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Best Dispersed Camping in Alaska

34 Reviews

Alaska offers numerous dispersed camping opportunities across its vast wilderness areas. Exit Glacier Road Designated Special Use Area provides free primitive camping near Seward with spectacular mountain views. The entrance can be difficult to spot, marked by large boulders, and requires high-clearance vehicles to navigate the bumpy access road. Mineral Creek near Valdez offers pristine riverside camping with good mountain views. Creekside Parking provides a small but convenient overnight spot for smaller rigs with good cell service.

Most dispersed sites in Alaska lack basic amenities. No drinking water, toilets, or trash facilities are available at most locations, requiring campers to pack out all waste. According to reviews, East Fork Chulitna Wayside offers over 10 free campsites with pit toilets and fire rings, making it a valuable alternative when other areas are closed. Several campers noted that mosquitoes can be extremely problematic throughout Alaska, particularly in summer months. Bear safety precautions are essential at all sites.

Road conditions vary significantly across Alaska's dispersed camping areas. The Denali Highway is considered excellent for dispersed camping with multiple pull-offs offering privacy and views. Moose Pass, approximately 25 miles from Seward, features a large open area where seaplanes occasionally take off from the adjacent lake. Mile 48 on Chena Hot Springs Road provides access to two small lakes popular for fishing, with weekend crowds giving way to midweek solitude. Maximum stay limits typically range from 8-14 days, though enforcement varies by location and season.

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Best Dispersed Sites in Alaska (46)

    1. Exit Glacier Road Designated Special Use Area

    9 Reviews
    Kenai Fjords National Park, AK
    Website

    "Driving from the road is BUMPY, you'll need a vehicle with high clearance.

    We rented mobile saunas, and I highly recommend doing it, it was awesome!!"

    "Boondocking galore!!! It gets five stars for what it is. Beautiful spots right by the river and five minutes from Seward and shopping one way and five minutes from Kenai Fjords NP the other."

    2. Roadside Camp on Parks Highway

    5 Reviews
    Healy, AK

    "Looking for a place to camp near Denali as main campground full. I don’t know why more people are not here! Have a great tucked in flat site."

    "I ended up doing car camping here on a whim because it was super rainy and I wanted somewhere I could comfortably car camp without running into the risk of being disturbed and let me tell you this was"

    3. Mineral Creek, Valdez, AK

    5 Reviews
    Valdez, AK
    Website

    "Primitive dispersed camping. No facilities. Next to glacier creek. Salmon run Aug-early Sept. Google map Mineral Creek Rd, take it to end then keep going down gravel road."

    "I parked at this coordinate. I found two RVs there. (61.1415202, -146.3619950). The Mineral Creek trailhead is cross the bridge."

    4. Creekside Parking

    3 Reviews
    Valdez, AK

    "No trash or picnic tables. Good cell signal. Open enough for Starlink and solar. Creek next to lot provides white noise for sleeping."

    5. Moose Pass

    3 Reviews
    Moose Pass, AK

    "Moose Pass Trailhead

    As with most BLM trailheads, zut services."

    "Saw two seaplanes take off from the lake (take the Southern spot for this).

    Hwy is loud but manageable, train as well.

    Recommendable overnight position on the way to SEWARD."

    6. Kings River

    3 Reviews
    Sutton, AK

    "Right off the highway but tons of room. There’s open spots, shady spots, and some close to the river!"

    "Most of these would offer excellent Starlink and solar. On the northwesterly side are a half dozen sites mixed among the trees."

    7. Denali Highway Mile 6.5

    2 Reviews
    Fort Greely, AK
    Website

    "Clean rest stop, and detail  interpretive signs, some times the trash over flows though"

    8. Mile 48, Chena Hot Springs Road

    2 Reviews
    Eielson AFB, AK
    Website
    +1 (907) 269-8700

    "Mile 48 pond access on Chena Hot Springs road. Two small lakes filled with fish. Busy on the weekends but empty during the week. Beautiful"

    9. East Fork Chulitna Wayside

    3 Reviews
    Cantwell, AK

    "Over 10 free campsites, no electric, no water. Pit toilets available. Sites have tables and fire rings. This is a gem of a find!"

    "You'll have to make your own path to the river, grass is high. Watch out for bears."

    10. Susitna River Banks

    3 Reviews
    Talkeetna, AK

    "Wanted a place to boondock for a couple of days near Talkeetna. Found this spot and it’s amazing.
    We are in our truck camper which could drive down no problem. Might be an issue for bigger rigs."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos in Alaska

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Dispersed Camping Reviews in Alaska

34 Reviews of 46 Alaska Campgrounds

  • Kristi D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2023

    McCarthy Road Camp

    Beautiful spot

    You can not beat your surroundings and the view!! I would give it 5/5 stars for that..

    I asked the guy at the counter if the Basecamp is private. He said yes. It's unfortunate that you have to drive down the terrible, McCarty road. It was bad. They just grated it and if we didn't have a raff adventure booked my husband would have turned around since we are hauling a camper. I'm surprised nothing broke but we still need to get back :(

    Considering we are in the park, I wish they had more camping options. I gave it 3/5 stars as I'm comparing to other campgrounds...$35 for NO amenities is a lot.....if it was going to the national park to pay for the footbridge maybe my opinion would be different. You get a spot with no electric or water, no bathrooms, no trash. I asked the guy at the counter and he said "no trash is our biggest complaint". So $35 is a bit much for where we are, but since this is a once in a lifetime trip for us, I get it. We enjoyed the remoteness of the town and the idea of this small community. Usually when you end up in areas this remote, you end up with free camping or cheap camping via the national park service....

    We biked five miles to Kennicott mine, we got picked up at footbridge for our raft adventure and it wasn't far to eat at "the potato" for lunch.

  • Les R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Exit Glacier Road Designated Special Use Area

    Quiet campground with nice views for our mobile sauna rental

    I stayed here with a group of my friends in our sprinter vans for two nights. Campground was quiet both nights. There was plenty of space between each party, so it felt relatively private.

    The little road can be hard to spot, we drove right passed it the first time. Driving from the road is BUMPY, you'll need a vehicle with high clearance.

    We rented mobile saunas, and I highly recommend doing it, it was awesome!! Here is the info: https://sewardsaunas.com/

    Because this is not a formal campground, but rather a special use area, keep the following in mind:

    • you are supposed to stay here a maximum of 8 nights (though I'm not sure how much this enforced)
    • There are no trash or toilets on-site, so plan to pack everything out
    • If you're not sure which areas you can camp, see this map: https://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/lands/designated-use-areas/exit-glacier-sua/pdf/exit-glacier-map.pdf
  • Gillian H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2018

    Backcountry Unit 31: Polychrome Mountain — Denali National Park

    Backcountry den

    Denali National Park and Preserve allows for backcountry camping. With that comes extreme risks as it is one of the most remote places that you can be. The National Park service does a wonderful job making sure that only a certain amount of people are allowed in each unit within the park. In this particular unit (north side of the Toklat river into the polychrome mountains) I saw the most wildlife I have ever seen while out backpacking. We found an animal spine, saw a moose, got turned around by 3 bears chilling in our potential camp location, and then at the end of the trip also saw 2 more grizzlies less than 30 feet away. Note; do not go here looking for bears, they are dangerous creatures and should not be harassed/seeked out in the wild.

    If you do not trust your river crossing skills to the highest level, do NOT cross the rivers. My friend and I got stuck on the other side of the river with those aforementioned grizzly bears and had to camp an extra night in order to be able to cross the rivers as the water levels had risen. Backcountry adventures are inherently risky. Do not try them unless you are prepared. Bring bear spray, leave no trace, and ultimately experience the vast beauty that is Denali National Park.

  • Tanya B.
    Aug. 14, 2020

    Lost Lake Trailhead

    Need 4x4 for this road. Pack it in, pack it out.

    The road after the sign is rough and a good 4 X 4 or ATV is recommended. This 7-mile hiking trail will take you to Lost Lake. After a 2-mile incline hike the trail opens up and levels off half way in.

    The Forest service recommends that you camp on Lost Lake at designated campsites. This is bear country and some of the camp sites have bear boxes. There are also pit toilets but always pack your own TP. The Forest service ask that backpackers are strongly encouraged not to camp on the Lost Lake peninsulas so that tundra can grow back a reminder that FIRES ARE PROHIBITED in alpine areas.

    Cell Service: at sign Internet: no 2020 Cost: free Distance from Anchorage: 110 miles Bug Factor (1 minimal to 10 too many to enjoy): 4-8 depends on weather

  • Constance D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2020

    Mineral Creek, Valdez, AK

    Valdez, AK

    Primitive dispersed camping. No facilities. Next to glacier creek. Salmon run Aug-early Sept. Google map Mineral Creek Rd, take it to end then keep going down gravel road. There's a car bridge to get to other side of creek. Pristine, please keep it that way!! Beautiful view of mountains.

  • Riley N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2022

    Colorado Creek Trailhead Dispersed Camping

    Great spot! Lots of beaver activity

    Such a great spot to camp on your journey to the arctic circle. there is a trailhead across the street and then on the other side of the street there is a spot right on the creek with a fire circle already made. The beavers are very active and we caught a few little trout here. Make sure you’ve got bug spray cause they’re BAD up here.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 21, 2018

    Decision Point Dispersed Camping

    About a 5 mile ocean kayaking trip from Whittier, Alaska, tent platforms

    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

  • j
    Jun. 21, 2025

    NF FH-14 Pullout Dispersed - Chugach NF

    Not a dispersed campsite

    This is just a pull off off the highway. Meant for rest stops for rvs and such. Definitely got for tent use. Avoid.

  • Kristi D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2023

    Exit Glacier Road Designated Special Use Area

    Super convenient to Kenai Fjords

    Boondocking galore!!! It gets five stars for what it is. Beautiful spots right by the river and five minutes from Seward and shopping one way and five minutes from Kenai Fjords NP the other.

    The entrance comes up quick and has huge rocks blocking part of the road. We blew by it the first time and said no way, but then we pulled over and I ran to see who was camping and surprisingly a bunch of bigger campers etc got back there so we gave it a go and we got thru better than we thought. You just need to take your time!

    Big gravel like space but isn't level so you need to drive slow, but you can find a level spot to camp for the night. No amenities as you are boondocking, but well worth it for the night!!! Highly recommend!!!

Guide to Alaska

Experience the thrill of dispersed camping in Alaska, where breathtaking landscapes and serene environments await outdoor enthusiasts. From stunning mountain views to tranquil lakes, these spots offer a unique way to connect with nature.

Top Attractions for Dispersed Campers

  • Enjoy the stunning scenery and proximity to Seward activities at the Exit Glacier Road Designated Special Use Area, where snow-covered peaks surround you.
  • Experience the beauty of Tustumena Lake, a small area with individual sites and a boat ramp, perfect for fishing and enjoying the outdoors.
  • Discover the pristine wilderness at Decision Point Dispersed Camping, accessible by a scenic kayak trip from Whittier, offering tent platforms and breathtaking views.

Top Activities While Free Camping in Alaska

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out These Features

  • Experience the unique opportunity to rent a mobile sauna while camping at Exit Glacier Road Designated Special Use Area, adding a touch of luxury to your outdoor adventure.
  • Enjoy the convenience of pit toilets and picnic tables at the East Fork Chulitna Wayside, making it a comfortable stop for families.
  • Take advantage of the large, open spaces at Moose Pass, where you can find plenty of room for various rig sizes and enjoy the stunning lake views.

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