Allen61605
Salem, Oregon
Full Member
Joined: 06/30/2004
View Profile
 Offline
|
I have heard that the best campground in Anchorage closed a couple of years ago. So what is the best option of the remaining campgrounds?
Dick & Barb
2002 Holiday Rambler Endeavor
|
joe b.
Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 08/24/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
There is not much remaining in Anchorage that tend to be recommended by forum members. Some still stay at the Ship Creek RV park, in downtown Anchorage. Packed in and backs up to the railroad tracks seems to be the main negative comments on it.
The Golden Nugget is also stayed at by some and get average reviews from forum members comments. Some find it acceptable and some don't.
The military base has a very nice fam camp, if you qualify to stay there. It gets very high review comments.
Most of the travelers seem to be staying in the Palmer/Wasilla area, just north of Anchorage. A nice government campground south of town by Portage Glacier also.
On our last trip, the Fred Meyer parking lot looked to be the most popular place to over night in town. Lots of street people hang out there, not sure why it has become popular with them. Handy spot to stop if you need to overnight in town. I stopped there one night as I failed to make a reservation anywhere. First time I ever did the parking lot "camping" routine and it worked for me.
joe b.
South Florida, Stuart
Formerly of Colorado and Alaska
Driving a Dodge/Cummins
www.jbpacooper.com web site
http://www.picturetrail.com/jbpacooper Alaska 2004 - Alaska 2006 - Colorado photos
|
Bea PA
Waynesboro, PA, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/28/2000
View Profile
Offline
|
If you belong to the Moose club there is parking w/electric, donations.
|
jlawless
north america
Senior Member
Joined: 07/23/2007
View Profile
|
Do you want a place to stop one night or a campground to see Anchorage from?
For one night, there is a Wal-Mart on Old Seward south of Diamond. Do not stay there. However, on the opposite side of Old Seward there is a large parking lot for several businesses, go to the south corner of that lot behind the Mcdonalds. I see people stay there all the time. Seems like a peaceful area in Anchorage to spend the night.
I think joe.b is referring to Bird Creek campground about 25-30 miles south of Anchorage. Much closer than the Forest Service campgrounds in Portage Valley. Bird Creek is run by Alaska State Parks and is a primitive campground with plenty of room usually. They have plans to put in W/S/E but I doubt they are there yet. It is a good spot to commute to Anchorage from for a few days if that is what you desire. They don't maintain the road into the campground as that is cheaper than putting in speed bumps. 
"Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform."
Mark Twain
|
joe b.
Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 08/24/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
The advertisements on the Golden Nugget CG look good. www.goldennuggetcamperpark.com Perhaps someone that has stayed there in the last year or so will give us their opinions. Also the city runs a place called Centennial Park but haven't read any good reviews on it is a few years. The last comment I remember, from a forum member on it, was that the park had turned into a major hangout for the homeless/street people and had a resulting problem with crime. The Centennial looks good on their web site also so it might be worth checking it out in person unless you can get some first hand recent info here on the forum. http://www.alaskacampgrounds.net/members........tennialparkcampground/centennialpark.htm
I took a look at the Creekwood Inn on Gambell St. our last trip in 2006. It is the old Hillside Motel and RV renamed. I gave up on staying there under the old name. It has mostly seasonal residents, very short, tight spaces. The motel looks nice but the campground is not too appealing to me. Don't know a thing about the Midtown Camper Park on Northern Lights Blvd.
|
|
|
jlawless
north america
Senior Member
Joined: 07/23/2007
View Profile
|
That Centennial campground looks like the one I would avoid. Too many drunken revelers when I stayed there and hosts unwilling or unable to do anything.
Maybe others have had beter luck there but that is my 2cents.
|
ak_traveler
Fairbanks, Alaska
Senior Member
Joined: 04/23/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Ok here's my take on the Anchorage campgrounds that remain (remember this is just MHO)
As for Ship Creek I would stay there if I HAD to be in Anchorage for whatever reason (like one of my family was in the hospital and I wanted to be close)
Regarding Golden Nugget, I stopped by there and talked to the people there. They didn't seem to me to be real caring whether you stayed there or not. The campground wasn't much to write home about either. It is an option I suppose, but there are better CG's not too far away.
As for Centennial Park - not on a bet! Too many drunks, vandals, theives and other unsavory types around there. Same with Midtown RV Park.
Basically I won't be staying IN Anchorage proper in my RV...instead I'll be staying in Palmer or Wasilla and driving the extra 45 minutes into town.
"There's no such thing as too much tow vehicle!"
Wes, Linda, & kids
"Tow Twuck" - 2008 Ford F350 DRW CC LB 6.4 Powerstroke
"Cougar" - 2006 Keystone Cougar 289EFS Fifth Wheel
Our Website
|
Hayes
Grand Prairie, TX
Senior Member
Joined: 10/19/2000
View Profile
Offline
|
The Golden Nugget is staying full with the caravans. Management is very unfriendly. I suggest, as others, stay in the Palmer area.
Jerry
Jerry, Alma & Jasper the lovable Corgi
International 4700 Custom Tow Truck (Pepaw's Pull Toy)
38' King of the Road Marquis fifth wheel.
"Running the roads seeing God's Great Creation!"
|
Allen61605
Salem, Oregon
Full Member
Joined: 06/30/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
It appears that Fred Meyers may be the best bet for a short stay. Apparently there are three Fred Meyers in Anchorage. Which one would be the best?
|
JCGibson
Anchorage, Alaska
Senior Member
Joined: 08/01/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
I agree with AK traveler. I would not stay in a campground in Anchorage except one of the military campgrounds on the base. If you notice on the website for Golden Nugget they do not show any of the sites except in the background. The RV park is right across the street from a run-down mobile home court.
DH and I
2 teenagers
Buddy (dog) and Boo (cat)
'08 Dodge 3500 Megacab w/Cummins Diesel
'09 Heartland Big Horn 3400RE
|
|
|
