12 Best Places to Go Camping in Alaska

Camping is an outdoor activity that can be done just about anywhere. Whether you are spending the night in a tent by a creek or waking up at the base camp of Denali, camping can bring joy to your life in so many ways.

This article has found the 12 best places to go camping in Alaska. This list includes everything from state parks to national forests, from pet-friendly areas to off-season activities, and it features some of the most beautiful sights this country has to offer.

1. Denali National Park

Denali National Park is located in the Alaskan wilderness, and just simply saying “Alaskan wilderness” automatically invokes images of breathtaking scenery, snow-capped peaks, and wildlife. It is one of the best places to go camping in Alaska. Nestled into an area bigger than Rhode Island, this national park has three million acres to roam around in with endless outdoor activities that you can enjoy year-round.

If Denali is your choice of camping location, campgrounds within the park allow you to stay right above the Arctic Circle. However, several spots are open only during the summer months. Some of the fun activities you can engage in include:

Hiking
Backpacking
Biking
Ski touring
Canoeing
Kayaking & rafting

2. Katmai National Park

Katmai National Park is located in Alaska, and if you are looking for a place to go camping in Alaska, then this is the place for you. Katmai National Park has several campgrounds that lie along the shores of the Copper River. Within Katmai National Park, there is a good amount of wildlife you might encounter while traveling through the Alaskan wilderness.

However, just like other locations on this list, Katmai has its share of sites only open during certain times of the year. Some of the fun activities one might do in Katmai National Park include:

Hiking
Canoeing
Mountain biking
Boating and sea kayaking

3. Troublesome Creek Campground

For those looking for a place to go camping in Alaska along the Kenai Peninsula, then Troublesome Creek Campground can be a pleasant place to stay. Within this campground is the Anchorage Accommodation Service, which has no fee campsites for the public to enjoy. With that being said, the Troublesome Creek Campground does not have any RV hookups or dump stations.

However, it does have restrooms and showers available within walking distance of the sites. If you need firewood, there is a fee to get this service. The last thing worth mentioning is that several campgrounds in Alaska and along the Kenai Peninsula allow campfires to be lit, but they also have a fee associated with them. Check out Troublesome Creek Campground if you are looking for a place to go camping in Alaska.

4. Homer Spit Campground

Homer Spit Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds on the east coast of Alaska. This location can be found in Homer, a town you will want to visit for incredible scenery, excellent seafood, and many outdoor activities. The Homer Spit Campground has spaces for RVs, but if you are looking for plenty of room and privacy, this might not exactly be the place for you.

The campground also has hot showers and flush toilets to make your stay more pleasant. Listed below are fun activities you could engage in while at Homer Spit:

Kayaking & rafting
Hiking
Canoeing
Biking

5. Valdez KOA Journey’s End Campground

If you are looking for a place to go camping in Alaska in a great area but does not cost you an arm and a leg, then the Valdez KOA Journey’s End Campground is an excellent place to consider. By being within walking distance of the ocean, this campground has breathtaking views and is tropical by way of its mild weather. The Journey’s End Campground does not have RV hookups or dump stations available, but some restrooms and showers are open during the summer months.

Lastly, the Journey’s End Campground does not have a fee for firewood. Check out this campground if you are looking for a place to go camping in Alaska.

6. Big Bear Campground & RV Park

Big Bear Campground & RV Park is located in Anchorage, and it is a great place to go camping in Alaska. This campground has plenty of available sites for RVs, but it also has tent sites open to the public. The Big Bear Campground also offers free firewood, accessible laundry facilities, free WIFI access, and even a creek nearby.

This campground is well maintained and does not cost you an arm and a leg to stay there. Some of the fun activities in this area include:

Hiking
Biking
Kayaking
Fishing
Bird watching

7. Cooper Landing Campground

Cooper Landing Campground is located in the Alaska woods and is a great place to go camping in Alaska. The Cooper Landing Campground offers free firewood, accessible laundry facilities, and free WIFI access. Several spots are available for RVs. This campground also has hot showers that you can use and flush toilets.

Some of the fun activities you can participate in include:

Hiking
Biking
Kayaking
Canoeing
Fishing
Bird watching

8. Chugach State Park

If you need a camping location close to a city, then the Chugach State Park might be one of the options you want to consider. This location is located in Anchorage, and it has plenty of trails that allow you to explore mountains, glaciers, and much more. Some sites are available for RVs in this campground, and those are only available for tents and backpackers. With all areas plentiful, this is where to go camping in Alaska if you do not mind your surroundings being close to a town.

Some of the fun activities you can participate in include:

Hiking
Canoeing
Biking

9. Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to go camping in Alaska that has a lot of wildlife and outdoor adventure to explore. This location can be found along the Kenai Peninsula, and it is easily accessible due to its proximity to Seward, a delightful town worth visiting. The campground at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge has 57 sites available for RVs, but some tent sites are available.

The campground also offers bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilets. There are also a couple of beaches.

Some of the fun activities you can participate in include:

Hiking
Bird watching
Swimming
Crabbing
Free fishing

10. Kodiak Island National Wildlife Refuge

As you can see from the title of this campground, this location does not have too many people that go there because it is a bit off the beaten path. With that being the case, the Kodiak Island National Wildlife Refuge is an excellent place to go camping in Alaska. The campground has 208 sites available for RVs, but some areas are only available if you have a tent and backpack.

The campground also has bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilets. Lastly, this campground has free firewood to use while you are there.

With all of the great activities available in this area, it is easy to see why it is worth checking out.

Fishing
Hiking
Biking

11. Seward

Seward is a beautiful place to go camping in Alaska, but it is also a place for many other outdoor activities. Seward offers hiking trails that lead you up nearby mountains and wildlife viewing areas. This location also has plenty of activities for the children to engage in. Seward is ideal for those that want to enjoy a relaxing and memorable stay on their vacation.

The campground at Seward offers campsites available for RVs and other sites that are only available if you have a tent with you. The campground also has bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilets. Lastly, this campground even has free firewood to use while you are there. There are fun activities to engage in, which include:

Hiking
Bird watching
Swimming
Fishing

12. Chena Lake State Recreation Area

Chena Lake State Recreation Area is an excellent option for those that want to go camping in Alaska with their family. Still, this location can even accommodate larger groups of people and RVs. There are restrooms with hot showers and flush toilets and the ability to purchase firewood while at this campground. There are some tent sites available, but most of them are available for RVs.

Some of the fun activities you can participate in include:

Hiking
Biking

As you can see, there are many great places to go camping in Alaska for anyone that wants to enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you want an RV parking spot or a site for tent camping only, there are plenty of options for everyone. These locations do not cost too much either, and they are worth checking out if you want to get away from it all.