Valdez sits at sea level surrounded by the Chugach Mountains with peaks reaching over 7,000 feet. The area receives approximately 300 inches of snow annually but maintains relatively mild summer temperatures around 60°F. Campers can access both developed campgrounds with amenities and remote dispersed sites where wildlife encounters are common.
What to do
Wildlife viewing at Solomon Gulch Hatchery: Located a short drive from Allison Point Campground, visitors can watch black bears feeding. "We heard strange noises during the day and it turns out the highway wraps around this campsite. It was so well designed you would never even know it except the strange sounds bouncing off the mountains," notes camper Tanya B.
Kayaking on Blueberry Lake: The alpine waters at Blueberry Lake State Recreation Site offer perfect paddling opportunities. "Great place to take a raft or kayak. You could not beat the views. Bring an extra blanket since it gets chilly at the higher elevation," advises a visitor.
Hiking the waterfall trail: Near the visitor center, a quick hike rewards with waterfall views. "Make sure to stop at the visitor center on the way in right before the campground. There is a quick hike to a waterfall just behind it," recommends a Valdez RV Park camper.
Fishing for salmon: The shoreline near town offers excellent fishing opportunities. "The campground sits right above the water so it was nothing to walk down and fish for salmon," explains Maria M. about her experience at Allison Point.
What campers like
Glacier viewing: Valdez Glacier offers stunning views of active ice fields. "Glaciers and mountain view everywhere," shares Brad B. in his five-star review. Another camper adds, "Visited on one of my last days in Valdez. Beautiful glacier. The campground is pretty standard and pleasant. Would highly recommend checking it out if you're in the area."
Private tent sites: 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," describes anna C.
Waterfall views at dispersed sites: Free camping along Mineral Creek provides natural sound effects. "What a gorgeous place to spend the night. The sound of the waterfall lulls you to sleep," shares Paula S. who camped with a 17-foot camper beside the river.
Loop trail for stretching legs: Blueberry Lake offers hiking for those passing through. "Perfect spot to stretch stiff legs up in Thomson's pass. There is a great loop trail less than 3 miles if you are just passing through," suggests SJ D.
What you should know
Winter and construction seasons: Plan for extra travel time during construction season. "Remember there are two seasons in Alaska. Winter and construction. Plan for extra travel time," advises a reviewer at Valdez KOA.
Cell service availability: Coverage varies by location. "There is cell phone service here as well as internet," notes a camper at Allison Point, while another points out that at Blueberry Lake there's "no services including cell phone service."
Black bear presence: Bears frequent many campgrounds. At Eagle's Rest RV Park, a camper mentioned, "They keep the bears out and provide free coffee," indicating active wildlife management.
Weather conditions: Thompson Pass can experience sudden fog. "This area tends to get 'socked' in so be prepared to be one with the clouds. If driving drive slow lots of twists, don't use your brights it will be harder to see," warns a Blueberry Lake visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Families appreciate dedicated play areas at Valdez KOA. "There is a playground for the human kiddos and even another for the fur babies in your life," notes Shadara W., making it ideal for pet-friendly camping near Valdez.
Educational stops: Incorporate the visitor center into your itinerary. "Make sure to enjoy the waterfalls on the way in," suggests a camper staying at Eagle's Rest RV Park, which is within walking distance to town.
Bug preparation: Summer camping requires insect protection. "The mosquitos were relentless but what a view," shares Lisa F. about Blueberry Lake, while another notes that parking lot-style RV parks have fewer bugs than wooded sites.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children can spot local wildlife including domesticated rabbits. "The domestic rabbits that roam all over Valdez were an unexpected and fun addition to our stay," mentions a visitor to Bear Paw RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Downtown convenience: Bear Paw RV Park provides central access. "With full hookups across from the small boat harbor. Not a bad place just a bit too squished for our liking. Not trees and privacy but better than the other two parking lit style RV parks in downtown Valdez. Close to fishing and the boardwalk too," explains a reviewer.
Site selection strategy: At Eagle's Rest, staff help position RVs optimally. "The spot was reserved in advance and the reservation requests the side the RVs slides are on. You are greeted by a golf cart on arrival they show you to your spot and directed you in so that they would have no issues using their slides," shares Tanya B.
Utility considerations: Water pressure varies between campgrounds. "Water pressure was steady at about 50 PSI, and each site had a small picnic table," reports an RVer at Bear Paw RV Park.
Internet connectivity options: Bear Paw offers multiple connection methods. "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," details an experienced RVer, providing valuable information for those seeking pet-friendly camping with connectivity near Valdez.
