The best camping near Hatcher Pass Management Area

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Hatcher Pass adventure.

100% (2 reviews)

Discover Hatcher Pass's scenic vistas and outdoor adventures.

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Community favorites near Hatcher Pass Management Area

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Hatcher Pass Management Area

Government Peak Campground

8 sites · RVs, Tents In Hatcher Pass Management Area

Gold Mint Trailhead

10 sites · RVs, Tents In Hatcher Pass Management Area

from

$15

/ night

Top-rated campgrounds near Hatcher Pass Management Area

Booked 2 times

tomodachi

20 sites · RVs, Tents3 acres · Palmer, AK

3 acres of beautiful land with a peak at the mountains through the trees:) We are at the base of Hatcher Pass. Available are 8 RV spots and 12 tent spots! Just a 20 minute drive up the mountain straight to independence mine! The Little Susitna River winds it's way up the mountain and you can hear it as it runs its way through the mountains.

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(1)

The Wilds

3 sites · Lodging200 acres · Fishhook, AK

Our off-grid property is situated on 200 private acres of beautiful Alaskan land. We have five miles of trails right out your cabin door and beautiful views of the Susitna River throughout. The Talkeetna Mountains serve as an incredible backdrop to it all. We live on the property, as do our array of animals. We have a family of geese and chickens who will welcome you with open wings, as well as two dogs and three cats. We operate off of solar and generated power and while the cabins do have limited electricity, we ask that you We are located just 55 miles from the Anchorage Airport, 12 miles from downtown Palmer and 14 miles from downtown Wasilla. Best of all, were just 2.8 miles from Government Peak Recreation Area and 10 miles from Hatcher Pass, so if it's adventure you're looking for, you're in luck! If you’re looking for a fun day trip, we’re just an hour and a half from Talkeetna and 3.5 hours from Denali. We've named our property The Wilds because it is wild! A large portion of our land is protected by a conservation easement, so it can never be developed. We cherish that responsibility and are excited to share the rawness of this land with you!

97%

(31)

Lulu's Glamping on the Knik River

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents3 acres · Palmer, AK

Reconnect with nature at this unforgettable escape. Located on the river's edge of the Knik River in Palmer, Alaska, our glamping tents offer a unique experience. Unplug, unwind and kickback in our Stout canvas style bell tents. Each tent is stylishly outfitted with a queen size bed, linens, rugs, stylish decor and other amenities. You also will have your own smokeless Solo Stove with seating for two outside your tent. Only 45 minutes north of Anchorage, our location boasts incredible views with access to all things outdoor! There are shared porta toilets with foot pump sinks with soap for hand washing on site. There is one on demand outdoor shower! We have an outdoor kitchen with a BBQ grill, pots, pans, dishes, silverware, salt, pepper and other items for guest use. Half of the property is an adult glamping experience. Half of the property allows children, as long as you understand that we are located right on the river and children should be supervised. Our property is the perfect basecamp with easy access to hiking for all abilities; Bodenburg Butte, Lazy Mountain, Pioneer Peek and Pioneer Falls. Located right on the Knik River we can help you plan a day of fishing, kayaking or riverboat touring. Other local activities include ATV rentals, glacier helicopter tours, exploring the town of Palmer, the Alaska State Fair, a trip to the Reindeer Farm, Independence Mine State Historical Park, the Musk Ox Farm, horseback riding, touring our breweries, enjoying the local golf course, sled dog tours and so much more! Although we love pets, in order to keep tents clean and odor fee, pets are not allowed without permission. No smoking 🚭 Check in 4pm Check out 11am We ask that shoes be removed before enter the tent.

93%

(15)

North 40

5 sites · RVs, Tents11 acres · Sutton, AK

Camp right on the banks of the Matanuska river while staring at the magnificent King Mountain, Sentinel mountain, and Craig Mountain! Over 10 acres to pick a spot to pitch your tent or park your RV! The sites are first come fist serve. Kids will love playing in the shallow river streams and sandbars, rock hounding is great and dogs are welcome but please be a responsible dog owner and clean up after them. Come enjoy some peace and serenity at North 40!

Booked 1 time

Landvaettir Farm

1 site · RV, Tent22 acres · Lazy Mountain, AK

Easily accessed off the Glenn Highway 10 miles from Palmer and an hour from Anchorage. We have 22 acres and plenty of space to camp. There is an outhouse for campers and we have a well for water. There is access to a hot propane outdoor shower as well. We are close to hiking including Eska Mountain falls and Granite Peak (almost 7000 ft). We are a developing organic farm and currently have pigs and goats. The farm has views of the Talkeetna and Chugach mountains.

96%

(170)

Pinochle Trail Campground

9 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Sutton Alpine, AK

Flat, gravel spaces at Pinochle Trailhead in Glacier View, Alaska. Great hiking, biking, ATV or snow machine on historic trail. Tents, trucks, cars, campers, RVs, dogsleds .... whatever you can fit is welcome. 8 spaces with tables and fire rings. There is also an "Open Camping Area" in back that larger groups may like. Although a number may be assigned at booking, just pick the best available camp space that works for you on arrivial. You'll need to bring your own water and keep a clean camp. Pinochle Trail goes north into the backcountry for around 12 miles and joins other trails. Pinochle trail is a section of the ancient Knik - Nelchina Trail used by natives, trappers, miners and hunters for eons. It traverses the natural route from the Matanuska Valley up and over the mountain range into Copper River country. Hicks was one of the early guides who had a cabin at Hicks Creek and served with U.S. Army Lieutenant Joseph Castner to brushwack a trail northwest for Captain Glenn in 1898. Described in his journal as at "Tale of Hardship and Suffering" they ended up eating their mules and shoes before reaching their goal far to the north. Today we use these trails with relative ease compared to the old timers but the scenery and mud holes remind us of what they went through.

100%

(2)

The Dutch Hideaway

1 site · RV1 acre · Wasilla, AK

We moved to Alaska in 2020 and fell in love with the Palmer area. As a family, we felt that being in the countryside was the best place to raise our children, which is why we chose this property. After a friend of ours parked her camper here for a few weeks, we decided to try renting out the spot to others visiting Alaska. 2022 is our first year hosting this site. We are a young family always looking for ways to earn some extra income. We are a family-friendly property. Our property's location is between Palmer and Wasilla Alaska. We are in a quiet neighborhood within a mile of four separate lakes. Finger Lake State Park is close by and is the starting point for the 7-mile canoe trail that takes you through a number of lakes and streams in the area. We are 20 miles from the top of Hatchers Pass/ Independence Mine State recreation area where you can pan for gold and go on many different hikes. This property has the best of being close to the city but is still far enough away to feel like you are deeper in the woods than you are.

80%

(5)

Clean Forest type camping

40 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Wasilla, AK

Learn more about this land:Family friendly our campground is called houston grass station campground and is located right next to the alaska railroad watch it go by wile you camp see you here thanks

100%

(4)

Sunderland Ranch Farm Stay

2 sites · LodgingPalmer, AK

Legacy family land! Learn more about this land:Pitch a tent here at the Sunderland Ranch. We often have guests staying here or playing here for other events, but are happy to have you too! This will be as quiet or as experiential as you would like. You can schedule a trail ride or farm tour with our staff/family, or get out and walk the trails or around the ranch and enjoy Alaska at its best.

Sled Dogs & Gold Mining

3 sites · RVs, Tents43 acres · Talkeetna, AK

Your campsite (RV or tent) will be nestled in between birch trees and you’ll be lulled to sleep by the howls of sled dogs and the dream of striking it rich. Campsite includes a 2 Hour Historical Mushing and Mining Tour at 10am the following day where you will meet a few of our 44 sled dogs, who we call “Rock Stars” and learn about Mushing, the state sport of Alaska, from a family of Mushers. You will also learn about past mining in the area and pan for your own gold, and keep what you find. Lush green ferns grow beside a quiet creek where a nature path winds through the woods, amongst berry bushes, that you can walk on. There is a communal bonfire depending on weather conditions, provided by the host. New outhouses will be constructed before the opening of June camping, We still have a lot of snow currently and more photos will be taken once it melts. This is an authentic Alaskan experience that may have you wanting to come back in the winter to go mushing with us!

Jim Creek Blank Land

30 sites · RVs13 acres · Palmer, AK

This is blank land in the Buette area of Palmer, Alaska. No signs except for the address sign. Make your own spot. No amenities. Please take your own trash out. Enjoy your stay for just $10 a night. Near Jim Creek. Great fishing. A lot of trails for 4X4s and riding ATVs. Come park your car, camper, RV etc and enjoy Alaskan life at Jim Creek Blank land.

Little Valhalla

1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Houston, AK

The property is just under an acre and right across the street from Prator Lake. Winter months offer ice fishing and snowmobiling and summer months offer boating, fishing and swimming. Hiking trails and more lakes nearby. Plenty of wildlife watching too! There is plenty of room for RV parking and/or camping and room for a campfire. We have power, Wi-Fi and offer trash pick up. There is a small cabin on the property that is not currently being used or for rent.

The best camping near Hatcher Pass Management Area guide

Overview

About

What is a “management area,” exactly? Well, it’s a mix of a whole bunch of stuff, like privately owned land and state land. So, Hatcher Pass isn’t a full-fledged state park, but there’s so much to do out here regardless of the area’s “official” status. The mountainous terrain has more than 30 lofty summits and glaciers, and it allows for all of the usual outdoor fun: hiking, camping, mountain biking, and horseback riding. But, there’s so much more to this beautiful place. You can go prospecting for gold or venture out for some blueberry picking in August and fill your bucket to the brim…and those are only two examples of what awaits you! The best part just might be the location, though—it’s less than an hour and a half away from Anchorage.

When to go

The best time to visit Hatcher Pass Management Area is during the summer months, from June to early September, when the wildflowers are in bloom and the trails are most accessible. Winter brings a snowy wonderland, ideal for skiing and snowboarding, but be prepared for road closures and extreme weather conditions.

Know before you go

Check the weather forecast and road conditions before your trip, as Hatcher Pass can experience sudden changes in weather.
Be aware of wildlife in the area and store food securely to avoid attracting bears.
Some trails may be challenging; ensure you have the proper gear and are aware of your limits.
Cell service can be limited, so plan accordingly and inform someone of your travel plans.
Respect the natural environment by following Leave No Trace principles and disposing of waste properly.