Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Whittier, AK

A 5 mile paddle from Whittier, AK. Watch the weather waves can build up quickly. A number of tent platforms, 2 toilets and a few bear proof boxes. From this camp ground it is time to "decide" which way you want to go as the sound really opens up to you. There is fresh water but boil or filter it first. I think I must have camped here at least 30 or 40 times, most of it before tent platforms, toilets or bear containers. I've camped here May June July August

Campground Review:

Technically, this area is not a managed or maintained camping area, and like most remote beaches in Alaska it's first come, first served but you're not likely to have much competition. This spot is located in beautiful Prince William Sound, approximately an hour boat ride from Whittier, Alaska. We set up camp where the beach meets the wooded area  As always, it is up to campers to keep the areas free of garbage and pack in/pack out everything. Don't forget to bring along a little shovel to, ahem, bury your personal business and TP. Remember that the tide differential can be huge, so don't let your boat get stranded while exploring the area. 

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Product Review:

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I am occasionally provided with products to test. We recently tested the Midland EX210VP E+Ready Bundle and ML500 LED Lantern with two of the harshest critics around– our 3 and 7 year olds.

EX210VP E+Ready Bundle – The items in this bundle are a pair of X-Talker T31 walkie talkies and the ER210 emergency weather alert crank radio. The walkie talkies were slightly smaller than others we’ve owned in the past, but they ended up being perfect for our kiddos and felt comfortable in the adults’ hands. The compact size means they fit perfectly in backpacks and jacket pockets, and can also attach via plastic clips. Often my husband will take one of the kids for a canoe ride and exploration in a nearby bay or cove and I’ll stay to beachcomb or hike with the other child, so it’s nice to have an option for keeping in touch while we’re separated, especially since we’ve encountered black bears and other wildlife in the past. Cell service is practically nonexistent in many parts of Alaska so we can’t always rely on our phones. 

I was most excited about the crank radio and it didn’t disappoint! First of all, it’s not heavy and pretty compact - about the size of a little camcorder. My kids loved the flashlight aspect and fought over whose turn it was to hold it. My husband loved the fact that it’s a NOAA weather band radio and he was able to easily access the sea forecast(does that weird computer voice creep anyone else out?) It took a bit of cranking before we could begin charging up a cell phone through the USB cord, but I’m happy as long as we have that capability. And if the battery or crank fail, you still have the option of running the device via solar power. 

ML500 LED Lantern – The light output on this is great, although we really didn’t need it since southcentral Alaska is currently seeing 21 hours of functional daylight. My daughter dropped the device on the some jagged beach rocks at low tide and the lantern still worked perfectly, even if the exterior plastic saw a few scuffs. The metal loop is perfect for hanging from the top of the tent. A wide base means it’s stable in a boat, camper, or on the picnic table. And yay for warranties, this is for one year. We didn’t need to run the lantern for long periods of time, but Midland says it’s good for 65/19 hours of illumination at low/high settings, respectively. Cons: This is very minor, but I do wish the lantern had come stocked with the three D batteries required to power the device. I realize Midland most likely went this route to lower the total cost of the light- a set of just two D batteries at our local store runs about $11. 

Overall I’d highly recommend all of these products from Midland. Our items were all color coordinated (red and black) which is kind of nice. We frequently camp with our young children on remote islands and areas only reachable by boat, so it appeals to my mom sensibilities to have gear that is reliable and can be used in a safety/communication capacity as well as for fun.

Nice, well equipped campground. Sits right on the Eagle River. River is very fast, so advise watching pets and children carefully. Close to Anchorage, but far enough out of town to get away from the hustle. Still a slightly busy campground in summer months.

Great spot close to our home of Anchorage for when we don't want to go too far. Large pavillion great for get-togethers right along the river and includes it's own bathroom. Semi-seclude sites give privacy with large open areas at your fire pits, great for groups. Some double sites perfect for camping with friends. Pet friendly just please keep the leashed and clean up after them. Watch for bear activity and make sure to keep all food and enticing items locked up.

Porcupine was our third campground of our trip and it was a good one. We wish we had gotten a better site, but there is plenty of hiking around to see the water and mountains. Oddly, being so close to the water in the summer in Alaska, we expected a deluge of mosquitoes, but actually found none! We used Porcupine as a base camp for hiking Portage Pass and checking out Whittier. If you're anticipating on going to Whittier, be mindful of the tunnel; it's the one way in/out of Whittier and has a toll. No major complaints about the campground, there was plenty of sticks laying around to fuel our BioLite Campstove 2. On our second day, the water pump that was closest to us, broke, didn't seem to have been fixed for the duration of our stay there.

This campground has all three warnings, sometimes.  There is a really nice boardwalk and the drive to this campground is great.  This is a smaller campground with only 12 sites that are not suitable for RVs.  If you are in an RV look at the williwaw campground instead.    It is centrally located between Anchorage and the Peninsula but has so many things to offer.  Trip through the Whittier tunnel is a definite.  If you are a hiker Byron glacier in good weather is decent hike.  If you have kids and even if you don’t then the Wildlife Conservation Center of Alaska is great way to get close to the biggest animals Alaska has to offer.   During the autumn and winter this campground is still open but not maintained.  Toilets may not be available so bring your own TP and prepare to pack out all your trach.   Cell Service: No Internet: No 2020 Cost: $14 Distance from Anchorage: 55 Bug Factor (1 minimal to 10 too many to enjoy): 5 if it gets sunny the bugs come out  

Love this campground, camped here a few times 18-20 years ago. Take a day trip to Portage Glacier, ride the tram at Alyeska, take the tunnel to Whittier. Or venture further to Homer or Seward. Whales frequent Turnagain Arm as the Tide comes in. Beautiful area.

In the summer, this campground books up fast so make reservations to guarantee your spot! It is a beautiful campground with a great glacier view from the campground and nice hiking trails. You are close to Portage Glacier and Whittier. The sites are nice and shaded with good separation between them. Great place to camp.

If you're camping in Portage Valley, expect rain! This whole area (Portage and Girdwood) is classified as a rain forest so everything is wet most of the time. It's a few miles down the road (on the right) leading to Portage Glacier and Whittier. The campground is small with only about 11 sites, and the road/pads are not paved. Each site has a campfire ring and wooden picnic tables - most are pretty mossy! Hand pump for water is available. Sites are fairly close together and I wouldn't recommend them for larger campers or motorhomes. No camp host at this site. Head on over the Williwaw Salmon Viewing Area when the fish are running. And check out the Begich-Boggs Visitors Center to learn all about glaciers, local wildlife and history of the Portage area. If you can't get into Williwaw (just down the road) then this is a good alternative.

Granite creek is a great stop in between Anchorage Alaska and anywhere else south.

I only gave it a four stars because tent users must place there tent on gravel or pavement and not dirt so they can regrow the dirt areas.. As I know how important this is.. we had tents.. Not at all comfortable even with pads under us. So if you are an RV or camper trailer you are in luck!

Camp sites are spacious and have a fire pit and table. There is also plenty of trees and vegetation between camping spaces so you feel far away.

You can reserve a spot and I would recommend this if you plan on camping in the months of late June, or July.. as fishing season is truly a season here in Alaska and camp sites are golden. Water pumps and state bathrooms are here. Anytime you can get a toilet and paper in the woods is a plus :)

We use this campsite every August as a "Going back to school Celebration" for parents or a " Last hang out of summer" for the kids. The paved loop offers good space for biking, throwing a ball or side walk chalk and you can bring your choice of boat to fish or float in the lake. ( Remember if you fish in Alaska you need a fishing license ages 16+)

You get an amazing view of kenai mountains here and your typical Alaskan wildlife.. magpie, moose, eagle and sometimes bear.. although we have never seen a bear here, I highly encourage bear safety. This includes keeping your camp clean, food in your car and carrying bear spray.

Dogs are allowed here and we have never been told to leash them.. we rarely see a camp host coming site to site except to check that you have paid properly.

Some sites border the kenai river which can run pretty vast, cold and hard, so if you so choose that site please be respectable of the water and its ways.

There is a fee for staying here around 14.00 and a lovely little ice cream parlor at the corner to tell your children that if they are good camping you for see ice cream in their future :)

This is a glorified parking lot, for sure, but it is set in the middle of an Alaskan wilderness wonderland. In every direction you look lies stunning views: mountains, glaciers, fjords, waterfalls, and rivers.  What the campground lacks in charm, the scenery simply overwhelms. The sites lie around the perimeter of the square, where there are some grass areas for tents and ample places for RVs of any length. If you can make it through the tunnel, there's room for your rig.  Pay for your site at one of the village parking machines near the marina.

The two vault toilets were clean enough to get the job done. There is water and a dumpster or two for trash– but remember, you’re not there for the campground.  The surrounding area is gorgeous, but as the locals say, "The weather is always shittier in Whittier!"  We got 1.5 nice days and it rained the rest of the time.  Regardless, we fit a lot in!

A note about generator etiquette, while there is no rule stating that you can’t run your generator all night long, that does not invite you to do so. If you must power whatever it is you have to run while you sleep there is a better way to do so without impacting your neighbors. Check us out at https://freedominacan.com/solar-powered-by-renogy for all the solar power information you could possibly want. 

If you are lucky enough to visit when the sun shines, consider yourself extra blessed and don’t waste a minute of that time inside! There’s a short biking/ walking path into the town from the campground, take a boat excursion, go for a guided sea kayaking paddle(complete with viewing 1,000 foot waterfall) or explore the area on foot. There’s a great hiking trail which starts right across the main road. It’s stunning. 

The town has a few services, including gas, bars and restaurants and a convenience store. There’s not a lot of options in town though so come prepared.

All spots are close to one bathroom or another. Train does run by at 6 am so it makes a great alarm clock. Quiet time ends at 6 am. Half the camp sites are next to the bike path so watch your dogs. Dry camping and you can reserve cabins but have to do way in advance.

I have lived in Alaska almost 3 years and still not get over the beauty of this state. Chugach State Park is no different. If you have never been to Alaska and live to hike or camp, you need to plan a trip up here!

Beautiful camp sites in thick wooded areas. Watch for mosquitos (like everywhere in Alaska!) and be prepared for plenty of road noise echoing off the valley walls.

Great spot to stay for a nite or two. Bring your fishing pole as you're close to the river. Enjoy what Alaska has to offer!