How much does camping cost at Tenderfoot Creek?

Camping fees at Tenderfoot Creek 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 Tenderfoot Creek first-come first-served or reservation?

Tenderfoot Creek 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.

Can I see photos of campsites at Tenderfoot Creek before I book?

Yes! Tenderfoot Creek 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 Tenderfoot Creek?

Tenderfoot Creek is open May 29 to September 13. 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 Tenderfoot Creek?

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

How many campsites does Tenderfoot Creek have?

Tenderfoot Creek 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 Tenderfoot Creek?

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

What amenities are available at Tenderfoot Creek?

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

What activities can I do at Tenderfoot Creek?

Popular activities at Tenderfoot Creek include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Tenderfoot Creek

Q: Can I have a campfire at Tenderfoot Creek?

Fire policies at Tenderfoot Creek: 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.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.27

83 reviews

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

Top 21% in AKFall

Family FriendlyTent CampingSummer Destination

Featured in:Swimming Camping Alaska Family-Friendly Campgrounds Alaska RV Camping Alaska +1 more

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,296 ft

Price

$23/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

34 campsites

Season

Open May 30th to Sep...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Seward Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,296 ft

Price

$23/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

34 campsites

Season

Open May 30th to Sep...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Seward Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Tenderfoot Creek

$23.00 - $23.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD 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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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(907)288-3178

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Tenderfoot Creek

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Campground Map

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

Tenderfoot Creek

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

Nearby places

Anchorage (81 miles, approximately 1.5-hour drive).

Weather at Tenderfoot Creek

Current alerts(3)

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
For more information on Chugach National Forest, click here
Parking at boat ramp is limited

Best Time to Camp at Tenderfoot Creek

Best season: summer. Summer offers the longest daylight, the most reliably dry weather, and the widest range of on-water and trail activities — expect daytime highs typically in the mid-50s to mid-70s°F (occasional warm spells up to ~80°F) with cool evenings. This is peak paddling, fishing, and hiking season: Summit Lake is calm for kayaking and swimming (water is cold but swimmable on warm days), and alpine trails are fully free of snow. Campground use peaks in July, so you’ll find the most services and trailheads, Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Top 21% in AK

Fall praised for excellent fishing and quieter visits, though season is short (into early Sept).

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 29 to September 13. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open May 30th to September 9th.

About Tenderfoot Creek

Tenderfoot Creek is a mid-sized campground in Chugach National Forest operated by the Seward Ranger District, set in the foothills near Seward. The campground offers tent and RV sites with vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables, plus access to hiking, fishing, biking, and boating. Reviewers praise the clean facilities, well-spaced sites, and nearby lake for paddleboarding, though road noise from Seward Highway and unlevel sites are common complaints.

Tenderfoot Creek Campground offers camping options suitable for tents, RVs, and group camping.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the longest daylight, the most reliably dry weather, and the widest range of on-water and trail activities — expect daytime highs typically in the mid-50s to mid-70s°F (occasional warm spells up to ~80°F) with cool evenings. This is peak paddling, fishing, and hiking season: Summit Lake is calm for kayaking and swimming (water is cold but swimmable on warm days), and alpine trails are fully free of snow. Campground use peaks in July, so you’ll find the most services and trailheads, Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation1296 ft above sea level

Natural Features and ScenerySummit Lake fills a glacially carved bowl surrounded by dramatic ridgelines and U-shaped valleys. Dense spruce-hemlock forests reclaim the slopes above the shoreline. The lake sits in a mountain pass, offering open views across the water to alpine terrain. Squirrels are common throughout the campground. The combination of forest cover and exposed ridgelines creates varied light and shadow across the landscape.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging is available within the campground.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14 nights maximum.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Exact guest limits unspecified
typical Forest Service standards apply.

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 at Recreation.gov.

Site SizeCampsites vary in size, accommodating setups like tents and large RVs. "We have a 31-foot motorhome, and I believe we could fit in any space here," one reviewer mentioned.

PrivacyCampsites are described as private and spacious. "Very private camp sites," said a visitor, and another added, "The sites are spaced very well apart.

Total Campsites34 campsites

Recommended SitesBring leveling blocks for uneven campsites. Premium lakeside spots offer better views and easier access to water.

Best CampsitesLakefront sites get the best views and privacy. Reviews mention site #30 for tent camping and site #27, which has parking below the actual campsite. Many sites accommodate large RVs. One camper reported fitting a 31-foot motorhome in most spots. Bring leveling blocks. Road noise from Seward Highway reaches some sites.

Need help booking Tenderfoot Creek?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Tenderfoot Creek Campground offers a variety of standard amenities, including drinking water, vault toilets, picnic tables, trash collection, fire pits with grills, and a boat ramp. The majority of campsites are pull-through and situated on gravel parking aprons. Firewood is available for purchase onsite. Campers appreciate the clean facilities and well-maintained surroundings. "The restrooms were spotless no matter what time of day I used it," a visitor noted. Another camper mentioned, "Tenderfoot campground has the cleanest outhouses I've seen anywhere in the Moose Pass, Cooper Landing, or Seward area."

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Tenderfoot Creek Campground offers a variety of recreational opportunities, such as hiking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, biking, and wildlife viewing. The scenic Summit Lake provides an ideal setting for water-based activities, and the surrounding area is perfect for exploring trails and enjoying the wilderness.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Boating

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

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.

Fire PolicyDon'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.

Trash & RecyclingThe campground has bear-proof trash bins distributed throughout, along with a large dumpster near the entrance. "Plenty of small bearproof trash bins, and one big dumpster at the entrance," a camper noted.

Cell Coverage"There is no cell phone service here," a reviewer confirmed.

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

Rate Tenderfoot Creek

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From Booking Sources

4.3

83 reviews

Satisfactory

Tenderfoot Creek is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, Tenderfoot Creek Campground is highly rated, with positive feedback about its cleanliness, stunning mountain and lake views, and well-spaced campsites. Some visitors noted issues like road noise and unlevel sites, but these were generally considered minor inconveniences.

Review Summaries

Based on 83 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 83 reviews.

Site #27Loved
Site #27: A pull-through site near the road with limited privacy.
Site #004Loved
Site #004: Described as quiet and clean, with lake access.
Site #30Mentioned
Site #30: A large tent site with close lake access.

What Campers Love

Visitors appreciated the clean facilities, beautiful scenery, and variety of activities available. "The facilities are clean, and the sites are spaced very well apart," one reviewer noted. "The lake...

Based on 83 reviews

Common Concerns

Some visitors mentioned road noise from the Seward Highway and issues with unlevel campsites. "There is a lot of road noise from the Seward Highway," one reviewer said. Others noted the presence of...

Based on 83 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing leveling blocks for RVs, packing warm clothing due to the area's cooler temperatures, and purchasing firewood onsite as availability can be inconsistent. Bringing bug spray...

Based on 83 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Feedback indicates that summer is the most popular season, with many visitors enjoying the lake and warm weather. However, some noted an increase in bugs and road noise during this time. Fall offers...

Based on 83 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The lake is beautiful as usual, and the weather was perfect," a camper shared. "The sites are clean and fairly spacious," another commented. "The camp hosts for 2020 were wonderful people," a...

Based on 83 reviews