Camping near Hope

Under two hours’ drive from Anchorage, Hope gives campers access to some of the most stunning mountains, wildlife, and waterways of southcentral Alaska. Hope’s setting on the banks of Turnagain Arm at the northern tip of the Kenai Peninsula means its close to alpine backpacking paths, whitewater rafting, salmon and halibut fishing, and ferries that traverse the fjords and ice flows of the Gulf of Alaska. It’s also a perfect place to sit back, relax, and marvel at the state’s coastal mountain beauty. Once a booming gold rush town, Hope now promises camping trips among natural treasures like nowhere else on earth.

Hope is set on the southern bank of Turnagain Arm (a branch of the Cook Inlet) and backed by the picturesque Kenai Mountains—meaning scenic views are a given. Local highlights include whitewater rafting on Sixmile Creek and backpacking on the Resurrection Pass Trail. On the northern banks of Turnagain Arm, just an hour’s drive from Hope, you’ll find more trailheads into alpine settings in Chugach State Park.

Alaska’s summer camping season runs roughly from May to September, weather and snowpack permitting. Campers in June, July, and early August will want mosquito protection—and in June, campers can also plan for 19 hours of daylight. Come the winter solstice in December, daylight hours drop to just 5.5 hours. Intrepid winter travelers can be rewarded by northern lights, cross country skiing, and snow machining, but newcomers may be more comfortable near a larger town with more services during a winter camping trip this far north.