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Best Campgrounds near Wasilla, AK

351 Reviews

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.

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Best Camping Sites Near Wasilla, Alaska (96)

    1. Eklutna Lake Campground — Chugach State Park

    40 Reviews
    Chugiak, AK
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 345-5014

    $5 - $100 / night

    "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."

    2. Finger Lake State Recreation Site Campground

    10 Reviews
    Palmer, AK
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 745-3975

    $25 - $100 / night

    "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."

    3. Eagle River Campground — Chugach State Park

    33 Reviews
    Eagle River, AK
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 694-7982

    "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!"

    4. Fox Run Lodge & RV Campground

    8 Reviews
    Palmer, AK
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 745-6120

    "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."

    5. Lake Lucile Campground

    7 Reviews
    Wasilla, AK
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (907) 373-9010

    $20 - $40 / night

    "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."

    6. Anchorage N KOA Journey

    7 Reviews
    Wasilla, AK
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 745-7445

    "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."

    7. Matanuska River Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Palmer, AK
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 861-8578

    $30 / night

    "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."

    8. Hatcher Pass Backcountry Sites

    6 Reviews
    Palmer, AK
    13 miles
    Website

    "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"

    9. Forget Me Not RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Big Lake, AK
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 892-3733

    "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."

    10. Kepler Bradley Lake

    3 Reviews
    Palmer, AK
    9 miles
    Website

    "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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Wasilla, AK

44 Photos of 96 Wasilla Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Wasilla, AK

351 Reviews of 96 Wasilla Campgrounds

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    The Springer RV Park & Campground

    Decent Campground

    We followed our GPS without issue to the campground near the Palmer golf course and municipal airport. The turn into the CG was a little tight but manageable with our 40’ toy hauler and F450. Check-in was quick and friendly, and we proceeded to pull-through site 24 with FHUs (50/30 AMP). When we made our reservations online, they asked for the exact length of both our RV and tow vehicle. We were definitely assigned one of their longer pull-throughs, as we could center our rig on the pad for the utilities—well-placed near the middle—while still dropping our patio and parking our truck on either side. The sites were very close together, with only a slender strip of grass and a picnic table between them. Water pressure was steady around 45 PSI. We got 2 bars on Verizon and 1 workable bar on T-Mobile. Because of the close spacing and perimeter trees, we placed Starlink on the roof and had a good connection, though many RVers set theirs on the ground. The campground WiFi worked well for browsing, with speeds of 8.69 Mbps. The laundry room was a standout: two washers and two dryers,$5 per load (pay at the office), and they provided soap and dryer sheets—easily the best laundry deal we’ve seen to date. The large overflow/tent camping area doubled as a dog run, with additional space to walk pups around the property. In our opinion, the back-in sites offered better spacing and mountain views. We also enjoyed watching small planes and helicopters come and go from the nearby airport. Overall, this campground met our needs for our five day stay.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Anchorage N KOA Journey

    Mixed Review

    We followed the website instructions and took Fireweed Road off AK-3. Arriving early cost us a $20 fee, and check-in was unpleasant as the front desk person was snippy, didn’t recognize our confirmation for a deluxe site, and gave no amenities or rules briefing. We had asked if there was somewhere we could go park until check-in time, but didn't get a response. She just kept checking us in and charged us the $20 fee. We were assigned pull-through site 8 with FHUs and 50 AMP. Since we had reserved a deluxe site back in January, we expected enough length for our 40’ toy hauler and patio, but the pad was too short and forced us to park our F-450 diagonally and still no room to put the patio down. Utilities were placed in the middle of the pad with good water pressure, but the KOA Wi-Fi never connected despite repeated attempts. Starlink had a clear shot to the sky. The next day we spoke with the manager about our experience. She offered firewood as an apology, but then discovered they were out, so we asked for our $20 early-arrival fee back instead. She agreed, but the refund never came. The campground does have two small fenced dog areas. On departure day we had a slide issue that prevented us from leaving, and the manager was very accommodating, providing the number of a local RV tech who came out that day and moving us to back-in site K4 so we could stay another night for repairs. Mobile RV and Toyostove, 907-745-0468, gave us fast, reliable service. Site K4 was definitely a much better site with plenty of space for our size rig. 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.

  • Andrea W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Golden Nugget RV Park

    A place for RVs in Anchorage but don't expect much

    We had the impression that many people stay long-term - hence a lot is laying around on the sites. Everything feels a little grubby, however the site provides W/E as well as a dumping station. Fine for one night when you have to hand your RV back the next day. If you are looking for a nice stay close to Anchorage, go to Palmer.

  • Andrea W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Matanuska River Park Campground

    Nice place well looked after

    Lots of green, a big part if the camping grounds are in a forest, RV with E Nicely arranged with well looked after grass, so you don't soil your RV.

  • Vicky S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Mountain View RV Park

    Convenient and pleasant

    I agree with the other reviewers. We stayed there on our way north to Denali. Like all RV Parks we’ve stayed in in AK, the sites don’t have any privacy, but the scenery is lovely. Liked it so will stay again on our way south.

  • Barbara W.
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Eklutna Lake Campground — Chugach State Park

    Eklutna Lake Ice Cream Camping

    Eklutna lake is just beautiful. Its several miles up the mountain but the view there is just gorgeous. The camp sites r nicely placed apart to not be right on top of ur neighbor. Firewood is available & it costs involved think 20$ a night but worth it & just down the way u can take showers, do laundry & get some killer home made Alaskan flavored ice cream. It has rentals & many amenities. Truly a very nice place to go & if ur really in for an interesting adventure. Down at the bottom of the mountain there is a Russian Orthodox Cemetary that's just amazing. Its got plaques telling of earlier years & the people who came. Creepy, Cool & Powerful all in a beautifully peaceful off the beaten path & only a mile, mile & 1/2 down the road historic adventure

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Lake Lucile Campground

    great spot away from town - but not too far away

    this is a great spot to unwind, enjoy a pretty lake, and give your pup the opportunity to run around in the dog park. it is a bit noisy, so definitely not the place if you’re looking for peace and quiet. road coming in has a short dirt patch that is in good condition. picnic table, fire pit, and free firewood available for campers. tent site - $20.

  • Scott T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Matanuska River Park Campground

    Nice Campground but lots of air traffic

    This is a nice little spot but there's two drawbacks; The campground lies just at the end of a small plane airport so there's almost constant noise. Secondly the restrooms close at 10pm.

Guide to Wasilla

Camping near Wasilla, Alaska, offers a fantastic escape into nature with stunning views and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Fishing and Canoeing: Many campgrounds, like South Rolly Lake Campground, are perfect for fishing and canoeing. One reviewer mentioned, "The campground is great if you like fishing or canoeing."
  • Hiking: Trails abound in the area. At Eklutna - Chugach State Park, you can hike the Twin Peak trailhead, which offers beautiful views. A visitor noted, "Trails were beautiful, lake view beautiful, lots of animals to see."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for moose and other wildlife. Campers at Eagle River Campground - Chugach State Park reported seeing moose during their stay, adding to the experience.

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful scenery. One happy camper at King Mountain State Rec Area said, "This is a very nice and quiet campground with amazing views."
  • Clean Facilities: Clean bathrooms and well-maintained sites are a big plus. A reviewer at Matanuska River Park Campground mentioned, "The camp host was super friendly and even gave us some wood."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Many campgrounds cater to families. A visitor at Nancy Lake State Recreation Site shared, "This is a great spot to take your younger kids to teach them the basics."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Hatcher Pass Backcountry Sites, have no amenities. A camper noted, "There are no amenities and few people in the area."
  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in summer. A camper at Centennial Camper Park warned, "The mosquito problem... almost unbearable to even be outside."
  • First-Come, First-Served Sites: Many campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A visitor at Finger Lake State Rec Area advised, "I would try to show up closer to noon after people are leaving those sites."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. One parent at South Rolly Lake Campground said, "If you have kids bring their bikes!"
  • Pack Bug Spray: Mosquitoes can be a nuisance, so bring bug spray. A camper at Nancy Lake State Recreation Site mentioned, "Skeeters weren’t terrible between the fire, bug spray and bug room we were just fine."
  • Plan for Outdoor Fun: Bring games and outdoor toys. A visitor at Eklutna - Chugach State Park enjoyed the space between sites, saying, "The first-come, first served sites are on the smaller side and very wooded."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Fox Run Lodge & RV Campground noted, "The hookups are on the opposite side if you back in."
  • Bring Extra Cords: If your RV site has hookups far from your parking spot, bring extension cords. One camper mentioned, "It is not an issue if you bring an extra extension cord."
  • Stay Connected: Some campgrounds may have spotty cell service. A visitor at Matanuska River Park Campground found that "Trees made Starlink coverage a bit spotty."

Camping near Wasilla, Alaska, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, it’s a great spot for your next outdoor getaway!

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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