Upper Skilak Campground

At a glance

CampgroundCaravansTent SiteToilets

About this campsite

Campground: Upper Skilak Campground. Operated by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

What this place offers

Amenities

Toilets

Accommodation Types

Caravans

Tent Site

Location

Upper Skilak Campground•AK

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Common questions about Upper Skilak Campground

Is Upper Skilak Campground free to camp at?

Yes. Upper Skilak Campground in AK is a free camp, so there is no nightly fee to stay. There is no booking system for it, so plan on first in, best dressed, especially on long weekends. Facilities on site: caravans, tent site and toilets.

What facilities does Upper Skilak Campground have?

Upper Skilak Campground has caravans, tent site and toilets. Facilities at camps change, particularly after a wet season, so check the operator or the managing authority if one of them decides your trip. The list comes from the site record rather than a visit, so treat it as a guide.

Can you book Upper Skilak Campground online?

We hold no online booking link for Upper Skilak Campground, so it is not bookable through this page. For sites like this, turning up early in the day is the surest way to get a spot, particularly in peak season.

Where is Upper Skilak Campground?

Upper Skilak Campground sits in AK. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

Facilities at Upper Skilak Campground

Facilities recorded for Upper Skilak Campground
Facility	On site
Caravans	Yes
Tent Site	Yes
Toilets	Yes

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

7.2 km away

Hidden Lake Campground

Overview The Dena’ina people call this special place Yaghanen — “the good land.” Today, it is known as the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. From ice fields and glaciers to tundra, forests, and coastal wetlands, the refuge is often called “Alaska in miniature.” Biodiversity here is unusually high for this latitude due to the meeting of two distinct biomes: the Sitka spruce-dominated coastal rainforest and the westernmost reach of North America’s boreal forest. This rich ecosystem serves as a critical anchor for biodiversity on the Kenai Peninsula amidst regional growth, shifting fire regimes, and a changing climate. Wildlife & Fisheries Mammals: Home to moose, brown and black bears, lynx, wolves, and more. Birds: Nesting grounds for trumpeter swans and various waterfowl. Fisheries: The famed Kenai River originates within the refuge and is world-renowned for sockeye (red), and coho (silver) salmon, as well as Dolly Varden and rainbow trout. Camping on the Refuge The refuge offers a variety of roadside campgrounds to explore: Reservations: Most campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with the exception of the Skyview Loop in Hidden Lake Campground (which accepts reservations). Stay Limits: Maximum stay is 7 days in Hidden Lake Campground and 14 days elsewhere on the refuge. Discounts: Federal Interagency Senior and Access Passes provide a 50% discount on camping fees in refuge campgrounds. Plan Your Visit Website: kenai.fws.gov Phone: Refuge Visitor Center at (907) 743-9146 Recreation Hidden Lake Campground is located within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge's Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area—a destination featuring 100 miles of hiking trails, scenic overlooks, a 19-mile scenic drive, and multiple lakes for boating. Hiking: Burney's Trail Located across from Skyview Loop (Site #7), Burney’s Trail connects to the Hideout Trail for a continuous thru hike that ends at Mile 1.9 of Skilak Lake Road. Difficulty & Terrain: Short and relatively easy, with a moderately steep section near the end as it winds through aspen and spruce forest. Highlights: The upper portion follows the burn edge of the 2019 Swan Lake Fire and offers sweeping views of Hidden Lake, Skilak Lake, and the Kenai Mountains. Boating & Water Rules Boating: Hidden Lake is open to motorized and non-motorized boats. Personal watercraft (e.g., jet skis) are not permitted. Aircraft: No summertime landing of aircraft is allowed on Hidden Lake. Facilities Campsites & Reservations Hidden Lake Campground features 44 total campsites: Skyview Loop: 23 sites available by online reservation. Lake & Ridge Loops: Available on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment must be made on-site via cash or check at the self-serve "iron ranger" pay station. Hookups: No electric or water hookups are available. Water, Boating & Amenities Boat Launch: A free boat launch is available with adjacent parking for vehicles towing boat trailers. Water Supply: Hand pumps are located in each camp loop and near the boat launch. Note: Water is not guaranteed potable; please boil for at least 1 minute or treat before drinking. Dump Station: On-site RV dump station Day-Use Pavilions & Group Permits Two day-use pavilions with raised charcoal grills and picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups larger than 20 people require a Special Use Permit issued at Refuge headquarters. Natural Features Spanning 1.9 million acres across the wes

8.9 km away

Lower Skilak Campground

Campground: Lower Skilak Campground.

10.9 km away

Jean Lake Campground

Campground: Jean Lake Campground.

11.0 km away

Jean Lake Campground

Campground: Jean Lake Campground.

18.3 km away

Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, AK)

Overview Barber Cabin offers a remote lodging experience on the Eastern Kenai Peninsula of south-central Alaska. The rustic cabin has few amenities, but provides access to the great outdoors and a scenic mountain lake. There is great fishing in Lower Russian Lake, and hiking and biking trails abound. Wildlife viewing is good in the area as well, though visitors should watch out for bears. The cabin can be accessed by hiking, biking, skiing, horseback or floatplanes. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation Visitors enjoy boating and rainbow trout fishing on Lower Russian Lake. A rowboat with oars is provided at the cabin. Fishing equipment is not provided and permits are required to fish in the state ( click here for Alaska Department of Fish & Game regulations). The lake freezes during winter months. A variety of trails and unexplored areas exist near the cabin. Hikers and bikers can explore varying terrain, including muskeg, meadows and high-canopied forest along the 21-mile Russian Lakes Trail, toward the Upper Russian Lake Cabin. There is a high avalanche hazard on Russian Lakes Trail in the winter ( learn about avalanche safety ). Snow can remain on the trail until early June. Hunting is popular along the trail and in the surrounding area. Facilities The accessible log cabin has bunk space for six and a maximum occupancy of eight people. It is equipped with counter space, table, benches and a wood stove for heat. A splitting maul and hand saw are available. An outhouse is also provided. There is no electricity, potable water, mattresses, bedding, cooking utensils or cut firewood at the cabin. Visitors should bring sleeping bags and pads, a cook stove, cooking gear and food. Water taken from the lake should be treated or boiled before consumption. Natural Features The cabin is close to Cooper Landing off the Sterling Highway, in a fairly flat area on the east shore Lower Russian Lake. It is surrounded by a scattered spruce forest, and meadows with shrubs and brush, providing scenic mountain views. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area, including moose, black and brown bears and wolves. The surrounding area has a particularly high concentration of bears. For more information on access and regulations pertaining to this cabin, trail conditions, safety precautions and outdoor safety and ethics , please contact the Seward Ranger District.