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Best Tent Camping in Alaska

1,406 Reviews

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.

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Best Tent Sites in Alaska (117)

    1. Wonder Lake Campground — Denali National Park

    16 Reviews
    Denali National Park and Preserve, AK
    Website
    +1 (907) 683-2294

    $16 / night

    "Well worth the long drive in, the sites are large with plenty of space around you so that feel almost as if you're out there alone."

    "Drive alllll the way to the end of the road in Denali. As if you weren't already rewarded by the trip through the park, this campground is incredible."

    2. Exit Glacier Campground — Kenai Fjords National Park

    16 Reviews
    Seward, AK
    Website
    +1 (907) 422-0500

    "Camping is free and no registration required, just set up in an open spot. Spots are secluded and spaced far apart. Sites are nothing but a gravel pad."

    "This is a nice little walk in campground. The sites aren't very far from the car and the food storage/shelter/eating area isn't far from the car either."

    3. Lower Skilak Lake Campground

    9 Reviews
    Soldotna, AK
    Website
    +1 (907) 262-7021

    "Was amazed with the beauty and trails in this area. The campsite for tents have to be hiked in to get to. The RV sites can accommodate tent camping, with smaller tents."

    "There is not charge for these spots and most have picnic tables and are right on the shore of the lake."

    4. Bartlett Cove Campground — Glacier Bay National Park

    6 Reviews
    Gustavus, AK
    Website
    +1 (907) 697-2627

    "The campground has 36 individual walk-in sites (3-group sites) and the closest are around 1/4 miles from the parking lot. The park provides wheelbarrows to help tote your camping gear to the site."

    "Great primitive campground a short walk (less than 1/2 mile) from the parking lot."

    5. Alaska Marine Highway

    5 Reviews
    Whittier, AK
    Website
    +1 (800) 642-0066

    "You can pitch a tent on the deck, or sleep under the heated overhang. You can also get a private cabin if you’d like, or find a quiet place in other places on board."

    "This is the state of Alaska's public ferry system and runs from Bellingham, WA to Dutch Harbor, AK."

    6. North Beach at Caines Head State Rec Area

    4 Reviews
    Seward, AK
    Website

    "The vault toilets and covered group cooking/eating areas were in great shape and stayed dry.

    From the campground, we hiked up to explore the abandoned WWII fort, Fort McGilvray."

    "WHAT YOU MUST KNOW: The campground is either accessible via boat or hiking in at LOW TIDE ONLY."

    7. Portage Cove Campground

    4 Reviews
    Haines, AK
    Website
    +1 (907) 269-8400

    "Just a short walk from 'downtown' Haines, this lovely little campground is just great! There is easy access to the beach, with a wonderful view of Haines and the fjords and mountains."

    "There are plenty of affordable RV parks in the area, but I prefer pitching it on the coast at Portage Cove (no RVs, walking or bike only). It's not far from the ferry terminal or downtown."

    8. Tonsina Point at Caines Head

    3 Reviews
    Seward, AK
    Website

    $5 / night

    "Tonsina Point Campground is the first campground, 2.1mi hike in from Lowell Point, on the way out to Caines Head/North Beach or is a great destination to camp on its own."

    "Hiking in, which we did on the way in. It is very important to check the tides, and it is recommended to avoid hiking along the beach once the tide reaches +3."

    9. Brooks Camp Campground — Katmai Bay National Park

    3 Reviews
    Port Lions, AK
    Website
    +1 (907) 246-3305

    $45 / night

    "If you are a national parks enthusiast, or even remotely interested in them, you’ve probably heard of this spot in Alaska where you can witness bears grabbing salmon straight out of a waterfall."

    "Flew from Florida to Seattle to Anchorage to King Salmon .. and then took a little puddle jumper to Brooks Camp."

    10. Copper River Campground — Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

    4 Reviews
    Chitina, AK
    Website
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Recent Tent Camping Photos in Alaska

31 Photos of 117 Alaska Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews in Alaska

1406 Reviews of 117 Alaska Campgrounds

  • Cody M.
    Jun. 10, 2021

    Exit Glacier Campground — Kenai Fjords National Park

    Quiet Seclusion

    Camping is free and no registration required, just set up in an open spot. Spots are secluded and spaced far apart. Sites are nothing but a gravel pad. A communal cooking, fire, and food storage area is provided. Non-potable well water. Clean vault toilets. Very quiet. The weather was often much milder at the campground than in town.

  • Brad B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 3, 2019

    Little Nelchina State Rec Area

    Primitive camping by the river.

    We stayed here before our river trip down the Nelchina river. Nice place to set up a tent and sit by the fire. Lots of wildlife in the area. Saw bear tracks close to tent so make sure you use bear safe containers and don't take food in your tents. Amazing views all around. The river is nice and has some amazing views. 

    Please pack out what you take in and leave no trace. This is a nice spot to camp with a picnic table and out house and great tent spots. Last time I camped here it was tent camping only.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2022

    Bartlett Cove Campground — Glacier Bay National Park

    Beautiful Campground to Start an Unbelievable Journey!

    This “semi-developed” campground in the park at Bartlett Cove near the Visitor’s Center is simply stunning. Campsites are free but require a permit and short briefing at the Visitor’s Center on the backcountry bear protocol. The campground has 36 individual walk-in sites (3-group sites) and the closest are around 1/4 miles from the parking lot. The park provides wheelbarrows to help tote your camping gear to the site. I point this out because we waited until arriving at the Visitor’s Center to prep our gear and food for our sea kayak trip and the distance from our campsite and parking lot required a lot of schlepping gear, food and many, many steps. It did, however, contribute to the remote feel of the campground. 

    The campsites themselves, are simply bare spots on which to pitch your tent – no picnic tables or fire rings, but there are composting toilets in the campground.  No sites in the park can accommodate camping from your vehicle or trailer, though there is at least 1 small RV park in Gustavus about 10 miles away. 

    Supplies and food should be brought with you, as the options for purchasing in Gustavus are limited. The park gift shop as well as the town’s general store does sell camping fuel in the small and green canisters – these cannot be brought on any airplane if you fly in.  At the campground, all food needs to be prepared and consumed on the rocky beach, in the intertidal zone, away from the camping area so that all food smells and debris are carried away by the water and do not attract bear curiosity. Regardless of the weather, you must cook here so bringing a small rain fly is a good idea. Food must be stored in the food cache shelters scattered along the trail winding through the campsite. 

    As the weather can be cold and rainy anytime during the summer the park provides warming huts which are 3 sided shelters with wood stoves that a perfect place to hang out, dry off and warm up. Firewood is both copious and free. No food consumption or preparation should be done in these shelters. Back Country camping is available anywhere within the park except areas that are closed. Rangers will provide information on campsite selection as well as a lot of other information in the mandatory backcountry briefing held twice a day(10am& 6pm at the Visitor's Center).

    Check out our video of our backcountry experience in Glacier Bay here:  https://youtu.be/bYmf6GKT5kA

  • Tanya B.
    Jun. 28, 2020

    Spencer Whistle Stop

    All Alaska has to offer on train ride away

    2020 has modified service. July 3rd - September 7th.

    There are two group campsites that must be reserved through the Alaska Railroad 800.544.0552.

    Clean restroom facilities Bear proof food storage Picnic tables Fire ring

    Just remember pack it in pack it out on the train.

    Also available for a great day hike. At a $132 a person it is not a cheap hike.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 10, 2023

    Lakeview Campground

    Great Place to Camp Before / After the ALCAN Border Crossing

    We were lucky enough to visit this FREE (volunteer serviced) campground twice, once on our way into Alaska and once more on our way out. Just about 30 minutes from the US border services and 52 miles from the Canadian border services, this place is ideally suited to travelers.. And the endless sunset in the fall...well, our pictures tell that story!

    Most of the campsites are small and will only accommodate rigs less than 30 feet total length, but a few might fit if you’re creative and skillful. The sites all have a picnic table and fire ring, and like many Alaskan campsites there are bear lockers for food storage for cyclists and motorcycle campers. The bathrooms were clean vault toilets, but drinking water wasn’t available - except from the lake.  While the campsites were wooded, there was a lot of open sky and the long days meant that we had plenty of solar power.  Roof top panels should be fine in many sites and portable solar suitcases could be put out in the others to collect what you need. 

    Bring your paddle boats, with access to the lake right at the bottom of the loop, the paddling and fishing opportunities are great, and the waterfowl viewing is simply stunning. A short trail leads to a bird blind where birding enthusiasts can bring out their big lenses. Walking and hiking opportunities are limited to along the ALCAN, and watch out for the neighbor’s dogs when you go back up to the intersection – they take their "guard dog" job seriously. 

    The nearest services are in Northway Junction which has occasional gas, another 45 miles toward Fairbanks and you reach the village of Tok, which offers all the things campers along the ALCAN need.  Be aware that the prices in Tok are less expensive than in Glen Allen at the local Three Bears grocery store, so stock up if you’re heading south along the Tok Cut-Off Hwy.

  • Josiah P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2018

    Mendenhall Lake Campground

    Conveniently located & Beautiful

    Easy access to epic beauty from the airport. The glacier brings the temperature down significantly from the surrounding area ❄️ All of the campsites are furnished with picnic tables, tent pads & fire rings with grills. Water faucets & accessible vault toilets are provided, as are two accessible flush toilets and shower facilities. A dump station & trash dumpster are located on-site.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2022

    Kendesnii Campground — Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

    Beautiful, free, and no one around!

    Distances are vast in the north country, and the drive back into this free campground will take at least an hour from the visitor’s center, but it’s worth it. Set along the banks of a small lake, each of the sites offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, and enough space between sites to feel like you’re there alone. Vault toilets, well water, and the usual picnic table and fire ring are the only amenities. Wide open sky, but no electricity, so bring your solar powered system! 

    Hiking, biking and paddling opportunities abound in the park, but bring your rubber boots because the ground is soft and many trails go through deep puddles. The road is paved and mostly good until mile 15 and then becomes a dirt road which is regularly maintained by the park service. Go slow as potholes and washboards are common regardless of the surface. 

    The closest full services are in Tok about 45 miles away from the Nabesna Road turnoff, or further south in Glenallen. Groceries are far more expensive in Glenallen than in Tok so if you’re coming that way fill up!

  • Tanya B.
    Aug. 23, 2020

    Williwaw Campground

    Always bring a rain jacket

    Campground: Portage – Williwaw   So many nice things about this campground and the other portage campgrounds.  I always like to give the warnings but hope this does not keep you from coming here.  Be prepared for WIND.  I mean big wind.  Bring extra stakes if you are tent camping.  Be prepared for rain, lots of rain.  Be prepared for wildlife encounters.  I cannot tell you how many times I have seen black bear along this road.   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.   Cell Service: No Internet: No 2020 Cost: $18-$28 Max stay: 14 days Distance from Anchorage: 55 Best sites: Premium sites $28 – 20, 21, 30, 34, 41, 50, 57 Also good are spots 24, 25, 26, and 38 Bug Factor (1 minimal to 10 too many to enjoy): 5 if it gets sunny the bugs come out

  • Cody M.
    Jun. 10, 2021

    Bear Paw RV Park II (Adults Only)

    Adult Tenting

    Awesome tenting area! Lots of shaded spots by the road, but if you’re willing to walk in, the spots on the hill are fantastic! I had the entire hill to myself and took the spot at the very top which had great views of town and the sea. All the walk-in spots have picnic tables, fire rings, and tent pads. Adult only area has its own bathrooms with free showers. Laundry is $3 each to wash and dry and is also on site. The bunnies are just the icing on the cake. Great tent camping!

Guide to Alaska

Tent camping in Alaska offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in breathtaking natural landscapes, from rugged coastlines to serene lakes. With a variety of campgrounds available, adventurers can find the perfect spot to pitch their tents and enjoy the great outdoors.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $20

  • The Bartlett Cove Campground is free but requires a permit, making it an excellent budget-friendly option for those looking to explore Glacier Bay National Park.
  • At Copper River Campground, overnight camping costs $20, providing access to stunning views and fishing opportunities along the river.
  • Pasagshak State Recreation Site offers a beautiful yet primitive camping experience with no fees, perfect for those seeking solitude by the bay.

Explore local activities like hiking and wildlife viewing

Discover specific local attractions and stunning views

  • Galbraith Lake Campground provides access to breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and wildlife, making it a picturesque destination for campers.
  • The Crescent Creek campground is nestled in a secluded area, offering a magical atmosphere with opportunities for bear sightings and beautiful hiking trails.
  • Tonsina Point at Caines Head boasts stunning beach views and a nearby pavilion, perfect for relaxing after a day of exploration.

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