Big Bear Campground & RV Park

Palmer

The feel

The park now operates as the Anchorage N KOA Journey, formerly Big Bear Campground and RV Park. Its wooded sites sit on the Palmer-Wasilla line and take tents, RVs and cabins, with pull-through sites among them.

The sites are close together, and AK-3 traffic can be heard in the evenings. Showers, toilets, drinking water, laundry and a sanitary dump station are on site, and propane is stocked. Rigs up to 60 feet fit on 50-amp electric, water and sewer hookups. The park has two small fenced dog areas, and pets are allowed.

What to expect

Layout and setting: Wooded sites on the Palmer-Wasilla line. Site types include tent, RV, standard, cabin and tent cabin, with pull-through sites, and the sites sit close together.
Parking and rig size: Rigs up to 60 feet fit. Hookups are 50-amp electric, water and sewer.
Fees and reservations: Reservable through koa.com/campgrounds/palmer/ or (907) 745-7445. Nightly rates have ranged from $26 to $30, $40 to $65 and $86, so confirm when you book. A $20 early-arrival fee has been reported.
Dogs: Pets are allowed, with two small fenced dog areas. Leash rules are strictly enforced.
Hazards: Highway noise from AK-3 in the evenings.
Cell signal: T-Mobile has none, Verizon LTE has some, and AT&T 5G is excellent. WiFi is available.
Bathrooms and water: Showers, toilets and drinking water on site, plus laundry and a sanitary dump station.
Season and access: Open year round. Drive in from the Parks Highway, 1 mi N from the Glenn Hwy junction, 1/4 mi W on Trunk Rd, 3/4 mi N on Fireweed, then 300 feet W on Church St.

Mingo says

Plan for a winter stay if you need one, since the park is open year round. Pick your site with the highway in mind, since the evening noise is the trade-off.