Valdez camping areas extend beyond the city limits into surrounding wilderness and mountain regions, with most accommodations operating from May through September when temperatures range from 40°F to 70°F. Located 120 miles east of Anchorage, the region features camping opportunities throughout Thompson Pass and along the Lowe River. Winter closure affects most facilities except Tonsina River Lodge, which maintains limited operation during off-season months.
What to do
Hike to waterfalls: Visit the waterfall located directly within Valdez Glacier Campground. "Waterfall on the campground across from the trash dump. Prices are the same as state camping so you might as well get a shower and flush toilet out of it," notes Tanya B. Another visitor recommends "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."
Explore alpine trails: Blueberry Lake State Recreation Site in Thompson Pass offers moderate hiking options. "There is a great loop trail less than 3 miles if you are just passing through," mentions SJ D. The site includes "some great walking trails around the lakes," and Hannah C. advises, "This is a great place to stop and stretch your legs and take in the views on a clear day."
Wildlife viewing: Observe local wildlife including bears, eagles, and sea lions. "Great place to stay and fish! Waterfalls, bears, sea lions, kayaking, Visitors Center and Hatchery Tour," shares DanandBirdie P. Several campgrounds report regular wildlife sightings, with one visitor noting "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."
What campers like
Mountain views: Campers consistently mention the dramatic mountain scenery. "You look up and there are majestic mountains, still with patches of snow and beautiful waterfalls from way high up, 360° surrounding you," describes judy J. at Bear Paw RV Park. Another camper notes that Blueberry Lake "is situated beautifully up in Thompson Pass" and provides alpine scenery throughout the camping season.
Tent camping options: The adult tent camping area at Bear Paw RV Park II offers privacy not found at other rv parks in Valdez, Alaska. "The tent sites aren't huge but there's plenty of privacy between them," reports Melissa W. Another camper shares, "Lots of shaded spots by the road, but if you're willing to walk in, the spots on the hill are fantastic! I had the entire hill to myself and took the spot at the very top which had great views of town and the sea."
Fishing access: Multiple campgrounds provide direct fishing opportunities. At Allison Point, "the campground sits right above the water so it was nothing to walk down and fish for salmon," according to Maria M. The location is "just 30-40 feet from the ocean," making it ideal for anglers despite limited amenities.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Higher elevation sites experience colder temperatures. At Blueberry Lake, campers should "bring an extra blanket since it gets chilly at the higher elevation." SJ D. warns, "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."
Insects can be problematic: Mosquitoes are mentioned in multiple reviews, particularly at wooded campgrounds. "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. Another camper states that at Blueberry Lake, "the mosquitos were relentless but what a view."
Limited or no cell service: Some campgrounds have connectivity restrictions. At Blueberry Lake, "There is no cellphone service at all, so make sure you download what you need," advises Lisa F. Tonsina River Lodge offers an alternative for those needing connections, with "RV hookups, laundry, bar and restaurant" available even during limited winter operations.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds available: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. Korin G. notes about Valdez KOA, "Not a lot of noise at the site even when the kids were playing on the playground. Also an area for dogs to run around is nice." The KOA includes separate recreational spaces for children and pets.
Blueberry picking: Seasonal berry harvesting provides family activities at specific locations. Shadara W. mentions, "Blueberries abound for picking when in season" at Blueberry Lake State Recreation Site. The entire recreation area features excellent berry opportunities during late summer months.
Bathrooms and facilities: Family-friendly facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. The tent sites at Bear Paw RV Park II feature "access to laundry, good drinking water, dish washing, bathrooms, HOT showers(!), fire rings, picnic tables, and some spots even have platforms for tents," according to anna C. Several reviews mention clean bathrooms as a priority for family camping.
Tips from RVers
Site positioning matters: At Eagle's Rest RV Park, the reservation process accommodates RV configuration. "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," explains Tanya B.
Utilities placement: Pull-through sites provide better accessibility at some locations. At Bear Paw RV Park, "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," reports MickandKarla W.
Connectivity options: Connectivity varies between rv parks in Valdez, Alaska. MickandKarla W. shares that Bear Paw offers "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, though placing it on the ground wasn't practical with other rigs and vehicles moving about."
