One of the first US Forest Service campgrounds we have stayed at to have paved campground roads and paved sites. Very good spacing between sites. Most have a bunch of trees and bushes between sites as to not see anyone. Most (90%) of the sites were long enough for 40' RV's. I think every site looked level. As you enter the camping area, the camp host has a dry erase board of available sites if you don't have a reservation. A believe about 1/2 the sites can be reserved, the others are "first come first service". One note: on the road coming to the park (Portage Valley Rd) there wasn't any sign before you hit the actual campground enterance. Within about a half mile section there are 3 forest service driveways ( Black Bear Campground, fish viewing platform and Walliwaw). The campground has two loops for a total of 60 sites. There are a number of newer pit toilets. There were at least 4 hand pumps for water. The well water at least looked clean. Each site had a huge picnic table and triangle shaped fire rings. There is no electric here or any dump station. Good spot over before after a trip to the Seward or Homer. There is a nice bike path that runs about 4 miles along the valley called "Trail of Blue Ice". The campground butts up against the mountain right by "Middle Glacier". Yes, a few of the sites have a direct view of the glacier. At the end of the bike trail is the Begich Boogs Visitor Center. Also Portage Lake and the tunnel to Whittier. The valley is known to be a little windy. The first night we didn't notice any bugs, but the 2nd night when the winds were calm we had a "fly" issue. Not bad, but enough to keep my son indoors. The bike path was very interesting as many sections were on a boardwalk and over bridges. This was my type of camping, no noise, just water cascading down from the glacier. I'll give it 4 stars only because sites could have been kept cleaner including fire rings being emptied. I will stay here again. (Mid July)
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✅ Amenities & Features
FishingForestForest ServiceHikingPublic ParkRiverScenicUS Forest Service
📖 About This Campground
Williwaw Campground near Girdwood Alaska is a US Forest Service managed park that offers primitive hookup (no water, sewer, or electric connections) RV and tent camping in an idyllic area beside Williwaw Creek. The campground boasts prime fishing, hiking and wildlife watching. Next to the campground is the Williwaw Salmon Viewing Area, a top-notch spot for watching salmon. In August, visitors can see these fish spawning in impressive numbers through the translucent waters. The area is a great place to view the glaciated valley and the Portage Glacier. Over the past 80 years the glacier calved large icebergs into Portage Lake, located just east of the campground.