Alaska's most beautiful Drive, the amazing Seward Highway is also a great destination
for campers too. This is a very good highway that leads through some of Alaska's most written
about territory. But what we're concerned about here is the campsites and their amenities between
Anchorage and Seward, the heart of Kenai Fjords National Park.
The Seward Highway has received designation as an All-American Road by the Federal
Highway Administration. The Seward Highway, Route. 1 from Anchorage to Tern Lake, and then Route.
9 from the Tern Lake junction with the Sterling Highway on down to Seward. The highway leaves
Anchorage on the 127-mile drive to Seward following the rocky edge of mountain peaks above a
surging ocean fjord. Abundant wildlife and unfolding views often slow cars. Later, the road
climbs through high mountain passes above the tree line, tracing sparkling alpine lakes. Alaska's
best trail hikes are here.
Seward Highway Campgrounds
Bird Creek Campground: mile
101.0 of the Seward Highway: About 20 miles southeast of Anchorage along Turnagain Arm you come
upon Bird Creek Campground. This is a popular camping and day use area with fishermen from Anchorage.
28 campsites, picnic area, fire pits, toilets, campground host. Excellent fishing is available
in the creek for pink and silver salmon, in season. Caution: the tidal
flats are extremely dangerous. Silt in Turnagain arm is like quick sand and once you get stuck
your chances of survival become very slim. Activities available include, Fishing, walking, sunsets
and whale watching.
Portage Glacier Road has a couple small campgrounds
available. The turn off for Portage Valley Road and the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center is located
approximately 50 miles south of Anchorage or 77 miles north of Seward on the New Seward Highway
#1. Turn onto Portage Valley Road and go approximately 5 miles to the end. Note: Portage Glacier
is no longer visible from the Visitor Center, due to its retreat, the face of the glacier is
still partially in Portage Lake and can be seen from a Portage Glacier Cruise.
Portage Valley Cabins and RV Park off of Portage Glacier Road near Whittier Alaska. The crew
from Alaska Campgrounds last visited this RV Park in 2015. Portage Valley Cabins and RV Park
355 Wyatt's Windy Rd. Portage, AK.
Black Bear Campground, Portage Glacier Road. This is a small forest service campground best
left to small RV's and tent campers. From Anchorage go 55 miles south on Seward highway to the
Portage Glacier Road turnoff located at milepost 78.9. The campground is located at mile 3.0
of the Portage Glacier Road.
Williwaw Campground Portage Glacier Road. From Anchorage go 55 miles south
on Seward highway to the Portage Glacier Road turnoff located at milepost 78.9. The campground
is located at mile 4.1 of the Portage Glacier Road. The turn-off is located just after the
rail road loading area and then across the bridge over the Portage River. Reservations must
be made at least 5 days in advance. Check for available campsites at Williwaw
Campground as
reservations are needed here.
Begich, Boggs Visitor Center: Built on the remnants of a terminal
moraine left by Portage Glacier, the Visitor Center is staffed with Forest Service interpreters
available to answer questions, assist with trip planning, and provide programs on the historical
and natural wonders of the valley.
The award-winning film, "Voices From the Ice" is shown hourly and provides a spectacular view
of many glaciers and wildlife. The visitor center currently houses exhibits demonstrating "glaciers
on the move" with insight into the retreat of Portage glacier.
Bertha Creek Campground along the Seward Highway is located in the mountains
of Turnagain Pass, this is a small semi secluded campground with 12 sites suitable for vehicle
camping and tents (no RV’s it's just to small and tight). Bertha Creek Campground is located
61.5 miles south of Anchorage along the Seward highway just past the Turnagain Pass summit.
No reservations are taken for the Bertha Creek Campground. There is a user pay station at the
entrance to the campground the current fee is $9 a night. The campground is located near Sixmile
creek, which provides Class V whitewater opportunities for rafts and kayaks.
Granite
Creek Campground along the Seward Highway is located 64 miles south of Anchorage along
the Seward highway. Granite Creek Campground has available 19 sites, most beside the creek,
suitable for RV’s, trailers and tents. Wildlife include black and brown bears, moose, mountain
goats, snowshoe hair, spruce grouse and ptarmigan. Goats can be seen on the peaks in the area.
Hunting is regulated, permits available. Fishing for small Dolly Varden is available in Granite
Creek near the campground. Campground is located near Sixmile creek, which provides Class V
whitewater opportunities for rafts and kayaks. There is a user pay station at the entrance to
the campground. The current fee is $9 a night for any unreserved sites. Reservations are accepted
at www.reserveusa.com
Tenderfoot Creek Campground located along the Seward Highway on the back side
of Summit Lake. Popular activities include fishing, canoeing, kayaking and hiking. Located approximately
81 miles south on Seward Highway on Summit Lake. Turn at milepost 46 beside Summit Lake Lodge.
This is a fun and popular family campground great for canoeing and hiking. Caution needs
to be exercised as bears do frequent the area. The campground renovation was recently completed
with new bathrooms, picnic tables and leveled and hard packed
campsites, new foot bridge over the creek plus the addition of bear proof storage too.
Ptarmigan Creek Campground 16
campsites, located approximately 100 miles south of Anchorage on Seward Highway near Crown Point.
Turn at approximately Milepost 23 into campground. Entrance from the highway is well marked -
Alaska State Parks Sign. Campground located in a wooded area with mountain views. Popular activities
include fishing for dolly and rainbow trout and day hiking to Ptarmigan Lake. Another bear area,
all food should be stored in your vehicle.
Trail River Campground is
located between the Trail River and Kenai Lake. Entrance is located approximately 100 miles south
of Anchorage on Seward Highway near Crown Point. Turn at Milepost 24.2 on Trail River Road for
2 miles to campground. Group site is available for reservations. This campground was been completely
redone in 2006 and we must say that the USFS did a fantastic job, this is a first class campground
with sites designed around your outdoor enjoyment. For more information about the park, please
call 907-522-8368.
Seward Waterfront Camping: There is loads of camping all along the waterfront
in Seward Alaska. The camping areas are operated by the city of Seward and it is very well maintained
and patrolled. Alcohol is prohibited in all parks in Seward Alaska.
As of 2016, the cost of camping
in Seward has been increased for their RV utility site fees increasing from $30 to $40 per night,
and RV dry site fees going up from $15 to $20 per night but is still a bargain as Seward is the
pinnacle in camping destination on the Kenai Peninsula.
Full Service Campgrounds in Seward Alaska!
Most of the camping opportunities along this highway are dry sites operated
by the State of Alaska or the National Park Service. Of the campgrounds offering 20, 30 and
50 amp hookups along with water and sewer, your options are limited but available. These full
service campgrounds are covered separately below.
Seward Military Resorts — 2305 Dimond Blvd, Seward, AK 99664 (907) 224-5559
NOTE: in 2013 the Seward Air Force Resort was closed due to federal budget cuts. The Army's
Resort next door is still operating at full capacity.
Stoney Creek RV Park — Box 1548 Seward, AK 99664 Toll Free Year Round 1-877-437-6366
Bear Creek RV Park — 33508 Lincoln St, Seward, AK 99664 (907) 224-5725
Millers Landing — 13890 Beach Drive, Seward, AK 99664 (907) 224-5739
Partial
Service Campgrounds
Forest Acres Campground is
located just 2 miles north of Seward and just off the Seward Highway on Hemlock Street. While
best suited for tent camping and smaller RV's, Forest Acres Campground is a great destination
with lots of fun family activities and a great atmosphere of the Alaskan Outdoors.
Spring Creek Campground off Nash Road is located on the shores of Resurrection
Bay across from Seward Alaska.