Alaska is known to host many beautiful campgrounds with fishing, hiking, paddling, and wildlife watching that can best be experienced in the summer. If you consider camping in Alaska in the summer, here are the 5 best places to visit for a memorable experience.
1) Denali National Park
Denali National Park is home to wildlife including moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves, and grizzly bears! These animals are popularly known as “The Big 5.” Denali, 20,310 feet high, the park’s centerpiece, is the tallest mountain in North America. There is only one road through the park, and you can only access it by tour bus (or bike/hike). Various tour buses travel the road, with some narrating as they go. They make stops along the way and allow visitors to get off and explore or stop at one of the campgrounds along the 92-mile route. Be aware that this summer (2022), the road is closed at mile 42 due to an ongoing landslide, so there is no access past that point. There are 6 campgrounds to choose including one at the park entrance with lots of amenities for RVs and tent campers. Definitely one of the best places to camp in Alaska this summer!
2) Kodiak Island National Wildlife Refuge: Buskin River State Recreation Site
Kodiak Island is an island off the southern shore of Alaska, just across the Katmai National Park and Preserve. Kodiak Island is known for its amazing Kodiak bears. You can schedule a guided tour or obtain a bear-viewing permit to try to locate them on your own. The several bear-viewing areas available are the safest way to watch, including the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. Can you imagine coming across 20 massive Kodiak bears fishing for salmon? It is a site you might be lucky enough to see. This site is also home to a large population of Stellar Sea Lions. You might be able to see some on Near Island, at the St. Herman Boat Harbor. To get to Kodiak Island, you must take a Ferry, plane, or boat taxi. Once on the island, you can camp at Buskin River State Recreation Site. They have 50 sites for RV or Tent and are located right on the Buskin River. A great place to stay while you explore the island!
3) Glacier Bay National Park: Bartlett Cove Campground
Visiting Glacier Bay National Park is an amazing opportunity. You will need to fly in or arrive by boat. You can camp right along the shore at the Barlett Cove Campground. They maintain a walk-in campground “in a scenic rainforest setting along the shore,” according to the NPS website. Don’t be confused by the term rainforest, as it also applies to cool, wet forests along the shoreline. The average temperature in the summer is between 50°F and 60°F. The campsites are a ¼-mile hike from the Visitor Information Center and have composting toilets, bear-proof storage caches, and a small warming shelter. There is also a fire pit on the beach. What a nice way to spend the evening sharing s’mores overlooking the Pacific Ocean!
4) Anchorage: Eagle River Campground
If you want to have a mix of city and country life, staying at the Eagle River Campground, just outside of Anchorage, will give you access to both. You can spend the day exploring the 11-mile Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, stop by Kincaid Park to maybe see an enormous moose, or enjoy fresh salmon at any one of the many downtown seafood restaurants. Back at the campground, you can enjoy frying up some salmon you bought in town or relaxing by the fire. Another one of the best places to camp in Alaska this summer!
5) Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (Bear Sighting Trips, Salmon Fishing in the Lake)
One of the lesser-known national parks is Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. This park is perfect for seeing bears (from a safe distance) and salmon fishing! Maybe you could catch a record-breaking salmon like Chuck Leach, who caught a 12-pound salmon in 1974 on the Kenai River. Lake Clark is one of the largest lakes in Alaska, so there is plenty of room to explore! There is primitive camping at Hope Creek, located on Upper Twin Lake just west of the Proenneke Historic Site. There are also 2 public use cabins. The cabins are on the shore and accessible by boat or water taxi. A beautiful place to enjoy the lake in the summer!
