USDA Forest Service · Alaska
Black Bear Campground
USDA Forest Service · Alaska, United States
- Sites
- 12
- Hookups
- 12 no hookups
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 72 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- AT&T weak · Verizon weak · T-Mobile none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- BLACK BEAR CAMPGROUND RD (NFSR 4700230) · crushed aggregate or gravel · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Chugach National Forest
- Nearest town
- Girdwood
- Address
- 145 Forest Station Road, Girdwood, AK, 99587
- Phone
- N/A
- Activities
- Biking, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Wildlife Viewing
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.
If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Recreation
Wildlife viewing includes moose, brown and black bears, mountain goats, lynx, bald eagles, and salmon.
The Trail of Blue Ice that stretches almost the entire length of Portage Valley can be reached from the campground. From this trail you can acces the Williwaw Nature Trail, Williwaw Fish Viewing Platform, Moose Flats Area, Begich Boggs Visitor Center, Byron Glacier Trail, and Portage Glacier Cruises.
Portage Lake, at the head of the valley, allows access for kayaking and packrafting.
Facilities
Vault toilets, picnic tables, and bear boxes are provided at Black Bear Campground. Campsites are nicely separated, but no electric hookups are available.
Natural Features
Black Bear campground sits in the stunning Portage Valley in the Chugach National Forest.
Contact Info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (907) 782-3242.
Nearby Attractions
Begich Boggs Visitor Center lies at the head of Portage Valley where you can learn about glaciers and Alaska. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is located on near the intersect of the Seward Higway and Portage Highway. Here you can see all different kinds of Alaskan wildlife. Portage Glacier Cruises offers the chance to ride a boat and get up close to Portage Glacier.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34° | 26° | -2° | 41° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 32° | 25° | 2° | 44° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 30° | 22° | 2° | 40° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 37° | 31° | 4° | 46° | 10 of 11 |
| May | 44° | 38° | 33° | 59° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 56° | 45° | 39° | 74° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 58° | 49° | 42° | 75° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 57° | 49° | 41° | 78° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 53° | 46° | 38° | 68° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 40° | 34° | 14° | 51° | 7 of 10 |
| November | 32° | 25° | 1° | 44° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 32° | 23° | -4° | 40° | 9 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Black Bear Campground · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi
- Williwaw Campground · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 52 sites
- Whittier Bay Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 6 mi
- Spencer Bench Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi · 1 sites
- Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Group Campground · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi · 2 sites
All public campgrounds in Alaska · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-05-28. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.