Exit Glacier Campground

4.43

28 reviews

Kenai Fjords National Park, PO Box 1727, Seward, AK, 99664, USA

Featured in:Camping Near Kenai Fjords National Park#1 Primitive Camping Alaska

Quick Facts

381 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

No Pets

Opens National Park Service site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

381 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

No Pets

Opens National Park Service site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Exit Glacier Campground

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

There are no camping fees at Exit Glacier Campground. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations.

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

Get Notified When Available

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

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(907) 422-0500kefjinformation@nps.gov

Help improve this page

See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.43

Recommended

Based on 28 reviews

31 Google reviews

Most mentioned

privacycleansites

"Reviews for Exit Glacier Campground are generally positive, highlighting its free status, serenity, and well-spaced sites. However, there are criticisms about the cleanliness of the pit toilets."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Kenai Fjords National Park, PO Box 1727, Seward, AK, 99664, USA

Exit Glacier Campground

Kenai Fjords National Park, PO Box 1727, Seward, AK, 99664, USA

Driving directionsTurn onto Herman Leirer Road (commonly called 'Exit Glacier Road') at mile 3 of the Seward Highway - AK-9. Proceed 8 miles. The campground will be the first turn on the left, after crossing into the park, about 3/4 of a mile after the park's entrance sign.

The campground is accessible by paved roads leading directly to the location. There are no seasonal closures mentioned, and navigation challenges are minimal as the campground is located just before the Exit Glacier Nature Center parking lot.

Nearby places

Seward is the nearest population center, approximately 8 miles away. Travel time is roughly 15-20 minutes.

Nearby supplies

Groceries, camping supplies, and fuel can be found in Seward, approximately 8 miles away from the campground.

Best Time to Camp at Exit Glacier Campground

Time your adventure wisely to experience Exit Glacier at its finest. July and August transform this glacial wonderland into a hiker's paradise, where nearly endless daylight bathes the landscape in golden hues and mild temperatures invite exploration well into the evening hours. As autumn arrives, the campground takes on a quieter character, perfect for those seeking solitude amid changing colors. Winter transforms the area into a snow-laden dreamscape—beautiful to behold but challenging for camping, as heavy snowfall and bone-chilling temperatures create conditions best left to the hardiest souls.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

July–August are peak, with best accessibility and most positive reviews.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.0 / 5

Shoulder season offers fewer crowds but shorter daylight; mixed accessibility.

Spring(Mar-May)

2.5 / 5

Spring likely impacted by snowmelt and limited access; not emphasized positively.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Open year-round but winters are harsh and not highlighted for recreation.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: July through August are identified as peak camping months.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round, but peak seasons are July and August when the campground frequently fills by early evening.

About Exit Glacier Campground

Discover the raw beauty of Alaska at Exit Glacier Campground, where twelve intimate tent sites offer an authentic wilderness experience just steps from one of the continent's most accessible glaciers. This walk-in sanctuary within Kenai Fjords National Park welcomes adventurers seeking a genuine connection with nature—no reservations required, just arrive early and claim your piece of paradise. Your stay includes access to a communal cooking shelter where fellow travelers share stories beneath towering peaks, fresh mountain water from a hand pump, and the simple comfort of knowing you're camping the way it was meant to be: free, first-come first-served, and completely immersed in the Alaskan wilderness.

Exit Glacier Campground is a primitive tent-only, walk-in campground with no reservations or fees.

Weather and SeasonsTime your adventure wisely to experience Exit Glacier at its finest. July and August transform this glacial wonderland into a hiker's paradise, where nearly endless daylight bathes the landscape in golden hues and mild temperatures invite exploration well into the evening hours. As autumn arrives, the campground takes on a quieter character, perfect for those seeking solitude amid changing colors. Winter transforms the area into a snow-laden dreamscape—beautiful to behold but challenging for camping, as heavy snowfall and bone-chilling temperatures create conditions best left to the hardiest souls.

Natural Features and SceneryWake to the sound of glacial streams dancing over ancient stones and step outside your tent to witness nature's grand theater. The campground serves as your front-row seat to Exit Glacier's dramatic presence, while expansive outwash plains stretch before you like nature's own canvas, painted with wildflowers in summer and dusted with fresh snow in cooler months. Towering peaks frame every view, their slopes telling stories of ice ages past, while the nearby creek provides a constant soundtrack to your alpine adventure.

Geological RegionSet within the heart of Kenai Fjords National Park, this campground places you at the intersection of fire and ice—where ancient glaciers continue their millennia-old dance of advance and retreat. Exit Glacier, your magnificent neighbor, has carved this landscape over countless centuries, leaving behind sprawling outwash plains that shift and change with each season's melt. Here, you'll witness geology in action as glacial runoff creates new channels daily, reshaping the land before your eyes in a testament to our planet's ever-changing face.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Fourteen-day limit

Guests Allowed Per Site

Each site permits up to two medium tents.

Groups

No group camping sites are available.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutSites are walk-in and spaced out along a marked path, providing privacy and seclusion.

Reservation PlatformsNot applicable as reservations are not accepted.

Walk-in AvailabilityAvailable on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground frequently fills by early evening during peak season.

Cancellation PolicyNo reservations are required or accepted, so cancellation policies are not applicable.

AccessibilityTwo wheelchair-accessible tent sites are available (spots 1 and 12).

Site SizeSuitable for up to two medium tents per site.

PrivacySites are described as private and spaced out, with user reviews emphasizing their seclusion: "The campsites are well marked along a very nice path, and each spot has privacy," and "You get plenty of privacy with the walk-in sites.

Total Campsites12 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose sites near the creek for a serene experience and avoid overcrowding near the communal shelter during peak times.

Amenities available

Potable water

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Campground activities are primarily centered around proximity to Exit Glacier and the surrounding natural environment. "Only a couple minutes down the road from the visitor center, too, so we didn’t have far to go to and from our hike up the Exit Glacier," as noted by a user.

HikingThe campground is located near Exit Glacier, offering easy access to hiking trails. The visitor center is just minutes away, making it convenient for campers to explore the glacier area.

Wildlife viewingThe campground's proximity to the outwash plain offers scenic views and opportunities for observing wildlife.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include interactions with wildlife, glacial runoff, and cold weather conditions. Drinking water requires boiling or filtering.

Fire PolicyCampfires are only permitted in the designated central cooking shelter.

Emergency ServicesThe nearest emergency services in Seward include a hospital and police station. Ranger stations within the national park also offer assistance.

Trash & RecyclingCentralized food storage provides a secure area for dry goods, but there is no explicit mention of trash or recycling facilities.

Water FeaturesThe campground is located near a creek and outwash plains formed by glacial runoff.

Weather at Exit Glacier Campground

Reviews

4.4

28 reviews

Recommended

Exit Glacier Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews for Exit Glacier Campground are generally positive, highlighting its free status, serenity, and well-spaced sites. However, there are criticisms about the cleanliness of the pit toilets.

Review Summaries

Based on 28 reviews

What Campers Love

Users consistently praise the campground for its privacy, proximity to natural attractions, and the fact that it is free. "WOW! I can't believe this campground is free," exclaimed one user. Another...

Based on 28 reviews

Common Concerns

The primary complaint revolves around the cleanliness of the pit toilets, with one user noting, "The outhouses were not well kept - they smelled horrible and were overall very dirty." Another said,...

Based on 28 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early during peak months (July and August), as the campground fills quickly. Consider bringing your own water filtration system due to recommendations to filter or boil the water provided...

Based on 28 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer receives the most positive reviews due to accessibility and favorable weather, although peak seasons may result in crowded food areas. Winter conditions, based on weather data, are harsh and...

Based on 28 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The sound of the river flowing at night was so peaceful!" "Campsites are nicely spaced out, and at least 2 are handicapped accessible." "Seems like for some reason it's not as popular as it should...

Based on 28 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Sites are walk-in and offer privacy, with wheelchair-accessible options available for spots 1 and 12. Some sites are close to the outwash plain, providing scenic views.

Based on 28 reviews