Where to Stay In Chugach National Forest
Chugach National Forest offers a variety of lodging and camping accommodations. Outdoor enthusiasts will find incredible campgrounds with first-come, first-served policies. There are also cozy public-use cabins managed by the National Forest Service that should be booked in advance through Reserve America. If you’re looking for more amenities, opt for one of the luxury hotels or lodges in nearby communities; they’re great launching pads for hikes and other outdoor activities.
Hotels & Lodges View All
Looking for an intimate and accessible getaway with an authentic Alaskan feel? Alaska Wildland Adventure’s Kenai Riverside Lodge will fit the bill, with just 16 cabins set on the Kenai River, surrounded by 3,000-foot snow-capped mountains. This easy-access riverside lodge has a remote feel, but is still right on the road system. Meals are served family-style, creating a more intimate experience, and allowing you to mingle with fellow guests and ...more
This 86-room lodge not only has endless views over a vast valley, but it also sits on the banks of the Kenai River, which teems with fish. With vaulted ceilings made of naturally finished wood, cozy sitting areas with wood-burning stoves and private porches, it’s easy to feel like the whole place is yours. The area is famous for its fishing, but you also have easy access to Kenai Fjords National Park, a wild land filled with glaciers, marine ...more
Alaska Heavenly Lodge offers the best of both worlds: all the seclusion and luxury normally associated with fly-in lodges, as well as the affordability and convenience of being on the road system. You’ll find three hand-hewn log cabins, complete with a trail system and picturesque views of the Chugach Range and Kenai River. The location makes it easy to soak up the solitude of Alaska, as well as nearby adventures like fishing, rafting, and more. ...more
Staying at the remote Kenai Backcountry Lodge within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge offers a real taste of the wilderness. The lodge, located on a five-acre, private in-holding, began as a river-accessed hunting cabin back in 1935. Years later, the remodeled and expanded property is still road-free, and guests raft into the lodge. Alaska Wildland Adventures pride themselves on a ‘leave no trace’ style of eco-tourism.
This luxury resort, 40 miles from Anchorage in the town of Girdwood, is surrounded by seven glaciers. The spectacular scenery is popular in summer as well as winter, when you’ll find a full-on ski resort. It’s a romantic option that’s equally great for families.
RV Parks & Campgrounds View All
If you want to camp beside subalpine Upper Summit Lake close to trumpeter swans and fishing for rainbows, take the family to this campground deep in the Kenai Mountains off Mile 46 of the Seward Highway. The 35 sites are spread along a loop in the alder, willow and spruce woods on the hillside above the lake, with clear-running Tenderfoot Creek passing through
With 60 sites on paved loops, Williwaw is suitable for large motorhomes and offers great access to the Trail of Blue Ice — a non-motorized multi-use trail that traverses the valley floor. Also nearby biking, salmon viewing, hikes, and glacier viewing.
This campground offers tent camping with access to picnic tables, toilets and an interpretive site. It is a remote site, with no road access. You must hire a charter. Inquire at the Cordova Visitor Center.
Quartz Creek campground is situated on the banks of sparkling Kenai Lake. This is a great spot to cool off on a hot day. Kenai Lake has a good sandy swimming beach and a trail that follows along nearby Quartz Creek. Cast your line for some awesome fly-fishing at the creek or look for the nearby horse stable for a scenic ride.
Bertha Creek Campground is a great choice for a low-key campout in a recreational gold-panning area on a quiet loop where the kids won’t get lost. Located just south of Turnagain Pass in the Kenai Mountains about 65 miles south of Anchorage, the campground is tucked into an open forest beside the confluence of Bertha and Granite creeks at the base of steep mountains.
Biking, fish viewing, a natural history center and a flat hike to a glacier are within easy reach of this quiet, intimate campground in Portage Valley at the head of Turnagain Arm in the Chugach National Forest. The 12 sites in the graveled, wooded Black Bear are yards from the Trail of Blue Ice — a non-motorized multi-use trail that traverses the valley floor.
Set in a handsome birch forest overlooking Turnagain Arm, this campground in Chugach National Forest close to the historic village of Hope is a family classic. The 34 sites offer all the usual amenities (picnic table, campfire ring, outhouses, water pump) and are laid out with an eye toward privacy. Just 81 miles from Anchorage.
16 sites in a wooded setting. There’s a family friendly trail that leads to Ptarmigan Lake. It’s a seven mile round trip and you’ll see sheep and goats along the way. There’s also good trout and Dolly Varden fishing, so bring your gear.
Cascade Bay, at the Northwest end of Eaglek Bay, holds the treasure of the largest waterfall in Prince William Sound. There is no lack of freshwater in the Bay, with another reasonable water source coming in just to the East of the Falls. Be prepared for the noise of the falls, and tons of jellyfish!
Public Use Cabins View All
The 14x16-ft rustic cabin can sleep up to six people. Access to the cabin is by wheel plane at low tide from Cordova or Seward.
Mile 11.9 Russian Lakes Trail.Handsome 12×14 trapper’s style log cabin that overlooks the lake and a stunning view. With bunk space for six and sleeping for eight. (The Forest Service recommends space for 4, so expect close quarters.) Check Availability ...more
The 12x20-ft, rustic cabin has a loft and a covered deck. Located 4.2 miles from Power Creek Trailhead, which begins approximately 6.9 miles north of Cordova, Alaska.
Cabin is near Crow Pass in the Chugach Mountains, 3 miles from the Crow Pass Trailhead and is located 500 yards East of the Trail at the old cabin site
Mile 29.2 Resurrection Pass Trail. This cabin sits at the south end of Juneau Lake. A rustic cabin with counter space, a table, benches and a wood stove for heat. Sleeps eight with bunks for six. Other features include a splitting maul and saw, an outhouse — and a canoe with paddles for exploring the lake. Check Availability ...more
Mile 8.6 Russian Lakes Trail. Rustic cabin with bunks for six and sleeping space for eight. Fishing for Dolly Varden and rainbow trout in the nearby Russian River. Features counter space, table, benches, a wood stove, splitting maul and handsaw, and outhouse. Check Availability ...more
A 12ft x 14ft rustic cabin overlooking the southern shore of Crescent Lake. It is a 7 mile hike via Carter Lake Trail and an 11 mile hike via Crescent Creek Trail.
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16-x-16 log cabin in an alpine valley nestled amid steep mountain slopes. Sleeps 6, with table, oil stove, and outhouse. Note: You must bring #1 stove oil if you want heat. One gallon lasts about one hour. Devil’s Creek Trail intersects here, a 10-mile descent to the Seward Highway trailhead. Devi’s Pass Lake is about one mile down the trail. Check Availability ...more
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A 12ft x 14ft rustic cabin at the northwest end of Crescent Lake in the Kenai Mountains.
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12 by 14 rustic cabin on Resurrection Creek in spruce-birch forest with mountain views. Sleeping bunks for six with space for eight. Equipped with counter space, table, benches, wood stove, splitting maul and hand saw. Outhouse and bear locker.
The 12x14-ft rustic structure can sleep up to 6. Access to the cabin is by wheel plane on the beach at low tide only, typically a 25-minute flight from Cordova.
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This 16′ X 16′ cabin is constructed of beetle-killed, milled spruce logs and has two full size bunk beds with a capacity to sleep eight people. Located in Decision Point State Park, this cabin can be reached by private boat, kayak, floatplane, or commercial water taxi.
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Mile 2.3 Russian Lakes Trail. This rustic cabin in a flat area along the eastern shore of Lower Russian Lake features a rowboat with oars. It sleeps eight, with bunks for six, and includes cooking counter, table, benches, wood stove, spitting maul and saw, and an outhouse. Check Availability ...more
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16-by-16 rustic log cabin on Fox Creek in the Resurrection Creek valley near the edge of by spruce/birch forest with views of nearby mountains. Sleeps 6, with table, wood stove, splitting maul, crosscut saw, and outhouse.
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On the southwest shore of Coghill Lake, on a lagoon just before the Coghill River, on the east side of College Fiord in Prince William Sound. Trail is 3 miles.
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A 12ft x 16ft rustic A‑frame cabin with a loft. The cabin is located 200 yards south of Beach River on the Gulf of Alaska side of Montague Island.
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A two-story log cabin with a loft sleeps eight with bunk space for seven. It has counter space table, benches and a wood stove for heat. Other features include splitting maul and hand saw, an outhouse — and a rowboat with oars. Check Availability
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The cabin offers seclusion and good fishing. A rowboat and oars provided at the cabin gives anglers excellent opportunities to catch grayling on the small, adjacent lake. The cabin is accessible only by floatplane (15 minutes from Moose Pass or 15 minutes from Seward).
Operated by the non-profit Alaska Mountain and Wilderness Huts Association, Manitoba Cabin is intended to promote wilderness experience and camaraderie in the spirit of European-style trekking huts. While very popular among backcountry skiers during winter weekends, the facility often has openings during weekdays. During the summer, you might have the entire place to yourself.
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A rustic log cabin with counter space, a table, benches and a wood stove for heat. Sleeps eight, with bunks for six. Other features include splitting maul and saw, outhouse — and a rowboat equipped with oars for exploring the lake. Check Availability ...more
12-by-14 rustic cabin tucked away from the trail in a scattered spruce forest near the more open subalpine zone at 2,200 feet. Sleeps 6, with table, wood stove, splitting maul, crosscut saw, and outhouse.
This 15 x 17 trapper’s style cabin perched on a ridge 1,800 feet above Spencer Glacier offers one of the most spectacular views in the world. The panorama sweeps across a wild mountain-scape of sheer faces and avalanche chutes. Close to the cabin, visitors will find alpine meadows with wildflowers and interesting geology, and chances to see various wildlife.
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