101 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Wasilla, Alaska provides several developed campgrounds and recreational sites where visitors can enjoy lakefront settings and mountain views. Finger Lake State Recreation Site Campground features spaces for tents, RVs, and glamping opportunities, with campsites that accommodate various setups. Lake Lucile Campground offers electric hookups and access to swimming and fishing, while the Anchorage N KOA Journey (formerly Big Bear Campground) in nearby Palmer provides more amenities including cabin rentals. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from May through September, though some like the KOA remain open year-round.
The camping season in the Wasilla area typically runs from May to September when temperatures and conditions are most favorable. During this time, many campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. Reservations are recommended at popular sites like Finger Lake, which offers both reservable sites and first-come, first-served options. The region experiences variable weather conditions, with summer temperatures generally pleasant but occasional rain. Winter camping is possible at year-round facilities but requires proper cold-weather preparation. As one camper noted, "If you live in Anchorage or the valley this is a nice campground. The camp host is very attentive but on sunny weekends the campground and day area fills up quickly."
Lakefront access represents a significant draw for campers visiting the Wasilla region. Finger Lake State Recreation Site features a boat launch and swimming areas, while Lake Lucile offers trails, a dog park, and pavilions for group gatherings. Several visitors highlighted the water recreation opportunities as standout features. "Seven miles of canoe trails, a swimming beach, and nice campsites make this a weekend getaway," reported one visitor about Finger Lake. Campground amenities vary significantly across the area, with some offering basic facilities like vault toilets and fire rings, while others provide full hookups, showers, and laundry facilities. Pricing reflects this range, with dry camping starting around $10-25 per night and sites with electric hookups typically costing $20-30 per night. Most campgrounds maintain clean facilities with attentive camp hosts managing the properties during the operating season.
"A short drive from Anchorage, Eagle River and even Wasilla brings you to a pristine piece of nature."
"Trails to hike or play on the lake! This campground is situated with access to Eklunta Lake and boy is that perfect. Tons of campsites to choose from both double, single and handicapped."
from $5 - $100 / night
Check Availability"The campground is at the start of one of the great canoe trails that ends at Wasilla Lake."
"Only down side is that there is a lot of private property around the lake so one would need to be aware of docking kayak/boat to go off trail hiking."
from $25 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Multiple trails travel along the campground and the river. Beautiful Alaskan experience right next to Alaska's largest city."
"Bring your fishing pole as you're close to the river. Enjoy what Alaska has to offer!"
"Friendly people, cute and quaint place, beautiful views of the lake, safe atmosphere, warm showers, right next to a state park. Definitely recommend!"
"A bit wide open and highway noise but on lake with laundry, showers, full hookups, firewood for sale, restaurant, matanuska lake access, long term parking too. Some sites have gorgeous lake views."
"Minutes away from the amenities of a small city. Not much privacy between spots but there are some trees. There’s a lake with some small walking trails which are nice in the morning."
"Great all around, Great Lake. Good trees."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Saw a few with overlapping awnings 72 is a great site, our 30 ft 5er and f250 fitted in fine, but some caution needs to be exercised when driving. Trees made Starlink coverage a bit spotty."
"RIGHT next to a cemetery. Had a dump station and water. No Mountain View’s and bustling on the weekend. Spots are close together, parking lot style but do have grass and picnic table."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"In the end, our stay had both frustrations and positives, with poor check-in and site issues offset by a helpful manager when we ran into problems."
"Favorite place we stayed at out of all locations on our trip. Cleanliest, coziest, well-taken care of place. Bathrooms and showers were 10/10."
"Harchers pass is a very remote area with camping opportunities along the route from Palmer Alaska to the road to Denali. There are no amenities and few people in tge area."
"Explore mountains, glaciers and rivers and some of the most beautiful backcountry the state of Alaska has to offer"
"Quiet nice sites next to a large pond. They made a nice sandy beach. Good location right off the highway but somehow quiet."
"Close to a bike trail and a sandy beach to Johnson pond. There is decent space between RV and tons of wild flowers."
"Vrey nice facility, clean, shallow lake great for kayaking swimming and fishing. Downside is that you cannot use this lake without paying, even if you walk in."
"We rented a canoe and fished on the lake. The kids also went swimming on a super hot day with life vests available to borrow."
GuideThe campground is clean and has nice grass, flowers and shrubs separating the rows of campers. Grass pads so get on an open to the sky site for sun and wind to keep it dry. Good potable water, dump for $6. Bathhouse leaves a lot to be desired. I couldn’t take a shower in there it was so flooded and muddy.
LegendIt's apparent that at one time this was a very nice campground. Unfortunately it has fallen into disrepair and is showing its neglect.
Perhaps the biggest problem with this campsite is how close it is to the main Highway and the amount of road noise.
As for the rest I will let the pictures and video speak for themselves.
TravelerThis campground isn’t marked on maps. I just took a chance and went. There are about 20 sites on a ridge some overlooking the creek. There is an access trail to the creek. Pit toilets are available as well as fresh water from a hand pump. I didn’t try it. Some sites are not yet cleaned or set up from the winter I guess. The night we stayed there were just 2 others in the park. Close to Talkeetna and gas , propane etc. The sites are well spaced for privacy, especially on the ridge. Sorry I didn’t take pictures but think state park level quality for the completed sites.
GuideEnjoyed our stay here. Sites are all pull through turnouts and 40 have full hookups including sewer. Another 5 in the back have water and electric and also several tent sites. Sites are fairly level and you face the woods which is an enjoyable view. Each site has a picnic table and grill. Some sites bigger, some smaller and all fairly close together, sharing the sides of the gravel road.
Mosquitoes were out and about but also saw a lot of small wildlife and birds. And even small black bear ran across the road the day we pulled in.
Highly recommend if you’re able to get on base and need a stopover with full hookups. n
LegendA quiet exceptionally well maintained small private campground. Conveniently located just outside Palmer Alaska, it is a perfect stopover location.
Both the bath and laundry rooms are clean and well maintained. As of the writing of this review showers are $5 and laundry is $5 per load. The charge for both laundry and showers is done on the honor System and users are requested to go to the check encounter to pay for use after the fact. It should also be noted that due to the size of his campground the bathrooms are co-ed. This is not a political statement but rather a simple logistical fact. Parents with children are very strongly encouraged to go with them to the bathroom to avoid any unfortunate embarrassing situations.
As for the rest of this review, I believe pictures are worth a thousand words. Please see attached.
ScoutWe have now been misled by Dirt 3 times.
TravelerWe went and the water was too high to cross onto the river bed, so we stayed on the gravel path immediately off the highway. not a bad spot with a good view of the river. you can hear the highway, but we’re sleeping in a van so not a concern
GuideAbout a mile off highway down a good gravel road. Four gravel areas able to accommodate any size rig. Some sites around the perimeter have fire rings. Pit toilets available.
TravelerStopped here for an overnight before heading into Palmer. Plenty of room to drive in with truck and tow behind 18 ft camper . Stayed right on the river bank
Wasilla, Alaska offers campers diverse terrain spanning lake shores to mountain foothills with elevations ranging from 300 to 1,200 feet. Summer temperatures typically hover between 55-75°F with longer daylight hours, while spring and fall camping requires preparation for overnight temperatures that can dip below freezing. Most camping sites near Wasilla, Alaska operate seasonally, with access roads typically clear of snow from mid-May through late September.
Paddle the canoe trails: Finger Lake State Recreation Site Campground connects to a 7-mile canoe trail system perfect for day exploration. "Seven miles of canoe trails, a swimming beach, and nice campsites make this a weekend getaway," notes one visitor about Finger Lake State Recreation Site Campground. Rentals available seasonally.
Wildlife spotting: Early mornings and evenings provide prime wildlife viewing opportunities near Eklutna Lake Campground. "This is a great place to see bears! Moose.... Foxes. The waters are clear and the landscape is so lush. There are a ton of flies though in the summer. Especially next to all this water. Mosquitos are aggressive at night," reports one camper.
Winter camping and recreation: Several areas remain accessible for winter adventures. "This is a great place to build a snow cave or do some winter camping. It gets cold so dress warm in the -20--40 range. There are lots of great places to drive up to and snowboard to the roadway," explains a visitor to Hatcher Pass Backcountry Sites.
Lake access for swimming: Many campgrounds feature swimming areas with varying amenities. "The kids had a park they could play at... Short walk to the river, we had a blast with kids and dogs at the water," notes one visitor at Matanuska River Park Campground.
Spacious camping sites: Several campgrounds offer well-spaced sites. At Lake Lucile Campground, "There are some trees. There's a lake with some small walking trails which are nice in the morning. Pit toilets, picnic tables, fire pit. Best part is the price. $10 for dry camping and $20 for electric!"
Community facilities: Many campgrounds include shared spaces for gatherings. "Pavillion with fire pit, two grills so you dont have to unpack yours, and hammocks to laze away the day. Laundry and showers look like an old west town, too cute!" describes one visitor to Anchorage N KOA Journey.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "If you live in Anchorage or the valley this is a nice campground. The camp host is very attentive but on sunny weekends the campground and day area fills up quickly," notes a visitor about Finger Lake State Recreation Site Campground.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "The road to get the rv up the hill was a little sketch as no room for someone coming in the other direction," warns a visitor to Kepler Bradley Lake.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. One camper at Forget Me Not RV Park notes, "Nice place to take the kiddos. Right off the parks Hwy before the Big Lake turn off... You do hear noise from the Highway and it looks like there are some long term residents that were running their generators consistently."
Enclosed play areas: Several campgrounds offer designated children's spaces. "This is a great place to take the kiddos. Right off the parks Hwy before the Big Lake turn off... There is an older swing set for smaller kids to play on and there are kayaks, canoes, & paddle boats for rent," reports a visitor to Forget Me Not RV Park.
Beginner-friendly options: For new campers, certain sites provide easier experiences. "Great place to bring kids especially on a first camping trip. Dog friendly. Tent friendly. Can accommodate large RVs. No spot is bad," notes one visitor about Finger Lake State Recreation Site.
Multi-generational amenities: Look for campgrounds with diverse activities. "Seven miles of canoe trails, a swimming beach, and nice campsites make this a weekend getaway! Two large group sites, 24 tent sites and 8 rv sites, 1-8 and 15-21 are reservable, with sites 9-14 fcfs. $25 a night dry camping," details a visitor at Finger Lake State Recreation Site.
Site size considerations: RV campers should check site dimensions before booking. At Matanuska River Park Campground, "Water and sewer via dump station...30 amp service available up top. Wooded tent and RV sites down the hill in 'The woods'. 72 is a great site, our 30 ft 5er and f250 fitted in fine, but some caution needs to be exercised when driving."
Price variations: Electric hookup costs vary significantly between campgrounds. "Minutes away from the amenities of a small city. Not much privacy between spots but there are some trees. Best part is the price. $10 for dry camping and $20 for electric!" notes a visitor to Lake Lucile Campground.
Winter accommodations: Year-round RV camping requires preparation. "They have great amenities. The campground has helpful and friendly staff, clean bathrooms, a nice laundry facility, and even a playground with a communal pavilion for people to gather round together," explains a visitor to Anchorage N KOA Journey, one of the few year-round options in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there RV-friendly campgrounds in Wasilla?
Yes, Wasilla has several RV-friendly camping options. Fox Run Lodge & RV Campground is conveniently located right off the highway and offers full RV hookups along with dry camping options and lakeside tent spots. The Springer RV Park & Campground provides RV sites with amenities like a community fire pit and grassy areas. Just outside Wasilla, Hatcher Pass RV Park & Cabins accommodates large RVs and those hauling ATVs, with trees providing separation between sites. Its location offers easy access to Hatcher Pass, Talkeetna, and Wasilla. Forget Me Not RV Park is another reservable option in the area for RV campers.
What are the best campgrounds in Wasilla, Alaska?
Wasilla offers several excellent camping options within and near the city. Finger Lake State Recreation Site Campground is a top choice for water lovers, featuring limited sites and access to a canoe trail that connects to Wasilla Lake. Another standout is Nancy Lake State Recreation Site Campground, located about 25 miles from Wasilla. This enjoyable campground sits right on Nancy Lake with swimming opportunities in summer and two boat launches for water recreation. For those seeking more remote experiences, consider exploring Eklutna Lake Campground in Chugach State Park or Rocky Lake State Recreation Site, both offering pristine natural settings within driving distance of Wasilla.
Is Lake Lucile Park a good camping option in Wasilla?
Lake Lucile Campground is a basic but convenient camping option in Wasilla. The wooded campground features a great location just off the Parks Highway in town and can be very quiet. While described as somewhat basic and occasionally cheerless, it serves well for short stays of a night or two. The campground is village-supported and could be quite lovely in sunnier weather, though it can be chilly even in August. For those seeking alternatives with more amenities, Gold Creek Gold Mine offers more primitive camping with established sites featuring rock fire rings, though you'll need to ensure you're not on private property.
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