The best waterside campgrounds in Alaska

Alaska is a bucket list trip for people around the globe thanks to some of the world's largest intact ecosystems and the chance to spot incredible wildlife. Here you'll find wild salmon runs filling the ocean bays and rivers where brown bears feast, plus giant moose roaming the big river valleys and mountains. While some incredible parts of Alaska are accessible by highways, many areas are so remote that road systems don't exist, meaning access is by bush flight, boat, or on foot. Camping in Alaska can mean everything from pitching tents on a riverbank or enjoying comfortable RV parks adjacent to wild areas.

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Top-rated campgrounds

1. Camp Gibraltar Alaskan Retreat

1 site · Lodging · Kokhanok, AK

Escape to Camp Gibraltar, a locally owned wilderness camp on the shores of Gibraltar Lake, just five miles south of Kokhanok Village in Southwest Alaska. Nestled at the headwaters of the Gibraltar River — one of the largest sockeye salmon runs in the world — this off-grid destination offers guests a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Alaska’s wild beauty, cultural heritage, and peaceful solitude. 🏕️ The Space Camp Gibraltar features three cozy weatherport cabins, each outfitted with twin beds and simple furnishings to comfortably sleep up to six guests total. A fully equipt kitchen, composting toilet, and a traditional wood-fired steam bath provide everything you need for comfort in the backcountry — all while keeping your stay eco-friendly and low-impact. Our camp is designed for guests who value authentic Alaskan living, breathtaking scenery, and meaningful connections with the land and community. 🌅 What You’ll See Wake up to crystal-clear views of Gibraltar Lake surrounded by tundra hills, alpine peaks, and endless sky. Watch for brown bears, moose, eagles, and caribou, or witness the incredible sight of sockeye salmon running through the lake and river in late summer. Every evening, the sunset reflects over the still waters — a perfect end to the day. 🎣 Things to Do Fishing: Cast your line for world-famous sockeye salmon or lake trout. Explore Nature: Hike, paddle, or simply relax lakeside while wildlife passes by. Cultural Experiences: Connect with the nearby Kokhanok community through guided tours and workshops highlighting Yup’ik and Dena'ina knowledge of plants, animals, trails and subsistence fishing. Relax & Recharge: Enjoy the wood-fired steam bath, cook local-inspired meals, or sit by the campfire under the northern sky. 🚙 Access Camp Gibraltar is accessible by floatplane or UTV/ATV from Kokhanok. We help coordinate travel so your journey into this pristine wilderness is safe, smooth, and unforgettable. 🌿 What to Expect This is an off-grid Alaskan adventure — rustic yet comfortable, remote yet welcoming. We’re a 100% locally owned operation, proud to share the land’s natural riches and the deep cultural roots of our community.

Alaska is a bucket list trip for people around the globe thanks to some of the world's largest intact ecosystems and the chance to spot incredible wildlife. Here you'll find wild salmon runs filling the ocean bays and rivers where brown bears feast, plus giant moose roaming the big river valleys and mountains. While some incredible parts of Alaska are accessible by highways, many areas are so remote that road systems don't exist, meaning access is by bush flight, boat, or on foot. Camping in Alaska can mean everything from pitching tents on a riverbank or enjoying comfortable RV parks adjacent to wild areas.

92% (821)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Camp Gibraltar Alaskan Retreat

1 site · Lodging · Kokhanok, AK

Escape to Camp Gibraltar, a locally owned wilderness camp on the shores of Gibraltar Lake, just five miles south of Kokhanok Village in Southwest Alaska. Nestled at the headwaters of the Gibraltar River — one of the largest sockeye salmon runs in the world — this off-grid destination offers guests a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Alaska’s wild beauty, cultural heritage, and peaceful solitude. 🏕️ The Space Camp Gibraltar features three cozy weatherport cabins, each outfitted with twin beds and simple furnishings to comfortably sleep up to six guests total. A fully equipt kitchen, composting toilet, and a traditional wood-fired steam bath provide everything you need for comfort in the backcountry — all while keeping your stay eco-friendly and low-impact. Our camp is designed for guests who value authentic Alaskan living, breathtaking scenery, and meaningful connections with the land and community. 🌅 What You’ll See Wake up to crystal-clear views of Gibraltar Lake surrounded by tundra hills, alpine peaks, and endless sky. Watch for brown bears, moose, eagles, and caribou, or witness the incredible sight of sockeye salmon running through the lake and river in late summer. Every evening, the sunset reflects over the still waters — a perfect end to the day. 🎣 Things to Do Fishing: Cast your line for world-famous sockeye salmon or lake trout. Explore Nature: Hike, paddle, or simply relax lakeside while wildlife passes by. Cultural Experiences: Connect with the nearby Kokhanok community through guided tours and workshops highlighting Yup’ik and Dena'ina knowledge of plants, animals, trails and subsistence fishing. Relax & Recharge: Enjoy the wood-fired steam bath, cook local-inspired meals, or sit by the campfire under the northern sky. 🚙 Access Camp Gibraltar is accessible by floatplane or UTV/ATV from Kokhanok. We help coordinate travel so your journey into this pristine wilderness is safe, smooth, and unforgettable. 🌿 What to Expect This is an off-grid Alaskan adventure — rustic yet comfortable, remote yet welcoming. We’re a 100% locally owned operation, proud to share the land’s natural riches and the deep cultural roots of our community.

Public campgrounds in Alaska

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Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

Kachemak Bay State Park and State Wilderness Park

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Kachemak Bay State Park and State Wilderness Park

Johnson Lake State Recreation Area

Cohoe, Alaska

Buskin River State Recreation Site

Port Lions, Alaska

Pasagshak River State Recreation Site

Chiniak, Alaska

Moon Lake State Recreation Site

Tanacross, Alaska

Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

Port Alsworth, Alaska

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best waterside camping in Alaska guide

Where to go

Bristol Bay

Bristol Bay is an expansive region with massive lakes, huge ocean bays and wild rivers. It’s known for abundant salmon runs that draw anglers and wildlife enthusiasts from around the world. Visit Katmai National Park and Preserve to watch bears catch salmon on Brooks Falls or fish for salmon and giant rainbow trout on the mighty Kvichak River. Lake Iliamna and the rivers in this area offer incredible fishing, sightseeing and boating.

Kenai Peninsula

Some areas in Alaska are road accessible, making them perfect for camping and exploring at your own pace. The Kenai Peninsula is one of those special places where you can experience the best of Alaska from RV sites and tent camping areas at private and public campgrounds in places like Soldotna. Go fishing on the mighty Kenai River for salmon and trout, take a cruise through the Kenai Fjords National Park, take a dog sledding tour or go hiking on the many miles of trails on this wild peninsula.

Southeast Alaska

The rugged Southeast coastline is dotted with small communities, many of which are isolated from any highway systems. Ketchikan and Juneau are two hubs to visit for access to the expansive Tongass National Forest. Prince of Wales Island has limited services but rental vehicles and island roads allow for access to go fishing and hunting in this remote area.

Denali National Park

Accessible by road system, Denali National Park leads many visitors to fly into Anchorage and rent a vehicle or RV to visit. The incredible peak is more than 20,000-feet high and the surrounding Alaska Range is absolutely stunning. If you want an unforgettable view, consider flightseeing tours to gain elevation and really get into the mountains. Moose and bear sightings are common and the trails offer a range of hiking options for visitors. This park is fantastic and is accessible for a wide range of budgets and camping styles.

Alaska is a two-season state where it’s either feeling like summer or winter. In summer, the days are long, leaving plenty of time to explore and very little darkness to help you sleep. The inverse is true during the winter months. The first snowfall, also called termination dust, typically arrives sometime in September and it coincides with rapid color changes and shorter days. Most visitors arrive during summer when the salmon are running and bush flights operate in places like Bristol Bay on regular flight schedules. Although summer is ideal for most campers, winter does have special events like dog sledding races and views of the northern lights.