity to Tenakee Springs itself. Mendenhall Lake Campground in Juneau offers both tent and RV sites with views of the glacier, while Auk Village provides more basic facilities in a wooded setting.

Road access is extremely limited throughout the area, with many sites requiring water transportation to reach. "This is a very secluded cabin, accessible by boat or float plane and only a few miles from Sitka, AK," notes one visitor about Allan Point Cabin. Weather conditions can be challenging with frequent precipitation and cool temperatures even in summer months. Most Forest Service cabins require advance reservations through recreation.gov, with booking windows opening months ahead of the peak summer season. Cell service is spotty to nonexistent at most remote cabin sites, making advance trip planning essential. Winter access becomes even more challenging as daylight hours decrease dramatically and storms are more frequent.

Campers consistently highlight wildlife viewing opportunities as a primary attraction when staying near Tenakee Springs. A visitor to Auk Village Campground mentioned, "Great place to go whale watching. Seriously! I went for two hours and saw 30 ish breaches." Bear safety is a critical consideration throughout the region, with multiple reviewers noting signs of bear activity near cabins and campgrounds. Many cabins include wood stoves for heat, fire pits, and basic amenities, but visitors must bring all necessary supplies. The more accessible campgrounds near Juneau provide greater amenities including drinking water and vault toilets, while the remote cabins offer exceptional solitude and immersion in the temperate rainforest ecosystem. Water access for fishing, crabbing, and wildlife viewing represents the primary recreational draw throughout the area.

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Best Camping Sites Near Tenakee Springs, Alaska (52)

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Recent Camping Photos near Tenakee Springs, AK

6 Photos of 52 Tenakee Springs Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Tenakee Springs, AK

46 Reviews of 52 Tenakee Springs Campgrounds

  • Vicky S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Hollywood Farms RV Park Gustavus AK

    RV park close to Glacier Bay National Park

    Many people choose to leave their RVs in Juneau and walk on the ferry to Gustavus and stay at the lodge in the National Park. The lodge has a shuttle for guests arriving by plane or ferry so this is easy to do. But if you want to bring your RV on the ferry to Gustavus when you visit Glacier Bay National Park, this is a good place to stay. It’s quiet and clean. The manager, Trish, is very nice. We had a chance to explore a bit. It’s a small town. Residents know each other. The Fireweed Gallery, Tea and Coffee House was lovely. We went there twice and met the mayor. Visiting the town added to our experience.

  • Angie G.
    May. 27, 2024

    Mendenhall Lake Campground

    Glacier View in the Tongass

    After being unable to find good reviews of campsites here, I took what I could find and gambled on a site. We were in tent site 021. It was a gorgeous site, had a large picnic table, bear box, water spigot between us and the site next to us, fire pit, clean pit toilets and a clean bath house. This campground has backpacker sites, RV sites, and car sites as well. We had a short walk through the moss on a trail that led down to Mendenhall Lake. It had a gorgeous view of the glacier. We enjoyed listening to all the birds and it was a pretty quiet campground.

    There are a few sites close to boggy areas and they can be mushy and muddy, especially after a rain. There is a map on the reservation website where you can kind of see it. Our site was fabulous.

    The trails are not far from the campground, so they are walkable.

  • Angie G.
    May. 26, 2024

    Auk Village

    Wilderness Bliss

    This campground has 11 sites and we were lucky to get #5, right across from the pit toilets so we didn’t have to walk far. We had a great site, bear box, campfire pit, and a fabulous view when you walk to the edge right behind your site! We didn’t put any hammocks in the trees or do any cooking on site, as it is black bear country and you don’t want any uninvited guests. We went to the picnic shelter at Lena Cove for our morning breakfast and hung our hammocks in the shelter for the morning. We had great views of Auke Bay and Lena Cove.

    I could not find any reviews to pick a site but I reserved this one and it was gold! We had a water spigot close to us in the campground, but there are no electric or water supplies at the sites. You need to bring your own firewood because some sites say it was supplied, however, due to low crew numbers they can’t keep up with demand.

  • Melissa W.
    Oct. 29, 2023

    Mendenhall Lake Campground

    Great location, nice sites

    Tent camping review. This was a great camp ground. Very clean and quiet. You can't beat the proximity to the park and hiking. Some of the sites even have great views. Each site has plenty of privacy, so even with intermixed RV's it stays pretty quiet. The showers were okay, not the cleanest and not the hottest but got the job done. My only complaint was coming after dark the first night to someone clearly squatting with their RV in our site. The camp hosts do not mark each site with the booked reservations (even though the posts clearly say that the section we were in were "reservation only". So people just drop in and take sites, assuming they aren't reserved. We attempted to solicit the camphosts help but in the 4 nights we stayed there, we never saw the hosts available once. We asked the people to move the next morning in daylight- not wanting to start anything or end up shot by knocking on their door and asking them to move that first night. However, that meant that we set up in someone else's potentially reserved site and started a huge domino effect. So I recommend getting there early to make sure your reserved spot isn't taken.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2022

    Mendenhall Lake Campground

    Big Surprise!

    We’ve been full-time camping in our vintage camper for over10 years, and in that time we’ve taken some “camping trips” without our rig, Hamlet. This time we hopped on the ferry from Haines down to Juneau and pulled out the tent for a few days in this amazing campground. We were just looking for the least expensive place that was close to the ferry terminal in Auke Bay, but struck gold in the hills just above. This might be one of the best traditional campgrounds we've ever stayed in with some of the most stunning views in our "backyard."

    The campground is laid out along the southern bank of Mendenhall Lake, and offers drinking water, flush, and vault toilets and hot showers -- at no extra charge. Did I mention that camping here will only set you back $10 per night? We cannot remember such an inexpensive camping experience that offered showers. These $10 sites don’t offer electrical hookups, so bring your solar panels and solar generator or power bank and you’ll be all set. 

    The western trailhead is a short walk from the campground, but the Mendenhall Visitor's Center on the east side of the lake is just a few miles away. There are many trails, photographic viewpoints and opportunities to paddle on this side of the lake, but parking is competitive because it is such a popular area- including with the busses from the cruise ships docked in town. So, get there early. We enjoyed paddling on the lake where we got great views of the glacier and Nugget Falls, but keep your distance from icebergs. We watched one crack and roll not too far from where we were paddling, had we been closer I might not be writing this review. 

    The Mendenhall Valley has all the amenities you could expect from the Juneau suburbs, grocery stores, malls and restaurants. Downtown has a few more options as well as Douglas Island, just across the bridge.

  • Bradee A.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 20, 2022

    Peterson lake campground

    Beautiful views

    4 spots with picnic tables and fire pits. Clean bathrooms and big trash cans that got emptied while we were there for 4 nights. Low GCI service. Water spout that didn’t work for us. Beautiful central location for the Kenai peninsula. Highly recommend.

  • Nikki S.
    Aug. 7, 2021

    Auk Village

    Love Alaska

    This is a favorite spot where our family has camped for years. Most recently we took 2 of the grandkids. No cabins, but beautiful beach to walk. Quiet paradise. Fire pits and we’ll maintained pit restrooms.

  • J
    Jul. 8, 2021

    Mendenhall Lake Campground

    Fantastic

    Stayed here two nights - reservations must be made in advance on recreation.gov. Hot showers available, as well as a stocked bathroom. 12/10 recommend.

  • Aubrey G.
    Jun. 19, 2021

    Mendenhall Lake Campground

    In the woods camping, in the "city"

    So lucky to have found this campground. The price cannot be beat starting at $10. Although you are aware of others around you, there is enough forest between most campsites so you get the real roughing it kind of feel without actually hiking out. We got a great site, walk down to the water's edge and see the glacier smack right in your face. Amazing! There is a river further in, so choose your site wisely if camping with kids, pets or partiers! We didn't see a bear, but we did see the beaver! They have a bear cache at every site, so amazing for the price. Highly recommended. It's a 1 way loop so don't make the same mistake I did and go the wrong way! The hosts are very nice and chatty. The troopers do drive through from time to time but never bothered us.

Guide to Tenakee Springs

Camping near Tenakee Springs, Alaska, offers a unique experience surrounded by stunning natural beauty and a variety of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds in the area that cater to different preferences.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Mendenhall Lake Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "The trails are not far from the campground, so they are walkable," making it easy to enjoy the scenery.
  • Paddling: Kayaking on Mendenhall Lake is a must. A visitor shared, "We enjoyed paddling on the lake where we got great views of the glacier and Nugget Falls."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. One camper at Auk Village noted, "Not unusual to find deer walking through the campsite."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the breathtaking views. A review for Mendenhall Lake Campground stated, "It had a gorgeous view of the glacier."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many appreciate the peaceful environment. One camper remarked, "It was a pretty quiet campground," highlighting the tranquility of the area.
  • Affordable Rates: Budget-friendly camping is a big plus. A visitor mentioned, "Camping here will only set you back $10 per night," making it accessible for everyone.

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Auk Village, lack certain amenities. A reviewer pointed out, "You need to bring your own firewood because some sites say it was supplied, however, due to low crew numbers they can’t keep up with demand."
  • Reservation Issues: Be aware of potential reservation mix-ups. One camper at Mendenhall Lake Campground shared, "The camp hosts do not mark each site with the booked reservations," which can lead to confusion.
  • Bear Safety: Since this is bear country, it's essential to follow safety protocols. A camper at Bartlett Cove Campground noted, "You need to attend an 'orientation' by the rangers to learn how to safely camp in this park."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the Right Site: Look for sites that are close to amenities. A family camper at Auk Village mentioned, "We had a great site, bear box, campfire pit, and a fabulous view."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of family-friendly activities. One reviewer suggested, "We went to the picnic shelter at Lena Cove for our morning breakfast," which can be a fun outing for families.
  • Privacy Matters: Select sites that offer privacy. A camper at Mendenhall Lake Campground noted, "Each site has plenty of privacy, so even with intermixed RV's it stays pretty quiet."

Tips from RVers:

  • Arrive Early: To secure your spot, especially during peak season. One RV camper advised, "I recommend getting there early to make sure your reserved spot isn't taken."
  • Check Hookups: Ensure your site has the necessary hookups. A visitor at Mendenhall Lake Campground mentioned, "These $10 sites don’t offer electrical hookups, so bring your solar panels."
  • Explore Nearby Amenities: Take advantage of local amenities. A camper at Bartlett Cove Campground shared, "The proximity to the national park could not be beat," making it easy to enjoy both camping and local attractions.

Camping near Tenakee Springs, Alaska, is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the comforts of well-equipped campgrounds. Whether you're hiking, paddling, or simply soaking in the views, there's something for everyone in this beautiful region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Tenakee Springs, AK?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Tenakee Springs, AK is Kennel Creek Cabin (AK) with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

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