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.

Popular ways to camp

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

At the end of the trail and up the left mountain side is Gold Mint Hut. A perfect getaway!

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(2)

Gold Mint Trailhead

10 sites · RVs, Tents In Hatcher Pass Management Area

from

$15

/ night

Government Peak Campground

8 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.

93%

(15)

North 40 Stays

5 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Sutton, AK

Camp right on the banks of the Matanuska river while staring at the magnificent King Mountain, Pinnacle mountain, and Craig Mountain! Over 10 acres with only 5 camp sites! Close to Kings river and some of the best ATV trails in the State! The Matanuska river offers some of the best rock hounding in the area and when the river is low, kids love playing in the shallow river streams and sandbars! This is an adult, kids and dogs dream play area! Come relax and get away from the busyness of life!!

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.

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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!

96%

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Saved 4 times

A Place in the Woods; Close 2 town!

1 site · Lodging1 acres · Tanaina, AK

Learn more about this land:In the Woods, 2-5 minutes from “town” (but “miles” from the city lights!) Enjoy “the adventure of camping out in the woods” without having to pay for a crowded “RV park site, have to set up, level camper, connect water, propane, waste waters, etc. (Yuck!) Just relax, read, or start a camp fire 🔥, use the gas BBQ, watch birds, squirrels, the local Moose! This unique “Retro 1960s” Experience, is camping, at it’s best! Our VINTAGE, classic ‘nearly-restored’ 1968 “Allah’s Choice Travel Camper Trailer” is all set up, for your immediate use on arrival w/full hookups, WiFi, easy Parking, on our Pvt. One-Acre Property, & just 2+ miles from WASILLA w/ restaurants, stores, and more. The adjacent property is over 25+ acres of Natural Forest with an abundance of all the flora & fauna so common in Alaska! It’s our “Stay-Cation-Escape” (not how we used to ‘go camping’,) we now share how to avoid paying nightly rent for “hookups”, set up 5-10’ away from ‘too many people’ crowded into their huge “Homes on Wheels!.” We SHARE our “Little Travel Trailer, set it up on our property for you to enjoy. Come on out to adventure, sans the hassle! Call for more info!

Saved 4 times

Private RV in the Woods of WASILLA!

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Wasilla, AK

Learn more about this land:“Cute little CAMPER” set up on 1+ Acre residential lot, just outside the city limits, primarily forest, with an additional 25+ natural Forest adjacent to our land/property; (the owner is a neighbor and a friend) This “Glamping Vintage Aladdin Allah's Choice" Camper 'Travel Trailer' is fully installed with a deck, awning, WiFi, and full hookups as well, on the "back 1/3 Acre of our property looking at the adjacent 25+ Acres to the rear and a brilliant view of trees, flora and fauna, and not so distant Talkeetna Mountain Range.

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BlueWater BaseCamp: Deluxe Cabins

8 sites · Lodging5 acres · Chugiak, AK

Welcome to BlueWater BaseCamp! BlueWater BaseCamp is a haven for those who seek solace and rejuvenation in nature without venturing far from the city. Nestled in the scenic Eklutna Valley, BWBC is a boutique hotel and event venue catering to independent travelers, locals, groups of up to 22 people, and events with up to 75 attendees. Accommodations: Our Deluxe Micro Cabins offer an intimate Alaskan experience, perfectly suited for two. Each cabin features a cozy living room with a petite couch, chair, and Murphy table. The kitchenette is fully equipped with silverware, pots and pans, culinary tools, basic spices, Keurig coffee maker, stove top, microwave, and mini fridge. The bathrooms include shower, toilet, sink and some have soaking tubs. The bedrooms boast queen beds with closet space and some cabins have a loft for unwinding with a good book. For those seeking a soaking tub experience, Ranger's Roost and Bashful Peak Cabins have the added luxury of a relaxing tub. Our larger cabins, designed for groups of 4-5, offer a fully handicap-accessible first floor. The spacious cabins feature a full kitchen equipped with a mid-sized fridge, stove, oven, microwave, and a dining table for 4. The bathroom is generously sized, featuring a roll-in, zero-threshold shower, roll-under sink, and appropriately placed grab bars around the shower and toilet. The main floor bedroom hosts a queen-size bed with a 4′ turning radius, while the upstairs area provides two twin beds or a queen bed for the rest of your party. An additional pullout couch is available if needed. Immersed in the tranquility of the surrounding woods, our deluxe cabins serve as the perfect retreat to rest, rejuvenate, and explore the Eklutna Valley and beyond. Book Now to reserve your private getaway!

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.