Exit Glacier Campground
The Quick Take
Exit Glacier Campground is about as bare-bones as national park camping gets -- and that's exactly the appeal. With only a dozen walk-in tent sites, no fees, and no reservations, this is old-school first-come-first-served camping at the doorstep of one of Alaska's most accessible glaciers. The trade-off is real: you get potable water, bear-proof food lockers, and a communal cooking shelter, but forget about showers, cell service, or anything resembling a plug. All food prep happens at the central shelter, not your site, which keeps bears out of camp but means midnight snack runs require a short walk. The campground fills fast on summer evenings, so this rewards early arrivals and flexible schedules. Best suited for hikers and glacier chasers who want to wake up minutes from the Harding Icefield Trail without paying a dime.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 12 sites are reservable.
What You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. No electrical hookups.
Accessibility
1 ADA-accessible campsites. Campsites #1 and #12 are accessible to wheelchairs via wide, level access paths. The vault toilet is also accessible from the paved parking lot. Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
Rules to Know
- Occupancy:Campers must be in a designated site and are limited to a maximum of two tents and/or eight people per site.
Pro Tips
In July and August, plan to arrive before early afternoon -- the campground routinely fills by evening, and there is no overflow or backup option nearby. Weekday arrivals give you the best odds of snagging a site.
The Harding Icefield Trail starts just up the road and is one of the premier day hikes in all of Alaska. Camping here lets you hit the trailhead at dawn before the crowds and the afternoon clouds roll in.
All cooking and food storage must happen at the communal shelter, not at your tent site -- bring a headlamp and layers for those chilly walks between your site and the kitchen area, even in summer. Bear canisters are not a substitute here; use the provided lockers.
Photos
NPS Photo / Ann Whitmore-Painter
NPS Photo / Justin Olson
NPS Photo / Ann Whitmore-PainterGetting There
Directions
The 12-site, tent-only campground is located just before the parking lot to the Exit Glacier Nature Center. Turn on to Herman Leirer Road (commonly called "Exit Glacier Road") at mile 3 of the Seward Highway - AK-9. Proceed 8 miles. The campground will be the first turn on the left, after crossing into the park, about 3/4 of a mile after the park's entrance sign. Google Map Coordinates: 60.1914453,-149.6193232
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