How much does camping cost at Porcupine?

Camping fees at Porcupine range from $23/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Porcupine first-come first-served or reservation?

Porcupine 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 Porcupine?

Porcupine is open May 15 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 Porcupine?

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

Can I have a campfire at Porcupine?

Fire policies at Porcupine: Fires allowed in campfire rings only.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Is there cell service at Porcupine?

Cell phone service at Porcupine is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Porcupine have?

Porcupine has 34 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Porcupine?

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

What amenities are available at Porcupine?

Porcupine offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Porcupine?

Popular activities at Porcupine include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Porcupine (Ak)

4.51

218 reviews

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

Family FriendlyTent Camping

Featured in:Family-Friendly Campgrounds Alaska#3 Best Campgrounds Alaska Beach Camping Alaska +3 more

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

164 ft

Price

$23/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

34 campsites

Season

Open season begins M...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

164 ft

Price

$23/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

34 campsites

Season

Open season begins M...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Porcupine (Ak)

$23.00 - $23.00 / night

Campsite Fees

RV NONELECTRIC: $23.00; TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC: $23.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

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Provider

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

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

Porcupine (Ak)

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

Nearby places

Anchorage - 70 miles

Hope - ~20 minutes walk (~1 mile)

Weather at Porcupine (Ak)

Current alerts(6)

An extra vehicle fee of $8.00 per day will be collected at the campground.
Be bear aware; keep all food out of site in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from area after eating.
Click here for more information on Chugach National Forest.
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.

Best Time to Camp at Porcupine (Ak)

Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather and full campground services: expect mild, maritime conditions with daytime highs around 60–65°F and cool nights near the low 50s. Long daylight, steady access (site open May 17–Sept 13 and reservations available late June–mid September), and minimal snow make hiking, biking, fishing, and bore-tide/wildlife viewing all at their peak. Crowds are moderate to busy on summer weekends and holidays, so plan reservations for July–early August and arrive midweek, Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Peak season, pleasant highs (60–65°F); popular though flies/mosquitoes noted in July/Aug.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 15 to September 14. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open season begins May 17, 2025; reservations start June 27, 2025, and close September 13, 2025.

About Porcupine (Ak)

Porcupine sits along Turnagain Arm in Chugach National Forest, a mid-sized U.S. Forest Service campground near the town of Hope. Spacious, well-separated sites offer scenic views and access to trails for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing. The campground operates seasonally during peak summer months with vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings.

Porcupine Campground offers both tent and RV camping options, with certain sites offering exceptional views of Turnagain Arm.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather and full campground services: expect mild, maritime conditions with daytime highs around 60–65°F and cool nights near the low 50s. Long daylight, steady access (site open May 17–Sept 13 and reservations available late June–mid September), and minimal snow make hiking, biking, fishing, and bore-tide/wildlife viewing all at their peak. Crowds are moderate to busy on summer weekends and holidays, so plan reservations for July–early August and arrive midweek, Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation164 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryPaper birch forest covers the campground at 164 feet elevation, with views across Turnagain Arm to the mountains beyond. Porcupine Creek runs through glacial deposits nearby. The arm's tidal fluctuations are dramatic. Mudflats appear at low tide, and bore tides push upriver when conditions align. Beluga whales follow the tides. Eagles hunt over the water. One reviewer noted generous spacing and great views across the arm. When the birch leaves are out, it's hard to see neighboring campsites.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere is no lodge-style accommodation available; the campground caters exclusively to tent and RV campers.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14 consecutive nights permitted per visit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Limit of 2 vehicles per site
general tent/RV occupancy unspecified.

Groups

Group camping is not specifically mentioned.

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 website, app, or contact center.

AccessibilityVault toilets are accessible. There are no further detailed descriptions of accessibility features for individuals with disabilities.

Site SizeCampsites are described as spacious in reviews. A user notes, 'The sites are very private, which is great.' Another states, 'Generous spacing of campsites, great views across Turnagain Arm.

PrivacySites offer a high level of privacy. User reviews emphasize features like 'hard to see other campers when foliage is in bloom' and 'very secluded and private.

Total Campsites34 campsites

Recommended SitesTent sites on the inlet side (1-4) provide the best sun exposure and water views. Sites 10, 12, and 14 are recommended for RVs due to their scenic vistas.

Best CampsitesTent sites 1–4 get recommended for privacy and water views. RV sites 10, 12, and 14 offer good views across the arm. Reviewers suggest tent sites over RV spots if you want the best sightlines to Turnagain. Bring leveling blocks if you're in an RV.

Need help booking Porcupine (Ak)?

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Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Porcupine Campground offers a range of essential amenities catering to both tent and RV campers. Highlights include an accessible vault toilet, drinking water available from a hand-operated well, fire rings for campfires, picnic tables, trash collection via a dumpster, and a scenic overlook of Turnagain Arm. Firewood is sold on-site for convenience. Per user reviews, the campground is clean and well-maintained, with comments like 'The restrooms are clean and stocked,' and 'Nice paved sites.' However, a few reviews mention issues with maintenance, such as overgrown vegetation and full dumpsters during certain times.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Porcupine Campground offers a robust set of outdoor recreational activities across various levels of intensity, including hiking, fishing, biking, wildlife viewing, and water sports. The Gull Rock Trail is a major highlight for hikers and bikers, described as '5.1 miles along the south shore of Turnagain Arm from the end of the Hope Highway to a rocky peninsula.'

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Fire PolicyFires allowed in campfire rings only.

Trash & RecyclingTrash collection is available through a dumpster on-site. However, one user review mentions issues with trash management: 'Trash should be taken to dump site in town of Hope; dumpster was full.'

Cell CoverageCell phone service is available per user reviews, with one camper writing, 'Has cell service (writing this from my camping chair lol).'

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

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.5

218 reviews

Top-Rated

Porcupine (Ak) is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

User ratings are generally positive, with an average sentiment of 4.326. Campers consistently praise the campground's scenic views, privacy, and accessibility to trails like Gull Rock.

Review Summaries

Based on 218 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviews highlight clean and spacious campsites, accessible trails, clean vault toilets, scenic views of Turnagain Arm, and friendly hosts. 'Peaceful and clean location,' 'Nice spacing. Hard to see...

Based on 218 reviews

Common Concerns

Negative feedback includes complaints about maintenance issues like overgrown vegetation and full dumpsters. Some reviewers also mention flies and mosquitos as significant annoyances during warmer...

Based on 218 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

RV sites 10, 12, and 14 are praised for their views of Turnagain Arm. Tent walk-in sites 1-4 are described as 'a dream.' Site 20 accommodates large RVs, while site 18 is noted for its secluded nature.

Based on 218 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend visiting during weekdays for less crowded sites, bringing leveling blocks for RVs, and staying in tent sites for the best water views. 'Visiting during the week is a huge bonus,'...

Based on 218 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months are the most popular for camping, but some campers note mosquito issues in warmer weather. Flies are mentioned as a persistent problem in July and August.

Based on 218 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Generous spacing of campsites, great views across Turnagain Arm and true peace and quiet.' 2. 'Vault toilets are clean and stocked daily.' 3. 'Bring a bike to ride to a local pub or restaurant in...

Based on 218 reviews