Williwaw Campground

The feel

Firewood can be sparse in those woods.

A short walk from camp, a platform over the creek looks down on spawning salmon. The easy Williwaw Nature Trail starts there and runs half a mile to the Williwaw ponds, and it connects to the Trail of Blue Ice toward the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center, about one mile away. Moose, brown and black bears, mountain goats, lynx, bald eagles and wolves live in the valley.

What to expect

Check-in and stay

The maximum stay is 14 consecutive nights.

Crowds and best time

Salmon travel up the creek to spawn from early August through mid-November.

Parking and rig size

Paved sites with pull-through style parking pads suit RVs and large motorhomes. No hookups or dump station.

Fees and reservations

Single sites run $18 to $23 and double sites $28 to $33 per night. Half the sites can be reserved on Recreation.gov, which adds a booking fee, and the other half are first-come, first-served.

Kids

The campground loops are generally serene and fun for kids, and the nature trail is easy.

Hazards

Brown and black bears live in the valley. Bear-proof dumpsters and food containers are provided.

Bathrooms and water

Vault toilets and hand pumps for drinking water.

Season and access

Generally available mid-May to September 30. In the off-season there is no water, no trash service and no fees, and toilets may be unavailable. At mile 4.1 of Portage Glacier Road, which leaves the Seward Highway at milepost 78.9.

Mingo says

Aim for August or later in the season to watch salmon run the creek from the platform. Book ahead for peak season, since reservations open months in advance and half the sites are walk-in.

Before you go

• Call the Glacier Ranger District at 907-783-3242, or Recreation.gov at 1-877-444-6777, to check availability.
• Bring your own firewood.
• Keep food in the bear-proof containers.
• Pack out all garbage in the off-season, when there is no trash service.

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