Bertha Creek Campground

Star4.53
7 reviews
Bertha Creek Campground
$0.00 - $0.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Fee information not provided for this specific campground. General notes mention fees may vary by activity and location.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

Share this campground
Recreation.gov
Provider
(907) 783-3242N/A

About this campground

Tucked away along the scenic Seward Highway, Bertha Creek Campground offers an intimate escape into the heart of Chugach National Forest. This hidden gem features just 12 sites arranged along a peaceful dirt-road loop, where the gentle murmur of Bertha Creek provides a natural soundtrack to your wilderness retreat. Each site comes equipped with the essentials—picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, and hand-pump water during summer months—allowing you to disconnect from the modern world while staying comfortably situated. As visitor Kim-Son Nguyen notes, this small campground's location 'next to a lovely creek' creates the perfect balance of accessibility and seclusion.
Bertha Creek Campground is a small, first-come, first-served facility with 12 well-separated campsites. It accommodates vehicle camping, small RVs, and tents. Primitive camping options are mentioned nearby but are not part of the official campground.
Weather and SeasonsSummer transforms Bertha Creek into an outdoor paradise, with long Alaska days perfect for hiking, wildlife watching, and creek-side relaxation. All campground amenities operate fully during these warmer months, making it the ideal season for your visit. Winter brings dramatic change to this mountain landscape, with heavy snowfall often exceeding 10 inches in just a week, creating a snow-laden wonderland that's best admired from afar unless you're prepared for extreme winter camping conditions.
ElevationPerched high in the majestic Kenai Mountains, Bertha Creek Campground offers that crisp mountain air and cooler temperatures that make summer camping so refreshing. The elevated setting provides stunning vantage points of the surrounding peaks while keeping you comfortably nestled in the protective embrace of the forest below.
Natural Features and SceneryWhere Bertha and Granite Creeks converge in a symphony of rushing water, this campground sits like a natural amphitheater surrounded by towering peaks and dense forest. The open canopy allows glimpses of steep mountain walls that frame your camping experience, while a small waterfall adds its voice to the creek's constant melody. Visitor Erika Douglass captures it perfectly: 'Absolutely beautiful, peaceful campground with Bertha Creek and a small waterfall.' The combination of water features, mountain views, and forest setting creates a photographers' paradise and a naturalist's dream.
Geological RegionNestled within the rugged Kenai Mountains near the renowned Turnagain Pass, Bertha Creek Campground occupies a unique geological crossroads where two mountain creeks have carved their paths through ancient rock. The surrounding steep mountains showcase the raw power of glacial sculpting, while the forested valley floor where Bertha and Granite Creeks meet tells a gentler story of water's patient work through millennia. This dramatic landscape offers campers a front-row seat to Alaska's ongoing geological drama.

Campsite details

AccessibilityAccessibility details are not mentioned in the available sources.
Sites SizeSites are described as vehicle-compatible, suitable for small RVs, and tents.
Sites PrivacySites are described as "well separated and have lots of privacy," according to a user review.
Total Campsites12 campsites
Recommended Campsites"Get there early as there aren’t a lot of sites." - User Review by Thomas Mullens.
Best CampsitesUser reviews suggest sites near the creek are most desirable.

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit
"Visitors can camp for up to 14 days, but then they must leave." - User review from Kraig Klaar.
Guests Allowed Per Site
"The sites are well separated and have lots of privacy."- User Review by Kim-Son Nguyen
Groups
Group camping is not mentioned or supported at this campground.
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed

Site layoutSingle dirt-road loop with well-separated sites offering privacy.
Open and Closed Season"Vault toilets, water, and trash services are only available during summer months."
Reservation Platforms"First-come, first-served only; QR code payments may be available via Recreation.gov mobile app."
Walk-in AvailabilityAvailable as first-come, first-served only, and typically fills early on Saturday mornings according to user reviews. Sites are generally accessible during weekdays.
Cancellation Policy"Cancellations close to the start date may incur a late cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's fee."

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Food storage lockers
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Bertha Creek Campground offers opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, mountain biking, berry picking, and even recreational gold panning along Bertha Creek. The confluence of the creeks provides a peaceful setting and opportunities to explore the surrounding natural beauty.
Hiking
"We didn’t get a chance to do any hiking but I’ve heard it’s great!" Users also mention nearby trails, such as Johnston Pass Trailhead 1.5 miles south and Turnagain Pass Trail 3 miles north, which offer hiking and biking opportunities.
Biking
Mountain biking is mentioned as an activity. The nearby Johnston Pass Trail and Turnagain Pass Trail are specifically noted as being suitable for biking.
Wildlife viewing
Wildlife viewing is highlighted, with opportunities to see wildflowers and possibly other wildlife along trails.
Winter Activities
Winter-specific activities are not mentioned, but weather data suggests heavy snow and cold temperatures during this season.
Water Sports
Water sports are not applicable, but recreational gold panning is mentioned as an activity on creek gravel bars.

Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed
  • Campfires permitted within provided fire rings. Follow bear safety guidelines for food storage.

Hazards

General hazards"Kenai Peninsula and Chugach Mountains are home to a large Brown Bear population, especially during Salmon runs. Bring bear spray or a firearm." - User Review by Kraig Klaar.

Weather forecast

41
°F
Oct 11
Saturday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%

Gentle breeze, perfect for outdoor activities

Humidity: 68%

Moderately humid conditions

Wind: 2.7 mph

Gentle breeze, perfect for outdoor activities

Overcast
7-Day Forecast

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Daily & Hourly Insights

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Temperature Trends

Visualize how temperatures shift over the month to help pick the most comfortable days for your trip.

Precipitation Trends

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Weather Summaries

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Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Emergency Services

For general information and emergencies, visitors can contact the main office in Girdwood, AK at 145 Forest Station Road, P.O. Box 129, Girdwood, AK 99587. Phone: (907) 783-3242.

Good to know

Trash and recyclingSeasonal trash collection is provided during summer months, but no details on recycling facilities are given.
Proximity to water featuresLocated at confluence of Bertha and Granite Creeks. "Kiddos played on the creek banks for hours!" - User Review by Kristi Ellsworth.
Common complaints"No cellular service." - User Review by Jerry Morey.
Host"No camp hosts." - User Review by Kim-Son Nguyen.

Campground Map

Driving directionsBertha Creek Campground can be found at mile post 65.4 of the Seward Highway. The campground is 61.6 miles south of Anchorage and 65.4 miles north of Seward.
The campground is located directly off the Seward Highway, making it easily accessible. However, it is a remote no-cellphone-service area nestled next to a creek. The road is paved but may experience seasonal challenges.
Nearby places
Anchorage (61.6 miles, approximate travel time not provided)
Seward (65.4 miles, approximate travel time not provided)
Nearby supplies
Closest supplies are likely located in Anchorage or Seward, approximately 61.6 miles south and 65.4 miles north, respectively. No nearby supply information is provided.

Camper Reviews

4.5
7 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
Bertha Creek Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
Bertha Creek Campground is highly praised for its peaceful setting, proximity to creeks, and privacy. It is described as a "small and completely lovely campground" with "well-separated" sites and no road noise due to the creek. Visitors enjoy the "idyllic" and "beautiful" surroundings.
Review Summaries
Based on 7 reviews

What Campers Love

Users highlight the privacy of sites, peaceful environment, and the beauty of the campground. "Small campground with about 12 sites on a single dirt road loop, next to a lovely creek." "The rapid...
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Based on 7 reviews

Common Concerns

Some users note the lack of amenities, such as no cell phone service, no camp host, and limited facilities. "This is a remote no cellphone service campground."
Based on 7 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

"Get there early as there aren’t a lot of sites" due to the first-come, first-served policy. Bring bear spray or a firearm (where legally allowed) due to the area's large bear population.
Based on 7 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews focus on the peaceful and beautiful summer experience, highlighting limited site availability and the cold nights due to glacial-fed creeks.
Based on 7 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Fabulous camping ground, beautiful setting, peaceful and idyllic." "Hand pump for water, vault toilets, and bear boxes." "The rapid creek blocks out all highway noise and my kiddos played on the...
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Based on 7 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific details are not available in the provided information.
Based on 7 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features are not mentioned in user reviews.
Based on 7 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No specific reviews about pet policies or experiences are provided.
Based on 7 reviews

Last updated August 10, 2025

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