I have just learned that I will have 10 days in July (yes, I know, this is THE month to go to Alaska, but this just opened up on my schedule) to visit and planned to go solo, rent a car and tent camp (have lots of good gear) in the Chugagh and/or Kenai areas. Would like to get off the beaten path by car (i.e. I do not want to backpack in but don't mind carrying things in a bit ) and don't mind being in remote areas but also thought of seeing Seward and Homer.

Do I need camping reservations? Is this a nutty idea in July? Will it be too crowded in the Kenai peninsula? I am getting different impressions the more I read! (Would prefer tent camping/cabins because this is my week to get outside rather than hotels/resorts)

A few years ago when we were staying in Kenai, we checked at Captain Cook State Recreational Area. It was late June and no one was camping. This might be as remote as you want to get. We didn't see anyone camping mid-week. Here's a link
http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/asp/unitfees.htm
The town of Kenai is about mid-way between Seward and Homer. About 1 1/2-2 hours to each.
Crowded may depend on what's going on. The Russian River ferry area was empty of cars before the salmon started running. Then parking spaces were scarce. We were in Kenai for the 4th of July parade so of course it was crowded. But we drove twice to Homer and saw very little traffic. We got reservations for a Kenai Fjords boat trip the day before we wanted to go (mid-week) and the boat was half empty. I got the impression that areas where there is good clamming are very busy during clamming tides (google for July dates) with locals. The shorefront RV spots were all full when we watched net fishermen. The one we spoke to worked on the slope so he fished for salmon during his two weeks off.
If you want to be guaranteed a reservation, it looks like a private campground is best.

Thanks dfrostnh. What I would really love to do is just fly to ANC, rent a car and set out to find my way around for 10 days or so. I have taken a lot of trips recently that have needed to be tightly scripted with a precise itinerary, reservations for each night etc. and I would love to just wing it, but I realize I am going (to coordinate with DH's schedule) at peak season.

Thanks for link and advice about the popularity of clamming. Grateful for any thoughts and experience from others about that time of year. Don't mind private campgrounds; mostly would like some flexibility.

Would like to get off the beaten path by car (i.e. I do not want to backpack in but don't mind carrying things in a bit ) and don't mind being in remote areas ... (Would prefer tent camping/cabins

Might also consider the canoe trails, which will get you into remote areas without backpacking. You need to be bear savvy camping anywhere in the Kenai but especially so if canoe camping alone.

Here's some info on rentals, shuttles etc: http://www.alaskacanoetrips.com/Kenaicanoesystem.html

Will it be too crowded in the Kenai peninsula?

I've always been there later in the summer but my impression is that the best fishing areas are extremely crowded with anglers and campers (fishing for trophy King salmon on the Kenai river comes to mind), but the other areas aren't nearly so crowded, especially mid-week when the people from Anchorage are working.

If you can spring for about $600 in airfare then I'd suggest flying into Brooks camp in Katmai National Park and camping there for a while. This is a famous bear viewing area and it's very safe to camp here (and cheap), though there are a couple hundred people each day early in July when bear viewing is at its best as the bears catch salmon at the falls.

Thank you Bill_H! I will be solo on this trip, and I and the DH are doing a Boundary Waters canoe trip in August so I think camping will be the ticket for me. Had planned to spend $600 to get there (is there any cheaper way from SFO??) so am fascinated by the Brooks Camp idea and will check it out!

Ah, I loved our canoe trip to Boundary Waters, that's what made me think of the Kenai canoe areas.

Had planned to spend $600 to get there

Sorry but it's going to cost roughly $600 from Anchorage, usually a commercial flight to King Salmon, then a short float plane flight to Brooks (this leg is $188 in 2010). But you won't be paying for a rental car the days you are at Brooks, and it only costs $8/night to camp.

Here's the NPS site for Brooks camping: http://www.nps.gov/katm/planyourvisit/plyovicamp.htm

Got it. What about the ferry from Homer? Have you ever done that? (not so much to save money but to see more of the state...)