Camping near Valdez, Alaska ranges from 25-61 dollars per night at established campgrounds, with options for free dispersed camping at places like Mineral Creek. The region's camping season generally runs May through September, with most sites situated between sea level and the Thompson Pass at 2,678 feet elevation. Thompson Pass receives over 500 inches of snow annually, affecting early and late season camping accessibility.
What to do
Explore waterfalls and mountain trails: Valdez Glacier Campground features a waterfall right within the campground boundaries. "Quiet place to stay minus the planes taking off randomly. Loved not having service. And loved the waterfall in the campground," reports Wes F. The campground offers easy access to Valdez Glacier and Lake.
Fish for salmon: Allison Point Campground provides direct water access for salmon fishing. "The appealing part is that the campground sits right above the water so it was nothing to walk down and fish for salmon," notes Maria M. The campground sits just 30-40 feet from the ocean.
Mountain biking: Blueberry Lake State Recreation Site offers excellent trails. "This campground is in the Thompson Pass and the scenery is unbelievable," writes Vicky S. A loop trail under 3 miles provides a perfect starting point for visitors passing through or staying at the campground.
What campers like
Natural privacy: Bear Paw RV Park II offers secluded tent camping despite its in-town location. "The tent sites are centrally located, but the location feels super private. The tent sites have access to laundry, good drinking water, dish washing, bathrooms, HOT showers(!), fire rings, picnic tables, and some spots even have platforms for tents," writes anna C.
Mountain views: Camping at Thompson Pass provides exceptional scenery. "Situated beautifully up in Thompson Pass is Blueberry Lake and on that lake is Blueberry Lake State Rec Site. With 14 campsites it's small but surrounded in beauty," reports Shadara W. The entire campground is paved, making it accessible for various vehicle types.
Wildlife viewing: Eagle's Rest RV Park offers wildlife spotting opportunities. "All the RV campgrounds in town are within walking distance to the docks," notes Shadara W. Campers frequently report seeing eagles, and black bears occasionally visit the campground areas.
What you should know
Bear safety: Bear sightings are common throughout the Valdez area. "The campground owner did warn us of a black bear that had been wandering around the campground. There was scat and we did hear him one night but didn't have any problems sharing the space with him," reports Melissa W. about Bear Paw RV Park II.
Mosquitoes: Bug populations vary by location and season. "With sun all day and night it is very hard to keep the wilderness from taking back spaces. The spots were big but the mosquitoes were terrible. Camping here early on the season would have been better," notes Tanya B. about Valdez Glacier Campground.
Site availability: Valdez KOA provides various accommodation options but requires planning ahead. "With cabins, tent sites, Rv sites this KOA has it all. There is a playground for the human kiddos and even another for the fur babies in your life," writes Shadara W. The campground sits about 8 miles outside of town.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with amenities: Eagle's Rest RV Park provides family-friendly features. "This campground was exactly what we were looking for. It is conveniently located in town within walking distance of the grocery stores, restaurants, and harbor," writes Hannah C. The campground also offers a fish cleaning station for families who enjoy fishing.
Consider elevation for temperature: Temperature varies significantly between sea-level campgrounds and those at higher elevations. "Bring an extra blanket since it gets chilly at the higher elevation," advises Tanya B. about camping at Blueberry Lake State Recreation Site.
Plan for no-service areas: Some campgrounds offer a digital detox opportunity. "Remember there are two seasons in Alaska. Winter and construction. Plan for extra travel time. Amazing views. Better than the parking lot RV parks in town. Well maintained and centrally located. If you are looking for hook ups this is the place to go. Camp in the wilderness but still get your emails," notes Tanya B. about the Valdez KOA.
Tips from RVers
Parking strategies: Creekside Parking offers free camping options for self-contained units. "Small lot that could handle a big rig or two smaller rigs. No trash or picnic tables. Good cell signal. Open enough for Starlink and solar. Creek next to lot provides white noise for sleeping," reports James B.
Utility placement: At Bear Paw Camper Park, RVers should note the site layout. "The utilities were well placed in the center of the long pad, allowing us to drop the patio on our 40' toy hauler and still park our F450. Water pressure was steady at about 50 PSI, and each site had a small picnic table," explains MickandKarla W.
Connectivity options: Staying connected varies by campground location. "Connectivity was mixed: 4 bars on Verizon extended network, 3 bars on T-Mobile (sometimes workable), and above-average campground WiFi. With no trees on-site, Starlink had a clear shot from the roof," writes MickandKarla W. about their stay at Bear Paw Camper Park.
