Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- The park has four campgrounds: Bird Creek has 24 campsites, Bird Creek Overflow has 40 campsites, Eagle River has 57 campsites, and Eklutna Lake has 50 campsites. Aside from group sites, all campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Arrive early during peak summer season to ensure you snag a site. Eagle River has a three-night limit, meaning it is more likely to have turnover. You can reserve the group campsite and tent platform at Eagle River ahead as well.
- Public-use cabins are available for rent at several Chugach campgrounds. They are all reserved in advance and fill quickly during summer.
- Private Hipcamps are a great alternative to first-come, first-served public campgrounds during the busy season. Reserve ahead to secure a site near the park.
When to Go
Chugach State Park is a year-round playground. Camping is most popular during the summer season when trails are open to hikers, and Eagle River fishing is also excellent during this time. Even still, being convenient to Anchorage and several other communities means the park is accessible year-round. Skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and dog mushing are popular winter activities.
Know Before You Go
- This is a large, rugged park with a remote interior. Visitors backpacking or traversing the far-off reaches should have excellent wilderness navigation skills and satellite communication systems for emergencies.
- The park campgrounds are RV-accessible, most with a 35-foot length limit. Eagle River is the exception with no size limit for RVs.
- All campgrounds offer toilets, water, and fire rings for visitors. ADA-accessible facilities are also present.
- Permits are required for all commercial and special-use activities. Hosting any organized event at a group campsite will require a special-use permit.
Chugach State Park
Explore the Eagle River and this exceptionally large park filled with mountains, glaciers, and forests.
This is no average park in terms of size or opportunity. Chugach State Park has nearly a half-million acres of wild space to explore, and is among the largest state parks in the country, loaded with creeks, rivers, lakes, glaciers, and mountain peaks. It’s also bordered by Prince William Sound with access to both the Chugach and Wrangell Mountains. Campers will find accessible campgrounds, cabins, trails, and roadways leading to prime areas for hiking and fishing. Convenient to Anchorage, Eagle River, Palmer, and Girdwood, Chugach is great for a day trip from a basecamp in town or overnight camping trips.
This is no average park in terms of size or opportunity. Chugach State Park has nearly a half-million acres of wild space to explore, and is among the largest state parks in the country, loaded with creeks, rivers, lakes, glaciers, and mountain peaks. It’s also bordered by Prince William Sound with access to both the Chugach and Wrangell Mountains. Campers will find accessible campgrounds, cabins, trails, and roadways leading to prime areas for hiking and fishing. Convenient to Anchorage, Eagle River, Palmer, and Girdwood, Chugach is great for a day trip from a basecamp in town or overnight camping trips.
Activities in the park
3 campgrounds in Chugach State Park
Eklutna Lake Campground will, of course, give you access to Eklutna Lake. That’s a given. This decent-sized spot has even more to offer off the water, however. The surrounding terrain is crazy popular for hiking, horseback riding, wildlife watching, and even ATVs. It’s quite a luxury you’ll find here, having a lake you can give or take!Read more...
Even if you’re not a bird geek, you’ll find plenty to love at Bird Creek. Bird Creek Campground offers basic accommodations in a wilderness setting featuring beautiful hiking and fishing. Not enough? Breathtaking sunsets and whale watching should tip the scales. You should be so lucky to find yourself up this creek!Read more...
Sure enough, the river itself is the centerpiece of Eagle River Campground. It’s beautiful, it’s well-stocked with fish, and it’s right there for you to enjoy. Otherwise, there’s plenty of hiking and sightseeing to do. The sites themselves may be basic, but they’re roomy and well-maintained. Rest and relaxation on the riverside is here for you!Read more...
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Notable Campgrounds
Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
Chugach State Park is a year-round playground. Camping is most popular during the summer season when trails are open to hikers, and Eagle River fishing is also excellent during this time. Even still, being convenient to Anchorage and several other communities means the park is accessible year-round. Skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and dog mushing are popular winter activities.
Know Before You Go
Public campgrounds (book externally) —