Is Bartlett Cove Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Bartlett Cove Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Bartlett Cove Campground before I book?

Yes! Bartlett Cove Campground has 5 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Bartlett Cove Campground?

Bartlett Cove Campground is open Season Year Round. 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 Bartlett Cove Campground?

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

Are dogs allowed at Bartlett Cove Campground?

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

What amenities are available at Bartlett Cove Campground?

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

Bartlett Cove Campground

3.92

13 reviews

PO Box 140, Gustavus, AK, 99826, USA

Top 13% in AKSummer

Scenic Views

Featured in:Mountain Camping Alaska

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

20 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

WiFi

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

20 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

WiFi

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Bartlett Cove Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(907) 697-2627glba_administration@nps.gov

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Bartlett Cove Campground

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Campground Map

PO Box 140, Gustavus, AK, 99826, USA

Bartlett Cove Campground

PO Box 140, Gustavus, AK, 99826, USA

Nearby places

Gustavus is the nearest city with postal services and basic amenities

distance details are not explicitly provided.

Weather at Bartlett Cove Campground

Best Time to Camp at Bartlett Cove Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the best combination of mild weather (typically 45–60°F / 7–15°C), long daylight, and full access to Glacier Bay’s boat- and kayak-based activities — glacier viewing, wildlife watching (humpback whales, sea otters, seals, and abundant seabirds), and ranger programs are at their peak. Visitor services in Gustavus and park boat tours operate on their fullest summer schedules, making logistics easier and day trips into the bay straightforward. Expect moderate crowds at the campground, Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

5.0 / 5

Top 13% in AK

Summer is the best window: 45–60°F, long daylight, boat tours and ranger programs active.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Season Year Round

About Bartlett Cove Campground

Bartlett Cove Campground sits at low elevation within Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, operated by the National Park Service near Gustavus. This primitive tent campground serves as base camp for glacier viewing, whale watching, and kayak expeditions into the bay. Reviewers praise the privacy, modern vault toilets, and complimentary firewood at each site.

Bartlett Cove Campground is a walk-in, tent-only campground, free for visitors and located in a scenic area near the shoreline. It is not reservable and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the best combination of mild weather (typically 45–60°F / 7–15°C), long daylight, and full access to Glacier Bay’s boat- and kayak-based activities — glacier viewing, wildlife watching (humpback whales, sea otters, seals, and abundant seabirds), and ranger programs are at their peak. Visitor services in Gustavus and park boat tours operate on their fullest summer schedules, making logistics easier and day trips into the bay straightforward. Expect moderate crowds at the campground, Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: December, January, February

Elevation20 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryDense Sitka spruce and western hemlock forests meet rocky shoreline at 20 feet elevation. The campground overlooks Glacier Bay's protected waters, where humpback whales, sea otters, seals, and bald eagles appear regularly. Morning mist clings to moss-draped trees. The bay itself is part of a 3.3-million-acre UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 1,000 miles of coastline, advancing and retreating glaciers, and fjords carved by ancient ice. The land here rises nearly two inches per year as it rebounds from departed glaciers.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe campground does not have traditional lodging, but it is located near Glacier Bay Lodge, which provides additional amenities like showers.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are explicitly detailed.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Stays are limited to 14 days.

Groups

Group sites are not referenced in the information provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

AccessibilityWheelbarrows are provided to assist with transporting gear. Detailed information about access for individuals with disabilities is not available.

Site SizeThe sites are described as spacious and well-maintained, although no numeric dimensions are provided.

PrivacyReviews highlight the high level of privacy at the campsites. Aaron Pressel mentioned, 'Very clean, very private, excellent views.

Recommended SitesTent camping is ideal due to the lack of access for RVs and vehicles. Sites along the shoreline offer optimal views of Bartlett Cove.

Amenities available

The campground facilities include bear-proof food storage caches, a fire-pit with free firewood, a small warming shelter. There are no utilities available. There is one wheelchair accessible vault toilet available, and at the nearby Visitor Information Station (1/4 mile), there are two modern restrooms that are fully accessible.

Potable water

WiFi

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Bartlett Cove Campground offers a serene environment that caters to tent campers who enjoy natural and scenic beauty. Activities are centered around enjoying the nearby shore and exploring the surrounding area.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at the campground. Visitors must rely on vault toilets, which multiple users describe as clean and well-maintained.

Food Storage RequiredBear-proof food storage lockers are provided to ensure safety and prevent wildlife interactions.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

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

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

3.9

13 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Bartlett Cove Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

The campground is widely praised for its cleanliness, privacy, scenic beauty, and well-maintained facilities. Several reviews highlight the natural and peaceful environment as major draws.

Review Summaries

Based on 13 reviews

What Campers Love

Many users appreciate the 'clean and very modern' vault toilets, as noted by Jonas Henn. Others applaud the high level of privacy and natural beauty, with Aaron Pressel describing it as 'very...

Based on 13 reviews

Common Concerns

One review by Chrissi St noted that the firewood provided could be 'rather wet.'

Based on 13 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Specific site reviews are not provided, but the campground as a whole is described positively and suitable for tent camping.

Based on 13 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors are encouraged to bring their own firewood if possible, as the provided firewood may be damp. Additionally, guests can shower at Glacier Bay Lodge for $5. Wheelbarrows are available to help...

Based on 13 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews do not explicitly distinguish between seasons, but the campground's appeal for its natural beauty and proximity to the shore may make it more popular in warmer months.

Based on 13 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. Chrissi St: 'Nice campground with plenty of spaces. Food cache, toilet and firewood (rather wet) available. Bathrooms with warm water are located at the Ranger station and at the nearby Glacier...

Based on 13 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features such as wheelbarrows for gear transport are noted, but there is no detailed feedback from users with disabilities.

Based on 13 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Reviews do not mention pet policies or experiences.

Based on 13 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want a National Park Service campground with privacy and direct access to Glacier Bay's boat tours and kayaking.

Skip if

You need RV hookups or prefer campgrounds accessible by road without ferry or flight logistics.

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Campgrounds

Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve

Bartlett Cove Campground

About Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve

Context for the broader area surrounding Bartlett Cove Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Covering 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, dynamic glaciers, temperate rainforest, wild coastlines and deep sheltered fjords, Glacier Bay National Park is a highlight of Alaska's Inside Passage and part of a 25-million acre World Heritage Site—one of the world’s largest international protected areas. From sea to summit, Glacier Bay offers limitless opportunities for adventure and inspiration.

Directions

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve lies west of Juneau, Alaska, and can only be reached by plane or boat. The only road in the area merely connects the small town of Gustavus and its airfield to park headquarters at Bartlett Cove (10 miles). Alaska Airlines provides daily jet service from Juneau to Gustavus in the summer months. Year-round scheduled air service is also provided by a variety of small air taxis and charters. The Alaska Marine Highway ferries also provide regular service from Juneau.