Is Exit Glacier Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Exit Glacier 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 Exit Glacier Campground before I book?

Yes! Exit Glacier 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.

Are there showers at Exit Glacier Campground?

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

How many campsites does Exit Glacier Campground have?

Exit Glacier Campground has 12 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Exit Glacier Campground?

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

What amenities are available at Exit Glacier Campground?

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

Exit Glacier Campground

Q: What is the best time to visit Exit Glacier Campground?

Exit Glacier Campground is open in late-October to mid-May, the road to Exit Glacier is inaccessible to cars, usually due to snow. The road often remains closed through mid-May, so be sure to check current conditions if you are visiting during the off season (fall through spring). Exit Glacier has 12 first-come first-served tent sites in summer.. 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.

4.13

28 reviews

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

This campground is currently closed

It's marked closed by the operator right now, so it isn't taking reservations. We keep the page up so you can still read reviews, photos, and details and plan for when it reopens. Typical season: in late-October to mid-May, the road to Exit Glacier is inaccessible to cars, usually due to snow. The road often remains closed through mid-May, so be sure to check current conditions if you are visiting during the off season (fall through spring). Exit Glacier has 12 first-come first-served tent sites in summer..

Quick Facts

381 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

12 campsites

Season

in late-October to m...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

No Pets

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

381 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

12 campsites

Season

in late-October to m...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

No Pets

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Exit Glacier Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No campsite fee categories listed.

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Provider

(907) 422-0500kefjinformation@nps.gov

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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

Nearby places

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

Weather at Exit Glacier Campground

Best Time to Camp at Exit Glacier Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the best combination of mild weather, nearly endless daylight, and full access to trails—typical highs are around 50–65°F (10–18°C) with cool nights—making hikes to Exit Glacier and surrounding ridges comfortable and safe. This is peak time for hiking, wildlife viewing (sea birds, marmots, and frequent black and brown bear activity on the peninsula), and enjoying the communal campground vibe; ranger programs and boat/sea-rafting tours in Kenai Fjords run at full capacity. Expect it Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Summer is best: mild temps, long daylight, trail access and positive seasonal reviews (signal +1.00).

Planning Tips

Operating Season: in late-October to mid-May, the road to Exit Glacier is inaccessible to cars, usually due to snow. The road often remains closed through mid-May, so be sure to check current conditions if you are visiting during the off season (fall through spring). Exit Glacier has 12 first-come first-served tent sites in summer.

About Exit Glacier Campground

Exit Glacier Campground sits at the edge of Kenai Fjords National Park, a short walk from the glacier itself and trailheads leading into alpine terrain. This small National Park Service site offers primitive walk-in tent camping with vault toilets and potable water. Visitors come for direct access to glacier viewing, ridge hikes, and wildlife encounters including black bears, brown bears, and marmots.

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

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the best combination of mild weather, nearly endless daylight, and full access to trails—typical highs are around 50–65°F (10–18°C) with cool nights—making hikes to Exit Glacier and surrounding ridges comfortable and safe. This is peak time for hiking, wildlife viewing (sea birds, marmots, and frequent black and brown bear activity on the peninsula), and enjoying the communal campground vibe; ranger programs and boat/sea-rafting tours in Kenai Fjords run at full capacity. Expect it Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation381 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground sits at 381 feet elevation on glacial outwash plains that shift with seasonal melt. Exit Glacier dominates the view, its runoff creating new stream channels daily. Wildflowers appear in summer across the plains. Surrounding peaks frame the sites, and glacial streams run constantly nearby. Each site accommodates up to two medium tents.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere are no lodging accommodations such as cabins or lodges onsite.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

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

Reservation PlatformsNot applicable as reservations are not accepted.

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.

Best CampsitesSites 1 and 12 are wheelchair accessible and get high marks from visitors. Sites near the outwash plain offer direct glacier views.

Amenities available

The Exit Glacier Campground offers several amenities primarily suited for tent campers. It features a central food storage and cooking shelter where campers can prepare meals safely and securely. "The common ground in the pavilion was perfect for preparing meals, and had a secure area with plenty of shelving for dry and safe storage," according to a user review. Pit toilets are available, but user reviews suggest mixed experiences regarding cleanliness, with one stating, "The outhouses were not well kept - they smelled horrible and were overall very dirty." Drinking water is accessible via a pump near the entrance, but it is advised to filter or boil before consumption, as noted by a user: "There is also a water well nearby the entrance, in front of the cooking area, although it says to filter/boil the water if you are to drink it." Pets are explicitly prohibited on-site.

Potable water

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

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.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are unavailable; pit toilets are provided, with mixed reviews about their cleanliness and maintenance.

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.

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

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

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From Booking Sources

4.1

28 reviews

Satisfactory

Exit Glacier Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% 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

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

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

Accessibility Features

Two handicapped-accessible sites are available (spots 1 and 12), and the campground is designed as a walk-in site for tent campers.

Based on 28 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are not allowed within the campground.

Based on 28 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Exit Glacier Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

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

256,000+ 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) 422-0500kefjinformation@nps.gov

Go if

You want no-cost primitive camping with immediate access to glacier viewing and backcountry hiking in Kenai Fjords.

Skip if

You need RV hookups or expect spotless restroom facilities during peak summer visitation.

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Campgrounds

Kenai Fjords National Park

Exit Glacier Campground

About Kenai Fjords National Park

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

At the edge of the Kenai Peninsula lies a land where the ice age lingers. Nearly 40 glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield, Kenai Fjords' crowning feature. Wildlife thrives in icy waters and lush forests around this vast expanse of ice. Sugpiaq people relied on these resources to nurture a life entwined with the sea. Today, shrinking glaciers bear witness to the effects of our changing climate.

Directions

Kenai Fjords National Park is located just outside the town of Seward in south-central Alaska, 126 miles south of Anchorage. Even though the park is often inaccessible during the winter months, Seward is accessible year-round via the Seward Highway, a National Scenic Byway. Follow the Seward Highway (AK-1) south from Anchorage. It will become AK-9 around mile 35 (87 miles from Anchorage) with AK-1 heading to Homer and Kenai. Continue on AK-9 to Seward.