Black Bear Campground

How does a quiet, intimate campground set beneath towering spruce trees, just a stone’s throw from glacial trails and fish-filled creeks, sound for your next adventure? Black Bear Campground in Alaska’s Portage Valley offers 12 shaded sites ideal for tent or small vehicle camping (RVs not recommended). The facility emphasizes simplicity with vault toilets, hand-pumped water, picnic tables, fire rings, and bear lockers, making it perfect for campers seeking a genuine connection to nature.

Located about a mile from the Williwaw Fish Viewing Platform and the trailhead to Byron Glacier, this campground is surrounded by rugged beauty and fascinating wildlife. The scenic Trail of Blue Ice meanders nearby, providing a serene path for biking and hiking, while Portage Creek’s Class II whitewater is a haven for non-motorized boating enthusiasts. Within a 30-minute radius, visitors can discover the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center or venture through the iconic Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel to Whittier and the pristine waters of Prince William Sound.

Black Bear Campground offers an excellent base for day trips or weekend getaways, particularly from June to September. With its rich ecosystem, proximity to Portage Glacier, and a balance of solitude and accessibility, it defies the notion that camping close to Anchorage means sacrificing tranquility.