Alaska Campgrounds
 

We are renting an RV for a week long trip after our cruise-- will need to find great campgrounds in Anchorage, Denali area, and then on the Kenai pennisula like in Homer or Seward or any other nice ones in that general vicinity--can you give us some suggestions??

There was a lovely tree-studded one just outside Anchorage with a lodge and showers, etc. Across the road from the Heritage Center. I just heard that they have sold it to developers. Aaargh.

We stayed our first night at one called Ship Creek Landing, which was not great, but we could walk into the city. Try googling.

In Seward, the city allows you, for a small fee, to camp right on the beach. I do not remember whether there were hookups, but there were showers.

In Homer, you can park on the strand, but I do not recommend it. Not very clean and party time-party time. We paid a little and stayed just at the north edge of town at Oceanview RV Park. Spaces on a large lawn sloping down to the water with trees. Showers, laundromat, small convenience store/gift shop. At Denali we stay at Riley Creek Campground, which is within walking distance of the Visitor Center. Must make reservations ahead of time. Also for the shuttle which takes you out into the park. Use the park shuttles, don't pay for a private tour. The drivers of the park shuttles have been doing this forever and are full of knowledge. Also, if you want to get out and hike for awhile, they will let you off and you can catch another shuttle when you are ready.

Otherwisse, we found State Parks as we drove along. (Our trip was three weeks.)

I would suggest that if you do not already have one you get a copy of the "Milepost", which is essential for its maps and information on what is on the roads, mile by mile. They will have info on public campgrounds. You can order this online.

Have a great trip.

thanks jtrandolph for the good suggestions--what is the difference in the Riley Creek versus the Tek campground farther in???

bornintheusa,

Sorry, I don't know the Tek campground. Riley was recommended to us by an Alaskan on another forum. It's set in trees and is nice to be able to walk to the visitotr's center and the sled dog demonstrations. But.....maybe someone who knows Tek can chime ih.

We're hoping to RV in Alaska in Sept. We've had several recommendations to stay at Montana Creek Campground (2 hrs N of Anchorage at Mile 96.5). Not sure if that will fit your travel agenda, but this campground also gets special mention in some travel books. For what it's worth, do you know if there's a problem with a 22' RV traveling the gravel section of Hatcher's Pass?

Steve

We stayed twice at the Eagle River State Park campground just a few miles outside ANchorage. It was convienient and nice. We also stayed at the Denali STATE Park campgeround which we also liked.

The Sewerd City Waterfront RV parking is a gravel parking lot right on the water. Some sites, if I remember correctly those closest to the showers, have w/e. It is (or at least 3 years ago was) first come first served. Be sure your RV has folding chairs, if not rent them, as the view of the water and wildlife,is AMAZING.

In Homer there is an old, simple but clean, campground at the end of the spit called Homer Spit Campground.You can walk to the Land's End Resturant next door, and depending on what time of year you are going, you will have a front row seat to all the bald eagles that play on the beach. If you have time take a guided kayak trip to a cove accross the bay. Sea Otters played with our kayaks making it one of the most amazing events of our trip.

A handy site you may want ot explore for other rv park options is rvparkreviews.com.

Alaska is eye-poppingly beautiful - have fun!

BIGTYKE--where in Denali did you stay-- not really wanting to be right by the road at Riley so was thinking the next one in which is Savage??? are there showers in Denali at all???

Oh, forgot to tell you. If you plan to cook your meals in your RV while you are at Denali, be sure you have all the food on board. Near the Park there seem to be only convenience stores.

I recommend you purchase this book: Traveler's Guide to Alaskan Camping. It is available via the web. We used the recommendations of the authors which were true to they recommendations. We stayed in the Savage River Campground in Denali. Made the trip thru the park shorter but seats were limited. Shower room at the Riley Creek campground. Since you will have a RV, why not shower in it.

I forgot to mention, we purchased our tickets to the park via the web as well as our camping spot. My personal favorite campground was the Quartz Creek campground in Cooper Landing. Kenai Lake was beautiful and the RV lots are large & level. Stock up on groceries & drinking water in Anchorage before you leave the city as supplies become limited once you leave the city. Always remember 10 mpg so you can plan you fuel supply. Something else that becomes a limited supply once you leave the city. Don't be sicker shocked when you see your first fuel cost, just be thankful you got fuel.

Quart Creek Campground looks like a very nice place. This is not a private campground, correct?

Steve

Quartz creek is a Federal campground. You can find good info on this website: http://www.recreation.gov. We stayed in a lot along the lake. We chose our lot by the length of the lot. Be courteous by running your generator early morning or around dinner hour. You will notice that is what the locals do. Taht way you will have enough power for the coffemaker.

bornintheusa--you asked about Savage River and Teklanika in Denali. Both have flush toilets but no showers. Teklanika has a 3-night minimum for RV's (and you can't drive back and forth to get supplies, etc.):

http://www.denali.national-park.com/camping.htm

Unless things have changed, you can park your motorhome anywhere alongside the highway where you can get 10 feet or more off the pavement if it isn't signed No Camping. Lots of people do. They even have "T's" where you can drive a few more yards off the highway and park on a piece of the old highway. If you get tired and jsut need a few hours rest, this works well.