Trail River

Chugach National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking

Location: SEWARD, AK, AK

Price: From $23 per night

Price range: $23–$200 per night

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (98 reviews)

Season: Year-round

Trail River Campground, set between the Trail River and Kenai Lake, provides lake, river and snow-capped mountain scenery among the hemlock and spruce forests of the Chugach National Forest. It lies within driving distance of two main tourism destinations; 24 miles north of Seward and 40 miles east of Cooper Landing, AK. Miles of hiking and biking trails weave throughout the area.

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.

Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing

Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/trail-river to be notified when sites open up.

Trail River Campground offers stunning scenery between the Trail River and Kenai Lake with snow-capped mountains, hemlock and spruce forests, and access to miles of hiking and biking trails. Campers consistently praise its clean facilities, well-maintained cabins with lake access, and convenient location within the Chugach National Forest.

Wildlife alert: Moose, Snowshoe Hare, American Red Squirrel, Common Merganser, Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, and Short-billed Gull documented in the area. Brown and black bear also present in the forest.

Insider tips for Trail River: Only 4 campsites have direct lake access—reserve these spots well in advance as they book quickly Multiple campground loops offer different features (river vs. lake views), so scout your preferred location type Public cabin includes direct lake access and is highly rated but books fast

Skip Trail River if: You require RV hookups—no hookups available at most sites; only suitable for self-contained RVs. You need to book last-minute—federal campground that fills quickly.

Best time to visit Trail River: Year-round — Campground operates year-round; however, book early as this is a popular federal campground.

Nearby campgrounds: Trail River Cabin (Seward, AK), Ptarmigan Creek (SEWARD, AK), Crescent Saddle Cabin (SEWARD, AK), Primrose Campground (Seward, AK).