Tenderfoot Creek Campground

The feel

Tenderfoot Creek Campground sits in a spruce and hemlock forest on a lake near the village of Moose Pass, with canoe-friendly water and mountain reflections. Campsites are nicely spaced along the eastern shore, and some sit directly on the lake. Tenderfoot Creek passes through the campground. Most sites are pull-through with gravel parking aprons.

Loons and bald eagles are around the lake, and moose, brown and black bears, mountain goats, lynx and wolves all live in the area. Firewood can be bought onsite, and the campground has fire pits, tables and a boat ramp.

What to expect

Layout and setting

34 to 35 sites with no hookups, spaced along the eastern shore under spruce and hemlock. Tenderfoot Creek passes through, and some sites sit directly on the lake.

Check-in and stay

Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM. Up to 8 people per site, and a maximum stay of 14 consecutive nights.

Parking and rig size

Most sites are pull-through with gravel parking aprons, with one vehicle per site. Sample limits: site 003 up to 72 ft (pull-through), site 013 up to 100 ft (pull-through), site 006 up to 45 ft (back-in).

Fees and reservations

$18 to $23 per night for a single site, and Recreation.gov adds a booking fee. Reservations open up to 180 days ahead.

Hazards

Moose, brown and black bears, lynx and wolves live in the area. Store all food in your vehicle or the lockers provided.

Bathrooms and water

Vault toilets and water are on site, along with tables, dumpsters and fire pits.

Season and access

Open 24 hours, mid-May to mid-September, and closed in winter because of access. Find it at Seward Highway milepost 46, near Summit Lake Lodge, about 81 miles south of Anchorage.

Mingo says

Plan your stay between mid-May and mid-September, when the campground is open 24 hours. Winter shuts it, so plan any trip inside that window.

Before you go

• Reserve on Recreation.gov up to 180 days ahead, and expect a booking fee on top of the nightly rate.
• Arrive after the 2:00 PM check-in, and be out by the 12:00 PM checkout.
• Keep all food in your vehicle or the lockers provided.
• Call the Seward Ranger District at (907) 288-3178, Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.