Best Tent Camping in Alaska
Alaska's wilderness offers exceptional tent camping opportunities across its national parks and state recreation areas. Wonder Lake Campground in Denali National Park provides tent-only walk-in sites with unparalleled mountain views when skies are clear. Exit Glacier Campground in Kenai Fjords National Park features 12 secluded tent sites with gravel pads and communal cooking areas. Bartlett Cove Campground in Glacier Bay National Park offers 36 walk-in tent sites accessible via a quarter-mile trail from the parking area. North Beach at Caines Head State Recreation Area provides tent platforms and beach camping accessible only by boat or hiking at low tide.
Most tent campgrounds in Alaska require proper food storage due to bear activity. Bear-proof lockers or food caches are provided at established sites, with specific regulations about where cooking can occur. Exit Glacier Campground prohibits food storage at individual campsites, instead providing communal storage areas. At Bartlett Cove, campers must attend a mandatory orientation on bear safety protocols and must prepare food only in designated areas. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with rain common throughout the summer season. Vault toilets are standard at most locations, but running water is limited. According to reviews, mosquitoes can be intense, particularly at Wonder Lake, where head nets and strong repellent are recommended.
Primitive tent camping in Alaska offers remarkable solitude and wildlife viewing opportunities. One visitor reported that Wonder Lake sites are "large with plenty of space around you so that you feel almost as if you're out there alone." At Tonsina Point, campers noted the option to either use established forest sites or camp directly on the beach for glacier views. Backcountry tent camping is available throughout Alaska's parks with proper permits. Campers at Exit Glacier described sites as "secluded and spaced far apart" with "non-potable well water" available. Many walk-in tent sites require carrying gear short distances, with Bartlett Cove providing wheelbarrows to transport equipment from the parking area to campsites. Pack rain gear regardless of the forecast, as weather conditions can shift quickly.