Camping in Big Lake, AK, US: 12 Best Campgrounds 2024

United States
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Alaska
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Big Lake

92% (136 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Big Lake

Dog-friendly getaways

Top camping destinations

Chugach National Forest

92 campgrounds

Chugach State Park

126 campgrounds

The gentle trail hugs the water’s edge for a mile upstream, continuing over a small wood bridge and returns in the same fashion on the other side. Look up to spot wildlife in the rocky outcrops on both sides of the valley.

Denali National Park & Preserve

63 campgrounds

Star Hosts in Big Lake

96%

(41)

North 40 Stays

8 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Sutton, AK

Camp right on the banks of the Matanuska river while staring at the magnificent King Mountain, Pinnacle mountain, and Craig Mountain! Over 10 acres with only 5 camp sites! Close to Kings river and some of the best ATV trails in the State! The Matanuska river offers some of the best rock hounding in the area and when the river is low, kids love playing in the shallow river streams and sandbars! This is an adult, kids and dogs dream play area! Come relax and get away from the busyness of life!!

Creekside Campground

10 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Willow, AK

We are a small, family-run campground in the heart of Willow, AK just off the Parks Highway FEATURING 🔌Electric - 30 and 50 amp 💧 Water fill up available from our well 🌳 Gravel and natural forest sites both suitable for RVs or tents 🔥 Picnic tables and fire pits at each site 🚿 Shower house with toilet and hot water shower 🏞️ A relaxing, babbling creek 🐾 Minutes away from downtown Willow, including the start of the Iditarod and the entrance to Hatcher Pass. We have fresh cut firewood available and offer a common gazebo area with a table, camp chairs, and large charcoal grill. Our family lives on site and is available for anything you may need during your stay.

Jim Creek Blank Land

30 sites · RVs13 acres · Palmer, AK

This is blank land in the Buette area of Palmer, Alaska. No signs except for the address sign. Make your own spot. No amenities. Please take your own trash out. Enjoy your stay for just $10 a night. Near Jim Creek. Great fishing. A lot of trails for 4X4s and riding ATVs. Come park your car, camper, RV etc and enjoy Alaskan life at Jim Creek Blank land.

100%

(8)

Little Bear Wilderness Retreat

2 sites · Lodging13 acres · Susitna North, AK

Here at Little Bear Cabins 30 minutes from Talkeetna, Alaska and Willow youll find a working off grid homestead with privacy and nature everywhere. Offering guided Alaskan plant walks and more! Private cabins with a wandering creek to explore with kayaks or skis as well as bikes all included ! Late fall its filled with salmon and trout. World class fly fishing all around you! Winter time the Northern lights will dance over you! With many trails to wander along and a bridge to view or swim. Summer or winter .. The birds here are like no other located in the migrating route of the predatory birds. You'll find nests all along the creek of rare birds.. Each cabin is private and has a firepit fridge and potable water provided . There are groomed ski trails and walking trails for guests with kayaks and bike to use during your stay .I offer guided walks of the garden and In the forest to learn about the edible and medicinal plants of Alaska. You will find stillness and nature all around you..

100%

(13)

Hideaway Camp (Single Camp Spot!)

1 site · RV3 acres · Anchorage, AK

**NOW BOOKING FOR THE 2025 SEASON ** My wife and I have a single quiet spot on our peaceful wooded property on the Anchorage hillside on 3 acres. We can accommodate short duration stays of 1-4 days. We have household power and potable water available. We do NOT have an RV dump, although you can dump for free at the Holiday gas station about 10 minutes from the site. We have bear spray and bells available to loan at no charge! We have four dogs, and your quiet well behaved dogs are welcome. Depending on where you park you'll be able to access 1gb wifi from our house.

12 top campgrounds near Big Lake

96%

(41)

North 40 Stays

8 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Sutton, AK

Camp right on the banks of the Matanuska river while staring at the magnificent King Mountain, Pinnacle mountain, and Craig Mountain! Over 10 acres with only 5 camp sites! Close to Kings river and some of the best ATV trails in the State! The Matanuska river offers some of the best rock hounding in the area and when the river is low, kids love playing in the shallow river streams and sandbars! This is an adult, kids and dogs dream play area! Come relax and get away from the busyness of life!!

Creekside Campground

10 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Willow, AK

We are a small, family-run campground in the heart of Willow, AK just off the Parks Highway FEATURING 🔌Electric - 30 and 50 amp 💧 Water fill up available from our well 🌳 Gravel and natural forest sites both suitable for RVs or tents 🔥 Picnic tables and fire pits at each site 🚿 Shower house with toilet and hot water shower 🏞️ A relaxing, babbling creek 🐾 Minutes away from downtown Willow, including the start of the Iditarod and the entrance to Hatcher Pass. We have fresh cut firewood available and offer a common gazebo area with a table, camp chairs, and large charcoal grill. Our family lives on site and is available for anything you may need during your stay.

Talkeetna Lake Retreat

13 sites · Lodging, RVs15 acres · Talkeetna, AK

Escape the daily grind and indulge in a delightful retreat with us. Welcome to our evolving Alaskan campground and cabin rental – a work in progress that promises a unique experience. Situated on 15 acres, our property offers boat rentals and scenic cross-country walking paths. With 11 dry RV pads complemented by picnic tables, you can enjoy the outdoors in comfort. Additionally, there's a grocery store, Subway, ice cream parlor, and coffee shop within walking distance, ensuring convenience and variety during your stay. Discover more amenities that await you!

Deluxe Mtn Cabins: Anchorage, AK

9 sites · Lodging5 acres · Chugiak, AK

Welcome to BlueWater BaseCamp! BlueWater BaseCamp is a haven for those who seek solace and rejuvenation in nature without venturing far from the city. Nestled in the scenic Eklutna Valley, BWBC is a boutique hotel and event venue catering to independent travelers, locals, groups of up to 28 people, and events with up to 75 attendees. Accommodations: Our Small Deluxe Cabins (5 available) offer an intimate Alaskan experience, perfectly suited for two. Each cabin features a cozy living room with a couch, chair, and Murphy table. The kitchenette is fully equipped with dishes, silverware, pots and pans, culinary tools, basic spices, Keurig coffee maker, induction cooktop, microwave, and mini fridge. The bathrooms include shower, toilet, sink and some have soaking tubs. The bedrooms boast queen beds with closet space and some cabins have a loft for unwinding with a good book. For those seeking a soaking tub experience, Ranger's Roost and Bashful Peak Cabins have the added luxury of a relaxing tub. Our larger cabins (3 available) designed for groups up to 6, offer a fully handicap-accessible first floor. The spacious cabins feature a full kitchen equipped with a mid-sized fridge, stove, oven, microwave, and a dining table for 6. The bathroom is generously sized, featuring a roll-in, zero-threshold shower, roll-under sink, and appropriately placed grab bars around the shower and toilet. The main floor bedroom hosts a queen-size bed with room to turn mobility devices and the upstairs loft provides 2 queen beds for the rest of your party. Immersed in the tranquility of the surrounding woods, our deluxe cabins serve as the perfect retreat to rest, rejuvenate, and explore the Anchorage area and beyond. Book Now to reserve your private getaway!

Jim Creek Blank Land

30 sites · RVs13 acres · Palmer, AK

This is blank land in the Buette area of Palmer, Alaska. No signs except for the address sign. Make your own spot. No amenities. Please take your own trash out. Enjoy your stay for just $10 a night. Near Jim Creek. Great fishing. A lot of trails for 4X4s and riding ATVs. Come park your car, camper, RV etc and enjoy Alaskan life at Jim Creek Blank land.

80%

(5)

Clean Forest type camping

40 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Wasilla, AK

Learn more about this land:Family friendly our campground is called houston grass station campground and is located right next to the alaska railroad watch it go by wile you camp see you here thanks

100%

(2)

Willow AK Glamp & Camp

2 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Willow, AK

You can cozy up to a nice camp fire and enjoy the peace and quiet of the woods. The property is surrounded by trees with a large gravelled area for lots of parking. We have playground equipment for kids and spaces for dogs to explore. There are lots of nice areas to go walking/exploring on site or you can get to many fantastic rivers and lakes within a few miles. The northern lights are amazing out here in the Fall.

Little Bear Wilderness Retreat

2 sites · Lodging13 acres · Susitna North, AK

Here at Little Bear Cabins 30 minutes from Talkeetna, Alaska and Willow youll find a working off grid homestead with privacy and nature everywhere. Offering guided Alaskan plant walks and more! Private cabins with a wandering creek to explore with kayaks or skis as well as bikes all included ! Late fall its filled with salmon and trout. World class fly fishing all around you! Winter time the Northern lights will dance over you! With many trails to wander along and a bridge to view or swim. Summer or winter .. The birds here are like no other located in the migrating route of the predatory birds. You'll find nests all along the creek of rare birds.. Each cabin is private and has a firepit fridge and potable water provided . There are groomed ski trails and walking trails for guests with kayaks and bike to use during your stay .I offer guided walks of the garden and In the forest to learn about the edible and medicinal plants of Alaska. You will find stillness and nature all around you..

100%

(2)

Gnome Dome & Mushroom Room Hope AK

2 sites · Lodging1 acre · Hope, AK

Come stay at the Gnome Dome & Mushroom Room in Hope Alaska. Located conveniently off Resurrection Road near the Hope airport. These spacious bell tents sleep 4. Just B.Y.O.B. (Bring your own sleeping Bag) Or we have sleeping bags to rent. We have an outdoor firepit, camp chairs, and space to enjoy our neck of the woods.

Hideaway Camp (Single Camp Spot!)

1 site · RV3 acres · Anchorage, AK

**NOW BOOKING FOR THE 2025 SEASON ** My wife and I have a single quiet spot on our peaceful wooded property on the Anchorage hillside on 3 acres. We can accommodate short duration stays of 1-4 days. We have household power and potable water available. We do NOT have an RV dump, although you can dump for free at the Holiday gas station about 10 minutes from the site. We have bear spray and bells available to loan at no charge! We have four dogs, and your quiet well behaved dogs are welcome. Depending on where you park you'll be able to access 1gb wifi from our house.

100%

(3)

The Wilds

3 sites · Lodging200 acres · Fishhook, AK

Our off-grid property is situated on 200 private acres of beautiful Alaskan land. We have five miles of trails right out your cabin door and beautiful views of the Susitna River throughout. The Talkeetna Mountains serve as an incredible backdrop to it all. We live on the property, as do our array of animals. We have a family of geese and chickens who will welcome you with open wings, as well as two dogs and three cats. We operate off of solar and generated power and while the cabins do have limited electricity, we ask that you We are located just 55 miles from the Anchorage Airport, 12 miles from downtown Palmer and 14 miles from downtown Wasilla. Best of all, were just 2.8 miles from Government Peak Recreation Area and 10 miles from Hatcher Pass, so if it's adventure you're looking for, you're in luck! If you’re looking for a fun day trip, we’re just an hour and a half from Talkeetna and 3.5 hours from Denali. We've named our property The Wilds because it is wild! A large portion of our land is protected by a conservation easement, so it can never be developed. We cherish that responsibility and are excited to share the rawness of this land with you!

100%

(2)

The Glacier Breeze

2 sites · Lodging, RVs4 acres · Palmer, AK

The Glacier Breeze is located in Alaska’s beautiful Knik River Valley surrounded by breathtaking views of the Chugach Mountains. With the numerous adventures that you can take in the Knik River and Matsu areas, it makes for a perfect base camp. The property also makes for a great beginning or ending of your Alaskan trip with it being conveniently located a short hour drive from Anchorage. Why be in the city when you can be emersed in Alaska!

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

Hatcher Pass Management Area

Fishhook, Alaska

100%

(1)

Nancy Lake State Recreation Area

Big Lake, Alaska

96%

(46)

Chugach National Forest

Tatitlek, Alaska

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping near Big Lake guide

Overview

You don’t have to stray far from Anchorage to find wild places. Roughly one hour north of Anchorage, Big Lake features a long shoreline, big mountain views, and access to trails and wilderness that make it a prime camping destinations. While some of the waterfront is dotted with private residences, Big Lake also offers public recreation areas, parks, and camping set along the more than 60 miles of . With more than 60 miles of shoreline.

Where to go

Big Lake North State Recreation Site

Big Lake North State Recreation Site has plenty of space with 60 campsites and no limit on RV size. Campers can stay for up to seven days, and many do thanks to the convenience of the toilets and ADA facilities. The nearby Big Lake South State Recreation Site is slightly smaller with 20 campsites, but its boat launch makes it an excellent area for fishing, swimming, and more outdoor fun. Both sites are perfect for Big Lake campers.

Rocky Lake State Recreation Site

The RV-friendly Rocky Lake State Recreation Site offers 50 acres of lakefront access, though motor restrictions are in place to keep the area quiet and serene. Consider a Rocky Lake camping trip for a fishing getaway—just know the site enforces a 30-foot limit on RVs.

Denali National Park

While in Big Lake, take a trip to Denali National Park, only three hours north. Stop in Talkeetna on the way to take a flightseeing tour over the Alaska Range, then head to the park for hiking and wildlife watching. Denali is popular during the summer months, but winter has plenty of action for dog sledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

When to go

Big Lake is the perfect summer destination thanks to the water perfect for swimming, fishing, and boating. Take advantage of the long summer days and grab a jet ski or fishing boat while you camp or park an RV on the lake. Summer is the most crowded time of year, but with plenty of public access, you shouldn’t have issues finding a nice campsite. Although the water freezes in winter, this is still a beautiful time at Big Lake. The open space is conducive to dog sledding, skiing, and snowshoeing, though the cold weather limits camping options.