The best forest campgrounds near Nikiski, Alaska

In Nikiski, camping in the forest means crisp air, thick stands of spruce, and good odds you’ll spot a moose before breakfast. With over 240 forest campsites, you can set up among mossy trunks or along quiet inlets for as little as $25 a night—average sits at $70. Most sites allow campfires and pets, and you’ll find toilets at many spots, so you can focus on hiking, swimming, or keeping an eye out for wildlife. Locals swear by Magical Camping Ocean, Volcano Views (18 reviews) for its panoramic scenery, or check out Albatross Campground RESERVATIONS (13 reviews) and Evenson Heritage Lodge in Kenai (5 reviews) if you like your forest stays close to river bends and trails. Pack layers—it gets chilly at night, even in summer.

97% (57)

Top-rated campgrounds

In Nikiski, camping in the forest means crisp air, thick stands of spruce, and good odds you’ll spot a moose before breakfast. With over 240 forest campsites, you can set up among mossy trunks or along quiet inlets for as little as $25 a night—average sits at $70. Most sites allow campfires and pets, and you’ll find toilets at many spots, so you can focus on hiking, swimming, or keeping an eye out for wildlife. Locals swear by Magical Camping Ocean, Volcano Views (18 reviews) for its panoramic scenery, or check out Albatross Campground RESERVATIONS (13 reviews) and Evenson Heritage Lodge in Kenai (5 reviews) if you like your forest stays close to river bends and trails. Pack layers—it gets chilly at night, even in summer.

97% (57)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Albatross Campground RESERVATIONS

94%

(24)

15mi from Nikiski · 17 sites · Tents, RVs · Kenai, AK

Discover tranquility at our campground, boasting serene surroundings and offering full hookup RV sites, as well as tent sites. Immerse yourself in the convenience of our amenities, including a laundry room and outdoor kitchen area. Additionally, we provide all the essential facilities for processing and preserving your catch, such as freezers, cleaning tables, vacuum sealers, community fire pit, outdoor kitchen, and a smokehouse. Experience a seamless blend of comfort and nature at our peaceful retreat. Pricing: Cleaning table free (first come first served) Fire wood $5/bundle Showers closed for maintenance. Laundry (quarters required) $4/load Vacuum sealing $1/bag Freezing $1 per pound per day 50 fish smokehouse $20/12hrs Parking for extra vehicles $20/day (no camping/sleeping in parking spots) Cancel booking 24hrs in advance of stay for 100% refund.

2. Evenson Heritage Lodge in Kenai

96%

(12)

2mi from Nikiski · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Nikiski, AK

This is a lakeside spot for RV or tent camping (bring your own RV or camping gear). There is a picnic table and a fire pit. Water and solar power are available. When camping there, the private area of surrounding wilderness is about 5 acres. The cleared camp site is 45x75 feet. The property in it's entirety is about 150 acres shared with a lodge and a couple of other sites separated by wilderness and having two lakes. This site has direct access to Marie Lake which is suitable for swimming and play. Renters of the campsite will be given access to Bishop Lake, which can be fished for trout when open and your motorcraft can be used.

3. Moose Crossing RV & Food Truck Park

100%

(2)

21mi from Nikiski · 29 sites · Tents, RVs · Sterling, AK

Located in beautiful Sterling Alaska and within walking distance to the confluence of the Moose and Kenai River. Famous for world class salmon fishing. This unique property includes a food truck park on site! Only 15 minutes from Downtown Soldotna and 30 minutes from the best hiking on the Kenai Peninsula. Clean restrooms, wifi, full service RV hookups, and tent camping, it's fun for the whole family! We cannot wait to meet you. In addition there is a communal fire pit area and a small trail on the property. Laundry is available on the property for a small fee. Access to the showers and restrooms is included.

4. Mackey Lake RV And Cabins

15mi from Nikiski · 3 sites · RVs · Soldotna, AK

I have 3 spots available - No hook ups. Just a spot. Located kitty corner to Talon Air. 2 Acre lot with a home. RV spots are located in the front of the property. Easy in and out. Has a wrap around Driveway. I have 3 spots, 1 -34 ft RV and 2 - 24 ft RV spots. Just 3 miles from Fred Meyer and 4 miles from the Kenai River. Talon air bear and fishing trips easy to walk to accross the street.

5. Magical Camping Ocean,Volcano Views

96%

(38)

37mi from Nikiski · 2 sites · Tents · Clam Gulch, AK

Learn more about this land: This Clam Gulch 5.5 acre property offers Bluff tent camping in two locations: Campsite 1 The Meadows, a very large meadow overlooking Cook Inlet and Campsite 3 The Sweet Spot, a secluded meadow with an unbelieveable view of Cook Inlet and Mount Redoubt . Wake up and watch the surf roll in from 200' up. The only thing you will hear is birds and surf. The Site 1 The Meadows, is a very large meadow which is kept mowed. It is accessed by foot on a loop trail from the parking area (the Moose Trail) or from parking near the Pink Shed. It is close to the outdoor table and gazebo allowed for guest use. This site can accomodate three tents. Site 3 The Sweet Spot is the newest campsite. It is also accessed by the Moose Trail, and has an unbelievable view of Cook Inlet and Mount Redoubt. Have coffee and watch the sun rise. It is about 100 yards from the parking area Trails to the meadows are maintained and marked. Campers may use the gazebo, picnic table, swing, charcoal barbecue, and the granite table located on the Bluff near the Owner's cabin, next to the gazebo. Vehicles must park in designated campsite parking areas, and campers take the short walk to Site 1 or Site 3 camping meadows. There is a Porta-Potty Near the Bluff Cabin. There is also a first aid kit. Campers please bring your own water. We recommend 8 gallons for two days. Closest potable free water for refills is Rocky's in Kasilof. Volcano and ocean views to die for! This is approximately 3.5 hours from Anchorage. Clam Gulch Beach is 4 miles, Deep Creek Beach and Ninilchik Beach is 14 miles. Anchor Point and Homer are less than an hour's drive.

6. Mossy Forest Camp

100%

(6)

20mi from Nikiski · 1 site · Tent · Sterling, AK

Campsite all to yourself surrounded by spruce and birch. Only one site. Private, peaceful & secluded. Nice place to stay that's not like a parking lot. Centrally located for exploring the peninsula. Nearby river access and outdoor recreation. Easy trip to town without having to stay in town. Just up the road from a brewery with weekend entertainment and a food truck.

Public campgrounds near Nikiski

Johnson Lake Campground

30mi from Nikiski · 48 sites · Tents, RVs · in Johnson Lake State Recreation Area

Ninilchik River Campground

36mi from Nikiski · 39 sites · Tents, RVs · in Ninilchik State Recreation Area

100%

(26)

Russian River Campground

46mi from Nikiski · 80 sites · Tents, RVs · in Chugach National Forest

West Swan Lake Cabin

46mi from Nikiski · 1 site · in Chugach National Forest

100%

(1)

Trout Lake Cabin

46mi from Nikiski · 1 site · in Chugach National Forest

100%

(1)

Barber Cabin

47mi from Nikiski · 1 site · in Chugach National Forest

Romig Cabin

47mi from Nikiski · 1 site · in Chugach National Forest

Checking out Juneau Falls on the way to the cabin

100%

(1)

Juneau Lake Cabin

47mi from Nikiski · 1 site · in Chugach National Forest

Swan Lake Cabin Seward

47mi from Nikiski · 1 site · in Chugach National Forest

100%

(1)

Cooper Creek Campground

48mi from Nikiski · 21 sites · Tents, RVs · in Chugach National Forest

Ninilchik Scenic Overlook

49mi from Nikiski · 9 sites · Tents, RVs · in Ninilchik State Recreation Area

Aspen Flats Cabin

49mi from Nikiski · 1 site · in Chugach National Forest

Stories from the community

P

Peter

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Mossy Forest Camp

Site was as described. Great location to use as a base camp with a brewery and laundry mat within a mile.

Thompson

August 2025

Tent

2 nights at Magical Camping Ocean,Volcano Views

The Sweet Spot was amazing! Serena was very communicative and the site was lovely. Would recommend it to anyone looking for a beautiful and quiet spot for the night.

O

Ori-Michael

August 2025

32 ft Class A

With kids

1 night at Moose Crossing RV & Food Truck Park

Easy check in system. Great WiFi. Good amenities. Nice to have a coffee and food truck on site. Friendly staff!

B

Bikky

August 2025

20 ft travel trailer

With kids

Weekend Trip to Albatross Campground RESERVATIONS

Nice full hook up spot in Kenai. They have a place to clean fish, smoke and vacuum fish. The host is very nice and helpful. Would stay here again!

R

Richard

August 2025

25 ft Class C

With pets

6 nights at Albatross Campground RESERVATIONS

Albatross was the perfect place for our dipnetting trip. It is close to the south beach entrance and has fish cleaning stations to process your catch. We stay every year at dipnetting time.

K

Katie

August 2025

Tent

2 nights at Moose Crossing RV & Food Truck Park

This was a lovely tent site - accurate description. Very clean bathrooms/showers, and a nice community area.

R

Rick

July 2025

Tent

Group trip

1 night at Magical Camping Ocean,Volcano Views

Serena was a super host! The campsite was as advertised, but when we got there we noticed that the Meadows site better fit our needs than the Sweet Spot and was unoccupied at the time. Serena was quick to our request to change sites and generous in accommodating our request. She also helped us with an unexpected supply shortage and saved us a long trip to the closest store. The site itself is lovely, very quiet and right next to shore so it gave us a beautiful sunrise view of Mt. Redoubt. With Serena's assistance we had a great and memorable stay!

K

Kim

July 2025

32 ft Class A

Group trip

3 nights at Albatross Campground RESERVATIONS

The owner Jonathan was very accommodating. The area was not like a campground and more like an RV parking camp. Great hook-ups for power, water and sewer. The shower and laundry facilities were having an issue but the camp host Terry made up for it. I thought it was a bit expensive for the lack of wilderness around it but you can smoke, can and process your fish all in the communal. The camp host can show you how if you are not experienced in process your goods already. We will definitely stay there again if we get a discount! The area was perfect for fishing the Kenai.

Tamara

July 2025

Tent

1 night at Albatross Campground RESERVATIONS

Albatross Fish Camp is really close to the Kenai and the Kasilof rivers so super conveniently located! It’s easy to get to and the people are so friendly. There is room to clean your fish and they have bags and a vacuum sealer for a fee as well as freezer space. There is always a fire going at night and people telling their share of fish stories. The cabins are cute and simple with most everything you need. I love the low maintenance vibe and look forward to many more visits!

J

Justin

July 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Mossy Forest Camp

Great spot that's close enough to the highway to be convenient but far enough to be quiet and private. Kids loved exploring the forest. And it's just a short drive or bicycle ride to river access.

T

Teresa

July 2025

20 ft travel trailer

2 nights at Evenson Heritage Lodge in Kenai

Beautiful location and close to town. We rented campsite #4. It was a tight fit for our trailer (20Ft) but we managed. I would not recommend any larger travel trailer for this site. The site had access to numerous locations to walk, fish, canoe, and view an eagles nest. We had our small dogs with us and remained cautious of the nature that surrounded us. No doggie snacks for the eagles. The site has an awesome view of the lake. Plenty of sunlight to charge our solar batteries on our trailer. Once again, please do not think you can fit your 24ftr in there safely, it just shouldn't happen. The gound is a bit soft but only because its a fairly new site. Bugs were not that bad but we had our thermacells to keep insects at bay. We did not have to use any spray repellental at all. It is a bit on the spendy side, but seclusion, beauty, and tranquility are guaranteed. We are looking for to seeing The Everson Homestead again.

Trenton

July 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Evenson Heritage Lodge in Kenai

Great camping spot right on the lake! Perfect location for fishing on the Kenai. Site is catered toward RV camping but we found a couple clear spots to set up our tents and it worked out well.

A

Abigail

July 2025

20 ft pop-up camper

Weekend Trip to Evenson Heritage Lodge in Kenai

This was an amazing trip! There were awesome views and easy water access. Hosts had great communication yet still gave us our space. We will be back and would definitely recommend!

J

Justine

July 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Evenson Heritage Lodge in Kenai

The campsite was nice and private with a lake view. The outhouse was nice and clean, the host was amazing and very responsive. I would definitely recommend this campsite but do keep in mind that it gets very windy!

DanielHeidi

July 2025

Tent

With pets

3 nights at Evenson Heritage Lodge in Kenai

We loved being able to have out dogs off leash and we loved the lakes and space we had! Would absolutely love to cone back. Hosts were so kind and helpful.

Mariana

July 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Evenson Heritage Lodge in Kenai

It’s definitely a beautiful spot! Loved it how the lake was right in front #1. Will come back in the future. I also like how private it is:)

M

Monica

July 2025

Tent

With kids

2 nights at Evenson Heritage Lodge in Kenai

We had a great time tent camping here! The lake was beautiful and the property was very private. It was a great place for our kids and dogs to play. The hosts were very helpful and provided very convenient amenities!

J

Jakobe

June 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Mossy Forest Camp

This spot was perfect for a weekend fishing trip on the river. Great location, nice private spot. Loved it!

Jami

May 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Evenson Heritage Lodge in Kenai

Perfect for my large group of 15 people 😃 Great site with so much space and things to explore! With access to 2 lakes and plenty of woods around it feels like a real outdoor Alaskan experience! Hosts were kind and communicated extremely well.

M

Max

May 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Mossy Forest Camp

Very mossy, secluded and cool vibes very much enjoyed our experience there.