How much does camping cost at Cooper Creek South?

Camping fees at Cooper Creek South are $23 - $33/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Cooper Creek South first-come first-served or reservation?

Cooper Creek South accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit Cooper Creek South?

Cooper Creek South is open May 22 to September 14. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Cooper Creek South?

Cooper Creek South does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Cooper Creek South have?

Cooper Creek South has 20 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Cooper Creek South?

Pets are not allowed at Cooper Creek South. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Cooper Creek South?

Cooper Creek South offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Dump Station. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Cooper Creek South?

Popular activities at Cooper Creek South include Fishing, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Cooper Creek South

Q: Can I have a campfire at Cooper Creek South?

Fire policies at Cooper Creek South: Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by purchasing firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.38

111 reviews

Seward Ranger District, 33599 Ranger Station Spur, Seward, AK 99664, USA

C+Report Card

Family FriendlyTent Camping

Featured in:Camping Near Kenai Fjords National Park#2 Summer Camping Alaska RV Camping Alaska +3 more

Quick Facts

400 ft

Price

$23 - $33/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Open season starts M...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

400 ft

Price

$23 - $33/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Open season starts M...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Cooper Creek South

$23.00 - $33.00 / night

Campsite Fees

MANAGEMENT: $33.00; RV NONELECTRIC: $23.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC- Double Site: $33.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $23.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation...

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Provider

(907) 522-8368 or (907) 288-3178

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Campground Map

Seward Ranger District, 33599 Ranger Station Spur, Seward, AK 99664, USA

Cooper Creek South

Seward Ranger District, 33599 Ranger Station Spur, Seward, AK 99664, USA

Nearby places

Seward (approximately 50 miles, 1 hour drive)

Soldotna (approximately 40 miles, 45 minutes drive)

Weather at Cooper Creek South

Current alerts(2)

Bears have damaged tents and soft-sided trailers in past years within these campgrounds. For your safety and the safety of others, please store all attractants - food, garbage, hygiene items, anything with a smell - within a hard-sided vehicle or in the storage locker provided…
Click here for more information on Chugach National Forest

Best Time to Camp at Cooper Creek South

Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable access, long daylight, and the full suite of activities — expect mild, wet-moderate weather with daytime highs typically 50–65°F (10–18°C) and 16–20+ hours of daylight in June–July. Salmon fishing, boating on the Kenai River, long hikes into the Chugach backcountry, and abundant wildlife viewing (bears, eagles, waterfowl) are all at their peak. Expect periodic rain and mosquitoes, and noticeably higher visitor numbers in July, so reservations and early starts are常 Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Peak season: long daylight, best access and reliable fishing/hiking (May–Sept/peak season).

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 22 to September 14. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open season starts May 23, 2025, and closes September 9, 2025.

About Cooper Creek South

Cooper Creek South is a U.S. Forest Service campground in Chugach National Forest near the confluence of Cooper Creek and the Kenai River, roughly 30 miles north of Seward. The small campground offers tent and RV sites with vault toilets, potable water, and a dump station, serving as a base for anglers targeting salmon runs and visitors exploring the Kenai Peninsula backcountry. Highway proximity means road noise, but the location delivers direct access to world-class fishing and wildlife viewing during the long-daylight summer season.

Cooper Creek South Campground caters to standard nonelectric campsites for a variety of camping preferences. RV camping is supported with gravel parking aprons.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable access, long daylight, and the full suite of activities — expect mild, wet-moderate weather with daytime highs typically 50–65°F (10–18°C) and 16–20+ hours of daylight in June–July. Salmon fishing, boating on the Kenai River, long hikes into the Chugach backcountry, and abundant wildlife viewing (bears, eagles, waterfowl) are all at their peak. Expect periodic rain and mosquitoes, and noticeably higher visitor numbers in July, so reservations and early starts are常 Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation400 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies terrain carved by ancient glaciers, with jagged Chugach peaks rising in the distance and glacier-fed streams visible from some sites. Spruce and cottonwood forests create overhead canopy and visual screening. The Kenai River runs nearby, supporting salmon runs that attract eagles and bears during summer months. At 400 feet elevation, the setting is relatively low and forested rather than alpine. Vegetation between sites varies: some spots have thick understory that blocks sightlines, while others offer less screening and more exposure to neighbors.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo onsite lodging accommodations, such as cabins or other hotel-style options, are mentioned.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay is 14 nights.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov online or through its mobile app.

AccessibilityAccessibility features are not explicitly described, but users mention 'friendly and helpful' hosts who assisted campers with specific needs.

Site SizeThe campsites are described as spacious, with one user noting, 'Our spot was huge and really felt like we had a good amount of privacy next to our neighbors.

PrivacyMany users mention good privacy between campsites due to vegetation. For example, 'Sites are very snug but the location is great!' and 'The sites were ready and exactly as expected.

Total Campsites20 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose sites near the creek to reduce highway noise. Avoid sites close to the road for added privacy.

Best CampsitesSite 18 gets mentioned repeatedly in reviews for its creek proximity, which cuts down on highway noise and adds moving water sounds. Sites closer to the Seward Highway will hear more traffic. Look for spots with heavier vegetation if privacy matters to you.

Need help booking Cooper Creek South?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Cooper Creek South Campground offers a blend of essential camping amenities in the Chugach National Forest at an elevation of 400 feet. The facility includes approximately 20 reservable campsites with features such as drinking water, vault toilets, picnic tables, campfire rings, and dumpsters. Parking aprons are gravel, and parking is limited. Notable amenities include a nearby dump station at Quartz Creek Campground that charges a fee.

Potable water

Dump station

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Cooper Creek South

Cooper Creek South offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Visitors can enjoy fishing for sockeye salmon on the Kenai and Russian Rivers, hiking and biking along the Resurrection Pass Trail, and wildlife viewing. Boating activities are also available.

Hiking4.0/5

Direct access to Resurrection Pass Trail (38 mi); scenic multi-day hiking and climbing routes.

Fishing4.0/5

Boating4.0/5

Boating supported for river fishing on the Kenai/Russian Rivers; campground serves anglers.

Wildlife viewing3.5/5

Wildlife viewing listed; salmon runs attract birds/animals though species not detailed.

Water Sports3.0/5

Winter Activities

Signature experiences

Photography4.0/5Varied photo subjects: peaks, glacier-fed streams, river vistas and wildlife during salmon runs.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not mentioned in the available information; vault toilets are explicitly provided.

Food Storage RequiredFood storage lockers are available at each campsite for bear safety.

Fire PolicyDon't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by purchasing firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.

Trash & RecyclingTrash facilities are available onsite, including dumpsters. However, one user suggested, 'It would be **REALLY NICE** if DNR/FS campsites had recycling containers.'

Cell CoverageNo explicit information is available on cell phone service; however, one user review states, 'I had strong enough cell signal the entire stay that I actually was able to stream a movie one rainy night when it was too cold and gloomy to do anything else.'

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.4

111 reviews

Recommended

Cooper Creek South is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

The campground is consistently praised for its cleanliness, privacy, and attentive camp hosts. Complaints focus on proximity to the highway resulting in road noise and occasional issues with campsite features such as large rocks obstructing RV access.

Review Summaries

Based on 111 reviews

What Campers Love

- Clean and well-maintained facilities - Friendly and helpful camp hosts - Beautiful location near Kenai and Russian Rivers - Spacious sites with good privacy - Great proximity to fishing and hiking...

Based on 111 reviews

Common Concerns

- Proximity to the highway causing noise - Lack of recycling facilities - Specific site concerns such as rocks obstructing RV parking - Some confusion with reservations and check-in process

Based on 111 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

- Site #18: Next to the creek, highly recommended for its noise-dampening quality. - Site #6: Noted for large rocks obstructing RV parking. - Site #21: Praised for its size and proximity to the river.

Based on 111 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

- Book sites near the creek to minimize highway noise. - Bring bear spray and store all attractants properly, as bear activity has been reported. - Select sites with better vegetation for more...

Based on 111 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Peak season (May-September) sees the highest usage, with consistent praise for fishing and hiking opportunities. Off-season camping is quieter but still enjoyable for its clean facilities and scenic...

Based on 111 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The campground is beautiful and I would love to come back here and camp!" - Nate Sims "Camped during the off-season at #18 which seems like the best spot because it’s next to the creek." - Mandy...

Based on 111 reviews

Accessibility Features

No accessibility-specific reviews are available.

Based on 111 reviews

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Cooper Creek South

$23.00 - $33.00 / night

Campsite Fees

MANAGEMENT: $33.00; RV NONELECTRIC: $23.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC- Double Site: $33.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $23.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation...

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(907) 522-8368 or (907) 288-3178

Go if

You want Kenai River fishing access and don't mind road sounds for the convenience of location.

Skip if

You need quiet seclusion or electric hookups at your site.

Nearby Campgrounds

Seward Ranger District, 33599 Ranger Station Spur, SEWARD, AK, USA, 99664

Russian River Campground sits in Chugach National Forest near Seward, Alaska, operated by the US Forest Service as a base camp for world-class salmon fishing. This large campground offers tent and RV sites with vault toilets, potable water, and a dump station, drawing anglers and hikers to the riverside trails and nearby falls. Summer brings mid-50s°F days, cool nights, and crowds chasing the legendary salmon runs.

Cooper Creek South

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

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Weather at Cooper Creek South

Current alerts(2)

Best Time to Camp at Cooper Creek South

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About Cooper Creek South

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Amenities available

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Featured in these camping guides

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Current alerts(2)

Best Time to Camp at Cooper Creek South

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Need help booking Cooper Creek South?

Amenities available

Things to do at Cooper Creek South

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews