Established Camping
Trail River
About
National Forest
Chugach National Forest
Overview
Trail River Campground, set between the Trail River and Kenai Lake, provides lake, river and snow-capped mountain scenery among the hemlock and spruce forests of the Chugach National Forest. It lies within driving distance of two main tourism destinations; 24 miles north of Seward and 40 miles east of Cooper Landing, AK. Miles of hiking and biking trails weave throughout the area. Moose, brown and black bear, sheep and goats can be found across a large parts of the forest. Kenai Lake marks the headwaters of the Kenai River. The campground is situated on the Eastern Kenai Peninsula at elevation 450 feet.
Recreation
The Day Use Site at Trail River Campground provides beach access to Kenai Lake. Many people enjoy fishing, collecting driftwood, skipping rocks and walking along the beach. The view of the mountains surrounding Kenai Lake is gorgeous. Snow is present in the high peaks and avalanche chutes until the end of August. Trout fishing can be very productive from the beach at Trail River Campground as well as at many nearby streams. The lake is home to Dolly Varden, rainbow trout and lake trout. Although trout fishing is open year-round in Kenai Lake, special restrictions apply within 1/4 mile of inlet streams. Kenai Lake is not open to salmon fishing. Anglers are required to have a State of Alaska Fishing license and obey all regulations. Within a one-mile radius of the campground entrance, are five trails: Falls Creek Trail, Crown Point Mine Road, Ptarmigan Creek Trail and Vagt Lake Trail. All of these trails run roughly east-west and provide access to the Iditarod National Historic Trail (INHT) which runs north-south. The INHT is an ongoing project to build a '"southern trek" connecting Seward (Mile 0 of the Iditarod Trail) to Eagle River (north of Anchorage). Currently, sections of this trail are still under construction, and several bridges are missing. However, links between Falls Creek Trail and Ptarmigan Lake Trail as well as between Vagt Lake Trail and Crown Point Mine Road make loop hikes possible. The Falls Creek OHV Trail is a half mile north of the entrance road. This steep trail provides good views of Kenai and Lower Trail Lakes and is deal for hikers and experienced OHV enthusiasts. A second option for motorized recreation is the Crown Point Mine Road. This trail is located one mile north of the campground entrance road at the end of Mine Road. This historic mining road leads above tree-line and provides great views. South of the entrance road is the Ptarmigan Creek Campground. This campground is also the location of Ptarmigan Creek Trail as well as a day use area with a fish-viewing platform where you can view spawning salmon in the late summer and fall. Ptarmigan Creek trail steadily gains elevation as it follows Ptarmigan Creek to Ptarmigan Lake. A round trip to the lake and back is seven miles. In the winter, the campground is closed and the campground's entrance road and loops are groomed for freestyle and Nordic skiing.
Facilities
The campground is divided into three loops. Spruce Tree loop has ample shade and stellar views of the mountains. Eagle Point Loop overlooks Kenai Lake and the River Terrace Loop is nearest to the river. The group campsite, which accommodates 70 guests, is part of Trail River Loop. The picnic shelter at the group site is a great place for large gatherings such as wedding receptions, retirement parties or birthdays. It has a beautiful, timber frame pavilion with a large central grill and covered picnic tables. The adjacent volleyball court, horseshoe pit and playground make it fun for all ages. There is also a large fire ring with seating, and plenty of parking. Amenities include vault toilets, trash collection and drinking water. The Day Use Area (mentioned above) includes lake shore access, picnic tables and vault toilets.
Natural Features
The Chugach National Forest covers the eastern half of the Kenai Peninsula and extends around Prince William Sound. It covers over 5 million acres and is characterized by jagged mountains, deep fjords, glacier-fed rivers, and dense forests. This rich natural area supports many miles of productive fishing streams as well as wildlife populations.
contact_info
For local information, please call (907) 522-8368 or call (907) 288-3178 for general information.
Nearby Attractions
Trail River Campground is located close to many tourist destinations. Within the Seward Ranger District, many world-class trailheads and day use areas await discovery. The newly-remodeled Seward Ranger District Information Office, is one mile south on Ranger Station Spur. There, friendly forest service employees can help you gather information, interpret the local ecology, purchase area maps, and offer advice about the Chugach National Forest. From this campground, possible day trips include wildlife viewing in Kenai Fjords National Park, rafting down the Kenai River, and a visit to Portage Glacier. Portage Glacier, is located in Portage Valley, a 14-mile isthmus that connects the Kenai Peninsula to mainland Alaska. Glacial remnants that can be seen today are Explorer, Middle, Byron, Burns and Shakespeare glaciers. Portage Valley is also home to the Begich Boggs Visitor Center, a world-class visitor center with a full-time interpretive staff and exhibits ready to inspire and explain the natural area.
Location
Trail River is located in Alaska
Directions
From Anchorage, go south on Seward Highway approximately 100 miles to Crown Point. Turn at Milepost 24.2 on Trail River Road for 2 miles to campground.
Address
Seward Ranger District, 33599 Ranger Station Spur
Seward, AK 99664
Coordinates
60.4161111 N
149.3813889 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Camping is good but the day use area is the best part
We enjoyed the camping here but the day use are was the real show stopper here! The lake is one of the most beautiful views in alaska in my opinion. facilities are clean and spacious. Picnic tables and fire pits at each spot.
- (13) View All
Magical Campground
My family used to frequent this ground and I recently revisited it.
There are two phenomenal aspects to this campground: 1) the lake, and 2) the inter-camp trails.
There are beautiful little paths between the camp sites that makes this place feel like a fairytale.
The lake is one of the most beautiful in the world, and virtually all yours.
Two important things to note: no cell service and insane numbers of mosquitos. I got a couple messages out, but that’s it.
- (6) View All
Good site separation
Limited facilities were clean- access to lake was available from several sites
1 mile in on Trail River Road
This is a huge campground. 91 spots, a group site and a loop just for RVs and can be booked online. The road out to this campground is bumpy so take it slow. There are many potholes in the dirt road to this campsite. I almost missed the turn headed here so watch for the Trail River Road sign. There are a number of pull throughs. I did like 2, 11, and 14 but there are lots of options. There are also some site like 4 and 5 that are together if there is more than one vehicle in your group. Cell Service: no Internet: no 2020 Cost: $18 Distance from Anchorage: 97 miles Best sites: 2, 11, 14 or any pull though Bug Factor (1 minimal to 10 too many to enjoy): 6
- (20) View All
The perfect find right by the highway
This campground is a must stop for any camper. Clean grounds, easy access, amazing views, and good privacy. Bring your kayak - an early morning paddle is what everyone needs.
Car Camp
Growing up we always had our annual car camp event here. The campground provides ample space for large group activities around the pavilion or your own little nook, tucked along the banks of the lakes.
this campground was so fun to have our gatherings at! we’d have kayak races, funny sack races, scavenger hunts and volley ball games
I basically grew up here
a lovely family campground.
Wonderful!
Really spacious and lots of space. The only thing is it is a little expensive! But when you're traveling, YOLO!
- (10) View All
Biggest campsite ever
This is probably the biggest campsite I have ever been to. There is an area where you can have multiple cars (i.e. 4 families) with a playground and canopy area. It was impressively large and well developed. The campsite also has a river that is connect, which is nice.
- (10) View All