Black Bear Campground

Star4.64
33 reviews
Black Bear Campground

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

First-Come

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

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Black Bear Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
This location is first-come, first-served only. On-site payment may be possible by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app (Scan and...
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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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
(907) 782-3242

What Campers Say

4.64

Top-Rated

Based on 33 reviews

40 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquietpeacefulclean

"Reviewers overwhelmingly rate Black Bear Campground very highly, describing it as a beautiful, quiet, wooded, and peaceful place. Campers consistently praise the cleanliness of the toilets, the primitive/traditional Alaskan feel, and the nearby stream and trails, making it a favorite spot for many visitors."

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About Black Bear Campground

Nestled in the heart of Portage Valley within Alaska's magnificent Chugach National Forest, Black Bear Campground welcomes spontaneous adventurers on a first-come, first-served basis. This rustic basecamp provides essential amenities—vault toilets, picnic tables, and bear-proof food storage—while positioning you at the doorstep of glacier-fed lakes, pristine trails, and some of Alaska's most captivating wildlife encounters.
This campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis and requires visitors to arrive onsite to purchase and claim a site. Campsites are described as nicely separated; no electric hookups are available. Specific site type designations (tent, RV, primitive, group, cabins, glamping) are not stated.
Natural Features and SceneryFrom your campsite in Portage Valley, the Trail of Blue Ice serves as your gateway to an interconnected web of natural wonders. Follow the path to the Williwaw Nature Trail, where interpretive signs guide you through the valley's ecology, or venture to the Williwaw Fish Viewing Platform to witness salmon navigating crystal-clear waters. The nearby Moose Flats Area lives up to its name, while the Begich Boggs Visitor Center offers insights into the region's glacial heritage. For those seeking closer encounters with ice, the Byron Glacier Trail delivers, and Portage Glacier Cruises provide boat-based perspectives of these ancient frozen rivers. At the valley's head, Portage Lake beckons paddlers with its otherworldly turquoise waters. Whether you're gliding across the glacier-fed surface in a kayak or packraft, you'll find yourself surrounded by dramatic peaks and the ever-present possibility of calving ice echoing across the water—a reminder that you're experiencing one of Alaska's most dynamic landscapes.
Geological RegionPortage Valley in the Chugach National Forest
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Campsite details

Sites PrivacyCampsites are described as nicely separated.
Total Campsitesnull campsites
Recommended CampsitesCampsites are nicely separated. Bear boxes are provided—use them to store food and scented items. No electric hookups are available; vault toilets and picnic tables are provided. Visitors should be prepared to arrive in person to claim sites and, if planning to use Scan and Pay, download the Recreation.gov mobile app prior to arrival.

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Arrive on-site to purchase and claim a site (first-come, first-served).
Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutCampsites are described as nicely separated; no electric hookups available.
Reservation PlatformsNone for reservations — site assignment is first-come, first-served; payment may be completed on-site via the Recreation.gov mobile app Scan and Pay feature if available.
Walk-in AvailabilitySites are first-come, first-served; visitors must physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Scan and Pay via the Recreation.gov mobile app may be available for on-site payment.

Amenities available

Food storage lockers
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Recreation opportunities accessible from the campground include a long local trail (Trail of Blue Ice) with connections to multiple nearby trails, visitor center, viewing platforms, and glacier-related attractions. Portage Lake provides access for small watercraft activities.
Hiking
The Trail of Blue Ice (which stretches almost the length of Portage Valley) can be reached from the campground; from this trail you can access the Williwaw Nature Trail, Williwaw Fish Viewing Platform, Moose Flats Area, Begich Boggs Visitor Center, Byron Glacier Trail, and Portage Glacier Cruises.
Boating
Portage Lake at the head of the valley allows access for kayaking and packrafting; Portage Glacier Cruises are also accessible from the area.
Wildlife viewing
Wildlife viewing opportunities include moose, brown and black bears, mountain goats, lynx, bald eagles, and salmon.
Water Sports
Kayaking and packrafting on Portage Lake; boat cruises to Portage Glacier are available nearby.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsPresence of wildlife including moose, brown and black bears, mountain goats, and lynx; standard wildlife precautions implied by provision of bear boxes.

Weather at Black Bear Campground

9
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Mainly clear
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 60%
Wind: 4 mph
Mainly clear

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Good to know

Proximity to water featuresTrail access from the campground reaches Portage Lake (head of the valley) which allows kayaking and packrafting; Trail of Blue Ice runs through the valley and is accessible from the campground.
HostThis location is unstaffed.

Campground Map

Black Bear Campground
Driving directionsAt mile post 78.9 of the Seward Highway, turn onto the Portage Highway. Drive 3.7 miles and the Black Bear Campground will be on your right.
Accessible from the Seward Highway at milepost 78.9 via the Portage Highway; drive 3.7 miles on Portage Highway to reach the campground.

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.6
33 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
Black Bear Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviewers overwhelmingly rate Black Bear Campground very highly, describing it as a beautiful, quiet, wooded, and peaceful place. Campers consistently praise the cleanliness of the toilets, the primitive/traditional Alaskan feel, and the nearby stream and trails, making it a favorite spot for many visitors.
Review Summaries
Based on 33 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers love the natural setting: a quiet, wooded, secluded campground with a beautiful stream/salmon-bearing creek and great walking trails, including access to the Trail of Blue Ice and ranger-led...
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Based on 33 reviews

Common Concerns

Reviews provided are almost entirely positive and do not contain recurring complaints. The only mild negative mention is that rain dampened one family’s trip, which is weather-related rather than an...
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Based on 33 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

One reviewer notes that all 12 sites were occupied by 2:00 PM on a summer Saturday, suggesting campers arrive early to secure a spot. Those with RVs are advised to try Williwaw Campground first and...
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Based on 33 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Beautiful place, clean and smelly toilets, 😉👍” “$15 per camp site and their bathroom is the cleanest public bathroom I've ever been.” “It is secluded and a peaceful place… Cant wait to come back...
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Based on 33 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

One detailed review states the campground has 12 sites and mentions that on a summer Saturday all sites were filled by 2:00 PM, indicating limited capacity and popularity at busy times. Another...
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Based on 33 reviews

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Last updated December 10, 2025
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