Best Campsites in Alaska
Alaska is one of the most sparsely populated states in America with plenty of ground where campers can pitch a tent and have good old-fashioned camping experience. Choosing the ideal spot for camping can be very daunting since the myriad of Camping grounds available are all different and each provides a unique and special experience for every person. To help you narrow down your options, here is a list of the best campgrounds in Alaska.
1. Brushkana Creek Campground
This is the perfect campsite from where you can explore the famous Denali National park. Brushkana creek is located about 30 miles east of the parks highway and features 22 primitive campgrounds offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground is an ideal spot for trailers, small RVs and tents. What draws campers to this campground is its scenic location overlooking the Brushkana Creek.
2. Chena Lake Recreational Area
Located just south of Fairbanks, Chena Lake park campground offers campers a unique opportunity to view the famous Northern Lights. This park has two campgrounds, both of which offer a good blend of urban exploration and outdoor adventures. It is home to the Lake park campground with 45 campsites and the River Park with 35 campsites. Even though a short drive from town, visitors can watch wildlife wandering about the park. The main outdoor activities you can expect in this recreational area include swimming, boating, and fishing.
3. Eklutna Lake Campground
This Lake campground is located in the popular Chugach state park, just less than an hour’s drive from Anchorage. Elkutna is set alongside a 7-mile lake and it combines amazing natural beauty with a myriad of outdoor activities. Towering over the clear lake waters and breathtaking views of the snowcapped mountains, this campground offers 50 ideal campsites or tent camping. It is considered a haven for fishing, boat riding, and hiking. During the summer, campers flock to the ground for horseback riding, while snowmobiling is the popular outdoor activity for the winter season.
4. Quartz Lake Campground
Are you one of those campers who fancy a fishing-filled camping trip in the great outdoors? Then the Quartz lake campground is the perfect destination for you. This campground is considerably small and is part of the Quartz Lake State Recreational Area. Its main attraction is 16 private campsites all found in the main loop, however, there are 87 more campsites located in the parking area, which are perfect for RVs and tents. This campground is open all year round; however, it attracts more campers during the fishing season when the lake is full of the Coho Salmon and rainbow trout.
5. Montana Creek State Recreational Site
If you are a fan of angling, then this campground should be on your travel itinerary to Alaska. It is located 2 hours from Anchorage and just 30 minutes from the Denali National park. This recreational site may be relatively small, with a total of 36 campsites but it sure does pack a big punch. Many of these sites are tucked away under shady trees, offering scenic views of Montana creek and the other mountains beyond. While camping at this campground is a great experience, the greatest attraction is the world-class type of fishing which, includes rainbow trout grayling and the famous Salmon fish.
6. Bering Land Bridge National Preserve
Do you wish to have a special and unique camping experience in the arctic, a trip to Bering Land Bridge national preserve is just what you need on your itinerary. This national preserve is extraordinarily beautiful and offers a different sort of camping experience from the traditional kind. For starters, the setup of the campground is entirely different as it lacks a designated campground. All the camping is dispersed and primitive. Camping at this reserve may require additional planning and requires one to be well versed with the knowledge of how to camp in the arctic.
7. Hidden Lake Campground
This beautiful lake campground is tucked away in Kenai national wildlife refuge and is the perfect spot for campers hoping to enjoy some fishing and view some wildlife while camping. The Hidden lake campground offers 50 campsites ideal for both small RVs and tents. It also features a blend of different campsites to suit its visitor’s preferences including private and secluded options hidden away from view and public options found alongside the lake. You can also expect to find an RV dump station located on-site.
Coleman Portable Camping Quad Chair- Polyester
- Camping chair combines a cozy design with a convenient built in cooler. Roomy 24 inches seat
- Built in 4 can cooler pouch keeps cold drinks within reach
- Fully cushioned seat and back provide support and comfort
- Mesh cup holder and side pocket for quick access to personal items
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- Polyester
- Camping chair combines a cozy design with a convenient built in cooler. Roomy 24 inches seat
- Built in 4 can cooler pouch keeps cold drinks within reach
- Fully cushioned seat and back provide support and comfort
- Mesh cup holder and side pocket for quick access to personal items
8. Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve
Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve is one of the most remote located camping grounds that you can find in the state of Alaska. It is a favorite travel definition for experienced backpackers and campers looking to unplug and unwind in the outdoors. This camping ground does not offer amenities like your typical campsite and even lacks cell reception. Once you get there you are on your own and completely cut off from the rest of the world. Camping is primitive since it lacks designated campsites. Despite the challenging weather conditions and the rugged terrain, the camping ground offers an exciting camping experience. This National preserve, however, is home to arctic bears, so visitors to the campground are cautioned to follow all bear safety practices and protocols.
8. Sourdough Creek Campground
This one of the camping grounds in the state of Alaska that is managed by the Bureau of Land management. This premier camping destination is located in Gulkana National Wild and Scenic River and is one of the most affordable campgrounds- at 12 dollars per night’s stay. It features 412 campsites, which are all ideal for pitching tents. It has beautiful and scenic views of the surrounding mountainous area as well as various arctic wildlife. This campground attracts many campers due to the proximity to the Sourdough creek Interpretive Trail and easy access to the Gulkana River, which is perfect for boating and fishing.
9. Heritage RV Park
Do you wish to take your RV for camping in the State of Alaska? Look no farther than Heritage RV Park. Located on the incredible Holmer Spit, this RV Park has an array of activities to offer visitors of all ages. It is found a few steps away from the famous Homer Spit fishing hole, popular for salmon fishing. It features up to 107 campsites complete with RV hookups. This RV Park offers a wide array of amenities to its visitors including free WIFI, on-site espresso bar, satellite TV and many more. Other popular activities that campers can enjoy at the site are beachcombing and clamming.
10. Granite Creek Campground
For the campers who enjoy some solitude and privacy while camping, the granite creek campground is the perfect camping site for you. It is located Chugach National forest, towards the south central of Alaska and consists of 19 campsites scattered across the large area. The plenty of space between camps and large forested areas helps promote the sense of privacy and solitude for campers. This campground offers a breathtaking view of the soaring Kenai Mountains. While there, be sure to walk down the granite creek trail to check out the roaring waters created by the annual thawing of the glaciers around.’
11. Windfall Lake Cabin
This secluded, camping ground is located in Juneau, AK in the Tongass National Forest. This cabin is an ideal location for a quiet and reflective camping experience and is only accessible by a floatplane during the winter and a 3-mile trek by trail during the summer season. When camping at this lake cabin, be sure to bring snowshoes and skis, as the roads can get precarious during extreme conditions. Be sure to bring your amenities to suit your comfort. The cabin is meant to be a warming hut or an overnight place for the Alaskan camping adventures.
12. Lower Skilak Lake Campground
If you are looking to enjoy a low budget camping experience in Alaska, look no further than Lower Skilak Lake campground. It is located on Skilak Lake on Kenai Peninsula and is the only free site of the 3 available campgrounds. It only has 10 campsites to offer so if you intend to camp here, better be early in order get a spot on the lake campground. It is an ideal campsite for tents though RVs, which can manage to maneuver the rough roads, can also park at the campground.
13. Salmon Lake Campground
It is a popular BLM campground in the state of Alaska and is an ideal overnight destination if you are looking for a free Alaska camping experience. Salmon Lake campground is located roughly 40 miles north of Nome and features rugged, remote, and primitive campsites. The remoteness of this campground is what makes it unique and draws campers to the salmon Lake. The main outdoor activity carried out at this site is fishing.
14. Deadman Lake Campground
Set off just the Alaska Highway, this campground is one of the two located in the Tetlin National Wildlife refuge. It features a total of 15 campsites situated in the tranquil forested setting just closed to the titular lake. Most of the campsites of this campground are suited for pitching tents however, 4 of them can accommodate RVs up to 40 inches in length. It is also a popular campground for free camping.
Conclusion
Alaska offers camping opportunities that everyone in the family can enjoy. It is the only place in the United States, where you can see rainforests, ice glaciers, and the northern lights. With over 33,000 miles of shoreline and 60% of the landscape designated for public land, campers get to experience great adventures in the 15 mentioned best camping sites of this great state. Be sure to follow the rules and regulations set aside for the safety of visitors to Alaska campsites.
