Turnagain Arm and Seward Highway

The 45-minute drive from Anchorage to Girdwood along the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet is one of America’s greatest drives. The Seward Highway connects Anchorage to the smaller communities of Girdwood, Seward, and Kenai. It is a National Forest Scenic Byway and one of 15 roads in the United States that have been designated as an "All-American Road”.

The Turnagain Arm portion of the drive is the most dramatic with mountains on both sides of the inlet that soar to an incredible 5000 feet. There are small communities along the arm: Bird, Indian, Girdwood and Portage Valley (which is the portal to Whittier). A hikers world, Turnagain Arm has here are six very nice HIKING TRAILS that are easily accessible.

With multiple pull-outs along the highway, There's a good chance of viewing dall sheep and eagles or even the possibility of spotting one of the 350 Beluga whales that call Cook Inlet home.

RV and Camping on the Arm

The Seward Highway has multiple pull outs for people to take pictures and enjoy the beautiful mountain vistas. Some people will stay in these pullouts overnight while RV camping but it can be quite busy with other cars and campers near by. While it’s not encouraged to just RV along the highway utilizing the pullouts, it’s also not illegal.

There are multiple camping areas with tables and parking spots in Bird, Girdwood and Portage. However, none of the state and federal campsites along the Arm have electrical or sewer connections. Bird Creek Motel has a few camping sites with RV electrical connections but not a dump station.

Camping Areas

Bird Creek

Bird Creek Motel and RV Park

The Bird Creek Motel and RV park has eight parking spaces. The lots are located on the northside of the property, with willow trees lining the street for a more private setting. We offer 20-amp power, Wi-FI and water. Our RV park does not have a dump, laundry or showers.

Bird Creek Campground

The Bird Creek Campground is managed and ran by the State of Alaska/Department of Natural Resources. They do not take reservations and camping sites are first come, first served basis.

They have 24 campsites with a 35’ RV limit. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. There are stand-along bathroom facilities with water access. Prices vary based upon size of RV but averages $20 per night with a 7-day limit. Firewood is not available and you must bring your own.

DIRECTIONS: Both of these campgrounds are Southeast of Anchorage about 25 miles (Mile 101 Seward Highway) just east of Bird Creek Bridge. They are 10 miles north of Girdwood.

Bird Creek has a strong Silver Salmon run and is quite busy from the end of July to mid August.

Girdwood

Girdwood has very limited camping and RV sites. The Anchorage Parks and Recreations manages tent sites near the ballpark and Forest Fairground. However, there are no RV camping sites in this area.

Crow Creek Gold Mine has 8 camping spots for RVs, campers and tents. All of them have fire pits and picnic tables but there are no hook up for electrical or sewage dumping. No water! They are right next to Lower Winner Creek Trail and the setting is beautiful in the trees. Visit Crow Creek Gold Mine while you are there!

DIRECTIONS:

MOA Camp Sites - Approximately 40 miles from Anchorage in Girdwood. Take Alyeska Highway from Seward Highway to Egloff Drive and take a right. Follow the road around to the Pavillion. The campsites are next to the Pavillion. To Schedule a night at the campsite contact Girdwood Parks and Recreation

Alyeska Resort RV Camping: Approximatley 35 miles from Anchorage in Girdwood. Take Alyeska Highway from the Seward Highway to Alberg Ave. Take a right and head into the parking lot.

Crow Creek Gold Mine Camping Grounds: 8 spots for camping. Reservations required.

Portage Valley

Portage Valley is gorgeous and is surrounded by steep, mountain slopes. At the head of the Valley is Portage Lake and the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center. The Visitor Center educates the public on glaciers and discusses the Portage Glacier at the head of Port Lake. The Glacier has receded significantly and is no longer visible from the Visitor Center or from the road. But icebergs can routinely be seen floating in the lake during the summer months. In the summer, people can hike the Portage Pass Trail to get a view of the glacier however, access to the trail is on the Whittier side of the tunnel.

The Whittier Tunnel is also at the very end of Portage Glacier Road. Whittier is a small seaside town that hosts a cruise ship port, small shops, sight-seeing operations, fishing fleet and the Alaska Railroad. Getting to Whittier is half the fun as Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is the longest tunnel in the United States at 2.5 miles.

Portage Valley Campgrounds

Portage Valley has two major campgrounds which are managed by the U.S. Forest Service and they are only opened in the summer months.. Both campgrounds have RV parking and tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings and they accept reservations. However, they do not have electrical or sewer connections and people must bring their own firewood. Williwaw and Black Bear Campgrounds are connected via an array of bike paths and boardwalks that meander through the valley . These trails are quite popular with walkers, hikers and bikers.

Williwaw Campground

The Williwaw Campground is located at mile 4.0 of the Portage Glacier Road. Williwaw Campground is larger and offers 60 well maintained campsites, an onsite campground host, water and toilets. In late summer through early fall, campers have the opportunity to observe spawning sockeye, chum and coho salmon from an accessible boardwalk and viewing platform on Portage Creek. To make reservations contact the U.S Forest Service at 907-877-444-6777or visit Recreation.gov for Williwaw Campground.

Black Bear Campground

Black Bear Campground is located at mile 3.0 of the Portage Glacier Road. Black Bear Campground offers 12 campsites, water and toilets. This small loop campground is suitable for vehicle camping and tents but not RVs. There is an excellent view of the glaciers hovering above in the canvases of the mountains that radiate an awesome ice blue hew that is well worth viewing. There is also lots of wildlife viewing in the area. First come, first serve. No reservation available.

Note: Portage Cabin and RV Park - This private campground is no longer operational for visitors.

Directions: From Anchorage travel south on the Seward Highway for approximately 50 miles to mile post 78.9. Take a left on Portage Glacier Road. Both these campgrounds are approximately 15 miles from Girdwood.