Alaska is full of surprises and there are many places you can go camping in “The Last Frontier”. During the summer many people call this the land of the midnight sun. The vastness of this state is enough to overwhelm you. ~ Alaska is a great place to go camping. This wonderful land is full of mystery, vastness and hundreds of rarely visited places. If you want to get of the beaten path then this is the place to do it. In the land of the midnight sun you will find adventure and wildness like no other. ~ Camping in Alaska offers such variety that it is hard to describe. The vast wilds of the land of the midnight sun offer such splendor and grandeur that you may have a difficult time selecting a place to visit. There is a reason this place is called “The Last Frontier”, and it is open for you to explore.
There are so any places and so many ecosystems that you could chose from that this alone will require a decision. But whether you are interested in camping by a quite stream, a roaring river, a glacier, a lake, the ocean or the tallest mountain in North America you can find it hear. ~ With all the options open to you and near endless variety in terrain and ecosystems where can you go? You will have to ask yourself what you like: whale watching, fishing, hunting, hiking, mountain climbing, kayaking, white water rafting, glaciers, sand dunes, grass lands, tundra, or dense forests. All of these options await you and many of them can be see and done from one camping location. ~ So now the question is where do you go in Alaska. There is the far north with the arctic beaches, the reindeer herds or maybe the thick dense forests and waterways of Southeast Alaska. There is also the realm of the Aleutian Islands. These island are rarely visited and some are over a thousand miles west of Anchorage and still part of the same state. Then there are glaciers and white water rafting that can be accomplished and both at the same time. You can raft down the freezing muddy waters of many a glacial feed river.
Starting in the Southeast of Alaska you will find many opportunities for camping that offer opportunities to go sailing, fishing, kayaking, whale watching, mountain climbing and bird watching to name a few. ~ Southeast Alaska provides many opportunities for camping. You can go flight seeing, fishing, kayaking, hiking, whale watching or just relax and watch the natural world around your camp. ~ Oh the variety that Southeast Alaska offers. Some of the best glacier viewing can be found here as well as some great whale watching. If you catch a nice day there is nothing like chartering a flight to take you soaring over the glaciers, mountains and rivers that dot this part of the world. There is also the great Misty Fjords National Monument that can take your breath away.
Throughout Southeast Alaska you will find not only campgrounds but many Forest Service cabins that you might use. These cabins offer a nice change from tent camping if the rain settles in. But a good tent like the Kelty Green River 6 can keep you dry also. ~ All over the Southeast of Alaska you will find many campgrounds. Most often these are located near one of the many towns on the islands. Supplementing the campgrounds you will find there are may National Forest Service cabins located through out the area. These offer a nice change of pace from camping in your tent during the rain. However if you have a good tent like the Kelty Green River 6 person, you can stay dry and have room to stretch. ~ Throughout Southeast Alaska you will find many National Forest Service cabins located in some very nice places. These are setup for you to enjoy, just plan ahead as they can be booked out in advance. There is often lots of rain here you can read a Kelty Green River 6 review and discover how this tent just might be the one to use so you can stay dry. Most of the campgrounds in this part of the state are near towns like Wrangell, Juneau and Ketchikan.
Heading to the far North of Alaska you can go camping in the arctic. A place like Kaktovik which is located North of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge offers the opportunity for beach camping. It is wise to seek local advise regarding the safest sites though. This is a unique opportunity, how many people have been beach camping in the Arctic? ~ Moving far to the north of the State you can find camping in the arctic a real experience. While you will likely see black and brown bears in the south up north you might run into the big white polar bear. Up north of the Article National Wildlife Refuge near Kaktovik you can actually camp on the beach along the Arctic Ocean. If you are brave you could test the water for a wake up swim! If you choose this option be sure to check in with the locals regarding which locations are the safest for camping on the beach. ~ How about heading up north for some beach camping? Ever considered camping out on the edge of the Arctic Ocean? Probably not but it is an option. North of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lies the town of Kaktovik, near here you are allowed to camp on the beach. It should be noted that it is wise to check with the locals regarding where the safest locations for camping are. Also stay on the lookout for polar bears as they might pay you a visit. Humm, how thick are those walls on the tent?
There are also come camping locations along the Dalton highway. These locations are spread out but there are several locations you can enjoy. One of these is Galbraith Camp which is north of the Brooks Range. ~ You have other options up north like along the Dalton Highway. There are several campgrounds along this northern highway that are great places to up a tent or park your RV. You will find camps like Galbraith Camp which is located north of the Brooks Range or at Yukon crossing and the Arctic Circle camp. ~ Other locations in the north of the state include several along the Dalton highway. A couple of these are Yukon crossing, Arctic Circle, Hess Creek and north of the Brooks range Galbraith Camp. Each of these places offers a spot to put up a tent or park your RV. But up here you might find it hard to sleep as the sun just might not set.
Where ever you camp in Alaska you need to be prepared for the climate, the animals and the extreme wilderness. Plan ahead and bring your survival gear. You will need all the basics as well as mosquito netting and repellent. The mosquitoes and noseems can get thick on a warm calm day and they can drive you insane if you do not have protection against them. ~ No matter where you decide to go camping in Alaska you will find a wild and sometimes harsh country. Be prepared for anything. This is a good time to bring your survival gear with you. Yes, some of the camping can be found near Anchorage and it is not much different then camping somewhere outside Los Angeles but most of the camping in Alaska is quite remote. ~ When planning a camping trip in Alaska be prepared. The mosquitoes and noseems can be horrible. Some days when the temperature is up and the wind is calm they virtually cause you to go mad. So be sure to bring bug repellent. Also realize that many of the camping places in Alaska are remote and you need to bring your survival gear as there may not be any towns for miles.