Camping spots near Anchorage, Alaska range from public campgrounds to secluded wilderness areas within a 45-minute drive of the city. Winter temperatures often drop below 0°F, while summer highs typically reach 65-75°F with 16-20 hours of daylight. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 300-1,200 feet and many don't take reservations during shoulder seasons.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: At Eagle River Campground, multiple trails follow the campground and river. "Beautiful location on River. ADA accessibility. Dump station on site. Restrooms available. There is a fee and a limit on how long you can stay. It was 4 days when we were there. Trails are nearby and fishing opportunities," notes Lisa S.
Biking along scenic paths: Bird Creek offers excellent cycling opportunities. "Situated right along Bird Creek bike path this is a great place to stay if you love to ride your bike. Whale watching and fishing are also two things to help pass the time," reports Shadara W.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Eklutna Lake Campground provides excellent wildlife spotting. "This is a great place to see bears! Moose.... Foxes. The waters are clear and the landscape is so lush. There are a ton of flies though in the summer. Especially next to all this water. Mosquitos are aggressive at night," cautions Carly S.
Kayaking and water activities: Eklutna Lake Campground offers water sports on glacier-fed waters. "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. First come, first served," explains Shadara W.
What campers like
Secluded forest sites: Many campers appreciate the natural setting at Eagle River. "Large campground with paved roads. Lots are spread out well and it is fairly comfortable and quite. Multiple trails travel along the campground and the river. Beautiful Alaskan experience right next to Alaska's largest city," shares Andrew R.
Proximity to towns: Porcupine Campground provides easy access to the small town of Hope. "Great views, great spots, perfect for Gull Rock Hike!" says Lauren T. Another camper noted, "Great place for side trips. We went the last weekend of the season and the bugs were still pretty thick."
Cabin alternatives to tent camping: Bird Creek Campground offers cabin rentals for those seeking more shelter. "Bird Creek camp/RV/Cabin site is a beautiful 25 minute journey south of Anchorage. Far enough away but close enough to town if you feel the need to get back to the city. We rented a cabin 95$ a night... there is a small wood stove and wood supplied for each cabin which was amazing!" shares Aimee H.
Well-maintained facilities: Girdwood Campground gets high marks for upkeep. "Small private walk up sites. Parking is close. There is a large common area for a camp fire and covered picnic tables. I enjoyed the common areas as that facilitates meeting new people," writes Kamicia M.
What you should know
Seasonal closures and weather: Most campgrounds near Anchorage operate May through September. "This campground has 22 sites and 2 public use cabins. There's bathrooms but no showers. We stayed during the off season so we ended up in the camp host site accidentally since it was one of the few that wasn't still covered in snow," reports Elizabeth G. about Bird Creek.
Reservations and availability: Popular sites fill quickly in summer. "Great to have a place so close to town just to stop for an overnight. Get there early for a spot on the weekends. Sites are small for the most part, better for RVs or a small tent. Some traffic noise throughout," advises Liz S.
Road noise considerations: Several campgrounds near major roads experience traffic noise. "Individual camp sites do not have fire rings and the camp sites are close together. Right next to the road so road noise was an issue," notes Brendon B. about Girdwood Campground.
Insect preparedness: Mosquitoes are prevalent throughout the region. "There are a ton of flies though in the summer. Especially next to all this water. Mosquitos are aggressive at night," warns one camper about Eklutna Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Black Spruce Campground offers facilities for children. "There's a playground for the kids, a bike path that can be taken to the shopette or one of the neighborhood playgrounds. Close to the hospital, PX/commissary, and the Muldoon gate," mentions Megan W.
Pet-friendly options: Most campgrounds allow pets but require leashes. "Camp ground was spacious and very quite. It was a rainy and windy weekend and we still had fun. Rode our bikes down the lake side trial, people were nice and respectful. Also the dogs and kids love playing on the beach," says Sara H. about Eklutna Lake.
Safety considerations: Wildlife encounters require preparation. "I bring a bug net for my head too, this way when they are extremely bad, I can still enjoy being outside. The hiking trails are absolutely beautiful!! Watch for Moose. Look up every so often because there are also bald eagles around," advises Melisa A.
Common areas for group activities: Girdwood Campground offers shared spaces. "There is a large common area for a camp fire and covered picnic tables. I enjoyed the common areas as that facilitates meeting new people," notes one camper.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up availability: Most campgrounds offer limited or no hookups. "Electric, water and dump. Bathrooms barely adequate, dirty, wet floors, hard to use showers. Combination door lock which was changed mid stay to keep out the homeless. Overall I would stay here again given the location and low price $35 electric," says Jerry G. about Centennial Campground.
Dump station locations: Several campgrounds provide sanitary dumps. "Located around 5 minutes to Eagle River. Beautiful location on River. ADA accessibility. Dump station on site. Restrooms available," notes Lisa S.
Size restrictions: Many sites can't accommodate larger rigs. "Campsites are pretty spaced. You get a picnic table and a fire ring for 20 bucks a night. Yes, there is road noise but that does calm down at night. Pit toilets around, clean and stocked. No water, so bring some," advises Lisa F.
Off-season access: Some RV parks remain open year-round. "Two sides. Side B caters to Caravan groups and high end rigs. Side A is more truck campers, smaller campers and long term stays. Good on site laundry," reports Karl W. about Golden Nugget RV Park.
