~ Alaska Campgrounds ~

Looking for rustic or relaxing? Well, Alaska has it both ways. During peak summer months, you'll need to be prepared in case the public campgrounds are filled but chances are you'll find a space.

Often they are located in beautiful settings near lakes and streams & are complete with outdoor toilets, tables, shelters. Well water, firepits and firewood are standard. Entrance fees or annual permits are required.

There are 121 park units and 2,500 camp sites available at various times of the year. Occasionally, you may find a site closed for maintenance. Alaska spends more than $5 million each year to operate & maintain the campsites for our use and during the last few years user fees have been charged to help cover the cost.

There are state parks and National Park campgrounds in Alaska and the fees vary depending on the location of the campground & whether it's state or national.

Privately owned and operated campgrounds are located in or near most towns, as well as along highways. Most provide electric, water, sewer hook-ups, restrooms and showers. Campgrounds—public and private—are listed and described in the Bell's Alaska Travel Guide highway logs and in a special “Camping” section you’ll find in most of the towns.

We highly recommend that you use either privately operated campgrounds or those run by the territorial government. Just pulling off the road, in many cases, is not safe because of bears. In the campgrounds garbage is taken care of and does not attract the bears, which is not the case in many unsupervised areas.

Do you have comments or experiences you'd like to add on this subject after your visit to Alaska? Drop me a note and I'll add it here if it seems appropriate.

Campgrounds ~ Costs ~ Fishing
Getting Married in Alaska ~ Glaciers
Northern Lights ~ Lodging ~ Roads
Weather ~ Whales ~ What to do ~ Where to go