Cooper Creek South

Star4.45
111 reviews
Seward Ranger District, 33599 Ranger Station Spur, Seward, AK 99664, USA
Family FriendlyFishing

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

Opens U.S. Forest Service site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Cooper Creek South
$23.00 - $33.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Fees range from $23 to $33 per night depending on the site type. Additional reservation service fees may apply: $8 for online bookings, $9 through...
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Standard Site Fee$23.00
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

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Provider
(907) 522-8368 or (907) 288-3178
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What Campers Say

4.45

Recommended

Based on 111 reviews

12 Google reviews

Most mentioned

privacycleanspaciouslocation

Some mention

noise

"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."

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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

Driving directionsFrom Anchorage, go south on Seward Highway to Sterling Highway. Turn towards Soldotna at the 'Y' junction. Cooper Creek Campground is at Milepost 50.7 of the Sterling Highway, on the opposite side of the river.
The campground is accessible via paved roads. It is situated close to Sterling Highway, making it convenient for travelers. However, proximity to the highway may result in noise disturbances, as noted in user reviews.
Nearby places
Seward (approximately 50 miles, 1 hour drive)
Soldotna (approximately 40 miles, 45 minutes drive)
Nearby supplies
Within a 5-mile drive, visitors can access a grocery store, laundry facilities, gas stations, charter fishing, ebike rentals, and tourist shopping. Additional amenities like a nearby restaurant are within walking distance.

Best Time to Camp at Cooper Creek South

Summer brings the sweet spot of Alaskan weather to Cooper Creek South, with pleasantly mild to moderate temperatures that invite long days of exploration. While the occasional rain shower keeps the forest lush and rivers flowing strong, gusty winds sometimes sweep through the valley, adding drama to the landscape. As autumn yields to winter, the campground transforms into a snow-draped wonderland where temperatures plunge and pristine powder blankets the forest floor, creating an entirely different but equally magical experience for hardy cold-weather campers.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
5.0 / 5
Top 10% in AK

Summer is 'sweet spot' with mild weather, peak season and best fishing/hiking access.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Open into early September; fall fishing and fewer crowds are praised in reviews.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Opens May 23 (late spring only); limited spring availability but season begins then.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground season closed outside May 23–Sep 9; winter use not supported.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 23, 2025 - September 9, 2025. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open season starts May 23, 2025, and closes September 9, 2025.
  • Current Alerts: Emergency prohibitions on tent and soft-sided vehicle camping may be issued due to bear incidents.

About Cooper Creek South

Nestled at the confluence of Cooper Creek and the mighty Kenai River, Cooper Creek South beckons adventurers seeking tranquility in Alaska's untamed wilderness. This intimate 20-site campground sits beneath a canopy of towering spruce and cottonwood trees at 400 feet elevation, where the gentle murmur of flowing water creates nature's perfect soundtrack. Here in the heart of the Chugach National Forest, you'll discover a serene basecamp that perfectly balances accessibility with the peaceful solitude that makes Alaska camping unforgettable.
Cooper Creek South Campground caters to standard nonelectric campsites for a variety of camping preferences. RV camping is supported with gravel parking aprons.
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Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
  • Check-in is generally after noon
  • exact time not specified.
Check-out
  • Check-out is before 11:00 AM
  • exact time not specified.
Stay Limit
Maximum consecutive stay is 14 nights.

Amenities available

Potable water
Dump station
Fire rings
Food storage lockers
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

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.
HikingThe nearby Resurrection Pass Trail is a 38-mile scenic trail suitable for hikers and bikers, climbing from 500 to 2,600 feet.
FishingFishing for sockeye (red) salmon is highly popular at the nearby Kenai and Russian Rivers. Both boat and bank fishing opportunities are available.
BikingBiking is allowed on the Resurrection Pass Trail, which offers a 38-mile adventure through scenic landscapes.
BoatingBoating activities are supported, particularly for fishing on nearby rivers.
Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is listed as an activity, though specific species are not detailed.
Winter Activities
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBears are a recurring concern; attractants must be stored properly. Beetle infestations have caused tree clearing, affecting shade and scenery.
Active AlertsEmergency prohibitions on tent and soft-sided vehicle camping may be issued due to bear incidents.
Food Storage RequiredFood storage lockers are available at each campsite for bear safety.

Weather at Cooper Creek South

Reviews

4.5
111 reviews
Recommended
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...
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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

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...
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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...
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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...
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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

Accessibility Features

No accessibility-specific reviews are available.
Based on 111 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No information is available regarding pet policies or pet-friendly features.
Based on 111 reviews

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Last updated January 5, 2026
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