​

 

There’s no better way to experience all of nature’s offerings. A leisurely hike, jumping fish, biking, s’mores around the campfire (and a break from electronics!) – it all adds up to hours of stress-free quality time with the ones you love most. State parks are often clean and well-patrolled along with plenty of activities for the kids.

​

Find the Perfect Campground

• For a list of Alaska's national parks, visit nps.gov/state/ak.

• For a list of campgrounds in the Chugach National Forest, visit forestcamping.com/dow/alaska/chug.htm

• Or in Tongass National Forest, visit forestcamping.com/dow/alaska/tong.htm.

• Make your reservations for any of these campsites at recreation.gov

(see site descriptions for more details)

​

Here are some family-friendly campgrounds to consider:

​

Campgrounds near Anchorage

​

​Eklutna Lake Campground

Features: Picnic tables, two picnic shelters, fire pits, water, latrines, and ranger station plus an overflow camping area of 15 sites and a campground host
Recreational Activities: Fishing, boating, trails for hiking, ATV use, bicycle and horses
Number of Sites: 50
Location: Mile 26.5 of the Glenn Hwy., approximately 35 minutes north of Anchorage
Fee: $20 a night per site
Maximum Stay: 15 days
Contact: 907-269-8400

​

Eagle River Campground

Features: Picnic tables, one picnic shelter, fire pits, water, latrines, flush toilets, dump station, overflow camping of 10 sites, and a campground host
Recreational Activities: Fishing, whitewater rafting, and several hiking trails
Number of Sites: 57
Location: 12 miles north of Anchorage and one mile south of the town of Eagle River
Fee: $20 a night per site
Maximum Stay: 4 days
Contact: 907-694-7982

​

Bird Creek Campground

Features: Fire pits, water, latrines, campground host, and overflow sites
Recreational Activities: Fishing, walking, whale watching
Number of Sites: 28
Location: about 20 miles southeast of Anchorage
Fee: $20 a night per site
Maximum Stay: 7 days
Contact: 907-269-8400

​

​

Campgrounds around Kenai Peninsula

​

Russian River Campground

Features: Fire rings and picnic tables at each campsite, latrines, playground, and lots of double campsites
Recreational Activities: Hiking (Anglers trail - 2.5 miles), fishing (coho, sockeye and pink salmon, rainbow trout - catch & release only - and dolly varden trout)
Number of Sites: 83
Location: Between the Kenai and Russian Rivers
Fee: $23 a night per site (standard nonelectric rate)
Maximum Stay: 3-4 nights
Contact: 907-288-3178 for general info, or make online reservation at recreation.gov

​

Trail River Campground

Features: Fire rings and picnic tables at each campsite, latrines, firewood available for a fee
Recreational Activities: Fishing for dolly varden and rainbow trout in Trail River or lake trout and grayling in Kenai Lake
Number of Sites: 72
Location: 20.6 miles north from Seward
Fee: $23 a night per site (tent or RV nonelectric); or $200 a night for group shelter (nonelectric)
Maximum Stay: 14 nights
Contact: 907-288-3178 for general info, or make online reservation at recreation.gov

 

Centennial Park Campground

Features: “Wilderness in the city,” including fire pits, picnic tables, restrooms, fish-cleaning stations, two boat launches, a pavilion, more than 650 feet of elevated boardwalk and 13 sets of river-access stair units will see you safely to the river’s edge
Recreational Activities: Boating, fishing (red and silver salmon)
Number of sites: 250+
Location: 349 Centennial Park Rd., Soldotna
Fee: $23-29
Contact: 907-262-3151
No reservations; first come, first served

​​

​

Campgrounds around Fairbanks

​

Harding Lake State Recreation Area

Features: Fire rings and picnic tables at each campsite as well as numerous other picnic sites, two picnic shelters, and a dump station
Recreational Activities: Baseball, volleyball, and horseshoes with equipment available at the ranger station as well as canoeing/boating, fishing, jet skiing, and hiking along nature trails
Number of Sites: 90
Location: 45 miles south of Fairbanks
Fee: $20 a night per site; $20 per vehicle
Maximum Stay: 15 days
Contact: 907-269-8400

​

Rosehip Campground

Features: Water, toilets and boat ramp
Recreational Activities: Boating, fishing, hiking, rock climbing, and 4-wheeling along a forest trail
Number of Sites: 37 campsites
Location: Mile 27 of the Chena Hot Springs Rd.
Fee: $20 a night per site
Maximum Stay: 15 days
Contact: 907-269-8400

​​

​

Campgrounds around Tok

​

Tok River Recreation Site

Features: Campground, picnic shelter, water, latrines, trail
Recreational Activities: Hiking and boating
Number of Sites: 27 campsites
Location: 4.5 miles east of Tok
Fee: $20 a night per site
Maximum Stay: 15 days
Contact: 907-505-0319

​​

Eagle Trail State Recreation Site

Features: Picnic shelter, water, latrines, nature trail
Recreational Activities: Mile-long nature trail and 2.5-mile hiking trail
Number of Sites: 35
Location: 16 miles south of Tok
Fee: $20 a night per site
Maximum Stay: 15 days
Contact: 907-269-8400

 

 

For a map of free camp sites throughout Alaska, check out: campendium.com/alaska/free-camping/map