The 10 Best Camping Spots in Alaska

Few states can compare to Alaska’s stunning natural beauty when it comes to spending time in the great outdoors. Alaska is a camper’s delight, with campgrounds, recreation areas, and parks to meet any camper’s needs and preferences.

If you are thinking about pitching your tent (or parking your RV) in the Last Frontier State, we have a roundup of the ten best camping spots in Alaska below.

1. Teklanika River Campground

One of six campgrounds within Denali National Park and Preserve, Teklanika or “Tek” as campers call it, is open from May 20 to mid-September, with advance reservations recommended. (Tip: Reservations open on December 1 of the prior year).

At Tek, there are 53 campsites, and campers use the park’s transit buses to get to the site, or RV campers may drive in but must stay for a minimum of three days. There is no firewood for sale at the campground, but you can purchase it at the Riley Creek Mercantile.

Denali offers six million acres of stunning wild land, and Tek is just one of several spots to call home base as you explore this incredible Alaska park.

2. Riley Creek Campground

Another popular campsite at Denali, Riley Creek Campground, offers 142 campsites and is also a good choice for those who want to “stay on the grid.” Cell phone reception is available (unlike at Tek and some other campgrounds), and there is a seasonal store with ice and firewood for sale.

A shower house and laundry facilities make this an in-demand campsite, so reservations are recommended as Riley fills up quickly, especially in the spring. Note each site is limited to a maximum of 8 people, and pets are also welcome at the campground. RVs are also allowed, but there are no hookups at Denali.

3. Savage River Campground

With access to some of the most incredible views in Denali, Savage River is a small 32-site campground you can reach with your own vehicle or a free Savage River Shuttle. Campers hike the old gravel road toward the river for stunning views and enjoy a quiet campsite that is less busy than some other park spots.

The nearby Mountain Vista Rest Area and Savage Rest Area are popular places to picnic, hike, and explore Denali. Larger parties may be interested in reservations at Savage River Campground, as three sites can accommodate 9 to 20 campers.

4. Katmai National Park

If you’re interested in bear sightings, Katmai National Park will yield one (or many!) At the park’s Brooks Camp Campground, visitors can access cooking shelters with fire rings, potable water (from June 1 to September 18), toilets, and food/gear/fuel storage.

An electric fence at the campground deters bears from entering, but campers should remain alert for the possibility of bears breaking through the fence (in which case they are advised to open all gates and notify a park employee).

At the Brooks Camp Visitors Center, campers can join daily cultural walks and evening programs led by park rangers at the auditorium (June through September). Katmai was established as a national park more than 100 years ago in southern Alaska and appeals to campers and hikers interested in the intersection of nature, culture, and history.

Camping reservations open on January 5 each year, with costs ranging from $6 to $12 per person per night.

5. Homer Spit Campground

This seaside campground offers small sites for tent campers and larger spots with hookups for RVs up to 40 feet. Outstanding amenities include showers, laundry, and even free WiFi, making this a great home base for campers who enjoy modern conveniences.

Reservations open each January 1 for a May to September season at this family-owned and operated campground. Visitors enjoy the many shops and restaurants within walking distance of the campground, and fishermen love visiting the Halibut Fishing Capital of the World. Local charters are available for those who don’t want to bring their own gear.

6. Glacier Bay National Park

This stunning national park encompasses 3.3 million acres with terrain as varied as rainforest, coastlines, and mountains. Glacier Bay is a camper’s delight with access to various outdoor activities, from boating to hiking to cultural workshops with local Native American communities.

Bartlett Cove Campground in Glacier Bay is a free walk-in campground with a visitor information station open daily (where you must submit a permit application before camping). Firewood is provided, and the tent-camping-only site also has food-storage caches, composting toilets, a fire pit, and a warming shelter.

7. Kenai Fjords National Park

Camping at Kenai Fjords National Park is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the spots fill up quickly in the summer. Twelve sites are available for tents and offer central food storage, a pump for drinking water, and pit toilets.

Be aware that pets are not allowed on the campsite here, so you may want to check out one of the other Alaska campgrounds if you plan to bring your four-legged family members along.

8. Eagle River Campground

One of the four largest parks in the US, Chugach State Park is a popular Alaska camping destination thanks to its proximity to Anchorage. You will find Eagle River Campground within the park, with 57 campsites and no limits on RV sizes. These RV park spots fill quickly on a first-come, first-served basis thanks to the many amenities, including picnic areas, fire pits, toilets, and water access.

9. Eklutna Lake Campground

Another popular campground in Chugach State Park overlooks scenic Eklutna Lake, with 50 campsites and numerous amenities. Visitors enjoy hiking nearby trails, fishing, and boating in the summer months, as well as cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter months. These sites are also used on a first-come, first-served basis.

10. Galbraith Lake Campground

This Northern Alaska campground, run by the Bureau of Land Management, features 30 campsites near a lake formed by glaciers. Today it is home to trout and other species. Campers and fishermen enjoy this quiet and remote spot though it can be extremely cold in the winter months. You need to supply your own firewood and bring plenty of supplies and gear for this location as there are few amenities.