Top 10 Best Camping & Outdoor Destinations in Alaska (With Travel Guide)

Alaska is a wilderness paradise, offering glaciers, fjords, mountains, wildlife, and Northern Lights—making it one of the best places in the world for adventure camping. Whether you want to hike in Denali, fish in Kenai, or camp under the Aurora Borealis, these 10 best camping spots in Alaska will give you an unforgettable experience.

Below are the top 10 camping destinations in Alaska, each with:
✅ Unique attractions & activities
✅ Best time to visit
✅ Nearby amenities (food, gas, lodging)
✅ Important tips & safety advice

1. Denali National Park & Preserve (Healy/McKinley Village) – America’s Wilderness Giant
🏔️ Highlights:
Home to North America’s highest peak (Denali, 20,310 ft)
Wildlife viewing (grizzly bears, moose, wolves, caribou)
6 million acres of untouched tundra & glaciers
Backcountry camping (permit required) or campgrounds near the park entrance
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–August (mild weather, 50–70°F, 20+ hours of daylight)
Winter (Nov–March) = aurora viewing, but extreme cold (-40°F possible)
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Riley Creek (year-round, basic), Savage River (RV/tent), Teklanika (remote, 92-mile drive in)
Nearest town (Healy, AK – 12 mins) has limited groceries & lodges
Fairbanks (2.5 hrs) for major supplies & flights
⚠️ Things to Know:
Bears are common—carry bear spray & store food properly
Road access is limited (only buses & campers allowed deep into the park)
Wildlife is unpredictable—keep a safe distance

2. Katmai National Park & Preserve (Brooks Camp) – Bear Watching Paradise
🐻 Highlights:
World-famous bear viewing (brown bears fishing at Brooks Falls)
Volcanic landscapes (Mount Katmai, Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes)
Remote wilderness camping (no roads, only floatplanes/helicopters)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–September (best bear activity, 50–65°F)
July = peak salmon run (most bears gather at the falls)
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Brooks Camp (limited sites, reservation required)
No roads—access by floatplane ($$$) from King Salmon (1 hr away)
King Salmon (nearest town) has small grocery stores & lodges
⚠️ Things to Know:
Bears are everywhere—follow strict safety rules
Flights can be delayed due to weather
Very expensive (flights + lodging add up fast)

3. Kenai Fjords National Park (Seward) – Glacier & Wildlife Camping
🌊 Highlights:
Tidewater glaciers (Exit Glacier, Harding Icefield)
Whale watching (humpback, orca, sea otters)
Kayaking & hiking along fjords & alpine trails
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–August (glacier cruises, 50–65°F, longest daylight)
September = fewer crowds, but colder
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Exit Glacier (Resurrection River, small sites)
Seward (15 mins) has supermarkets, hotels, & tour operators
Anchorage (2.5 hrs) for major supplies & flights
⚠️ Things to Know:
Glaciers are unstable—stay on marked trails
Marine wildlife is unpredictable (keep distance from whales)
Weather changes fast—pack layers

4. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park (Copper Center) – Largest National Park in the U.S.
🏞️ Highlights:
Largest park in the U.S. (13.2 million acres!)
Glaciers, volcanoes (Mount Wrangell), & remote wilderness
Backcountry camping (no crowds, endless adventure)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–August (best hiking, 50–70°F)
Winter = extreme cold (-30°F), but aurora viewing possible
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Slana (primitive, river access), Kenny Lake (nearby)
Copper Center (nearest town, 1 hr) has small store & lodge
Anchorage (5 hrs) for major supplies
⚠️ Things to Know:
Extremely remote—bring extra fuel & supplies
Wildlife (bears, moose) is common—carry bear spray
No cell service—plan ahead

5. Gates of the Arctic National Park (Coldfoot) – True Arctic Wilderness
🌌 Highlights:
Most remote national park (no roads, no trails, no crowds)
Arctic tundra, Brooks Range mountains, & Northern Lights
Backpacking & river expeditions (Noatak River)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–September (mild weather, 40–60°F, 24-hour daylight)
Winter = extreme cold (-40°F), but auroras are incredible
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
No developed campgrounds—backcountry only
Coldfoot (nearest settlement, 1 hr) has a lodge & fuel
Fairbanks (350 miles south) for major supplies
⚠️ Things to Know:
No roads—access by bush plane or hiking
Extreme isolation—tell someone your plans
Bears & wolves roam freely

6. Prince William Sound (Whittier/Cordova) – Fjords & Kayaking
🚤 Highlights:
Glacier-filled fjords (College Fjord, Barry Arm)
Kayaking among icebergs & whales
Fishing (salmon, halibut) & wildlife cruises
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–August (best weather, 50–65°F)
September = fewer tourists, but cooler
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Whittier (small sites, near cruise port)
Whittier (1 hr from Anchorage) has limited stores
Cordova (further south) has more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Rainy & windy—pack waterproof gear
Marine traffic is heavy—stay alert
Glaciers can calve suddenly (keep distance)

7. Lake Clark National Park (Port Alsworth) – Volcanoes & Wildlife
🌋 Highlights:
Active volcanoes (Mount Redoubt, Iliamna)
Brown bears fishing in rivers
Remote lakes & wilderness hiking
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–August (best wildlife viewing, 50–70°F)
Winter = snow-covered, but auroras are stunning
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Port Alsworth (small, near town)
Port Alsworth (nearest town) has a lodge & store
Anchorage (1.5 hrs by plane) for major supplies
⚠️ Things to Know:
Bears are common—carry bear spray
Weather changes fast—be prepared
No roads—access by small plane

8. Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve (Eagle) – Gold Rush History & River Camping
🏞️ Highlights:
Untouched Arctic wilderness
Paddling the Yukon River (historic gold rush routes)
Moose, wolves, & Dall sheep
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–September (best river travel, 40–70°F)
Winter = extreme cold, but dog sledding is possible
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
No developed campgrounds—backcountry only
Eagle (nearest town, 1 hr) has a small store
Fairbanks (300 miles south) for supplies
⚠️ Things to Know:
Remote—bring extra fuel & food
River conditions can be dangerous
Wildlife is unpredictable

9. Kobuk Valley National Park (Kotzebue) – Sand Dunes & Caribou Migrations
🏜️ Highlights:
Great Kobuk Sand Dunes (40-mile-long dunes!)
Caribou migrations (largest in North America)
Remote Arctic wilderness
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–August (best hiking, 40–60°F)
Winter = extreme cold, but auroras are incredible
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
No developed campgrounds—backcountry only
Kotzebue (nearest town, 2 hrs by air) has a lodge
Fairbanks (500 miles south) for supplies
⚠️ Things to Know:
No roads—access by small plane
Caribou crossings can be dangerous
Extreme isolation—plan ahead

10. Admiralty Island National Monument (Juneau) – "Fortress of the Bears"
🐻 Highlights:
Highest density of brown bears in North America
Rainforest hiking & kayaking
Totem poles & Native Tlingit culture
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–August (best bear viewing, 50–65°F)
September = fewer tourists, but cooler
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Pack Creek (bear viewing, reservation required)
Juneau (nearest city) has supermarkets & flights
⚠️ Things to Know:
Bears are everywhere—follow strict safety rules
Weather is rainy—pack waterproof gear
Access is by boat or plane only
Final Tips for Camping in Alaska
✔ Pack for extreme weather (layers, rain gear, warm sleeping bag)
✔ Bear safety is non-negotiable (bear spray, proper food storage)
✔ Most places have no cell service—plan ahead
✔ Flights & bush planes are often weather-dependent

Alaska’s camping spots are untamed, breathtaking, and unlike anywhere else on Earth. Whether you want glaciers, bears, or the Northern Lights, these destinations will give you the adventure of a lifetime. 🏕️🌌🐻