Best campgrounds and RV Parks near Buffalo Soapstone, AK (28+ campgrounds)

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Best campgrounds near Buffalo Soapstone, AK

Government Peak Campground

Palmer, AK (5 miles away)

$$$$$

(8 sites)

Mountain View RV Park

Palmer, AK (7 miles away)

$$$$$

(120 sites)

+6

Finger Lake State Recreation Site

Wasilla, AK (7 miles away)

$$$$$

(24 sites)

+3

Paradise RV Park

Palmer, AK (7 miles away)

$$$$$

(30 sites)

Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Site

Palmer, AK (10 miles away)

$$$$$

(6 sites)

+2

Big Bear RV Park and Campground

Palmer, AK (10 miles away)

$$$$$

(53 sites)

+8

Eklutna Lake Campground - Chugach State Park

Eklutna Lake Campground - Chugach State Park

Anchorage, AK (19 miles away)

$$$$$

(50 sites)

+3

King Mountain State Recreation Site

Alaska (21 miles away)

$$$$$

(22 sites)

Riverside RV and Camper Park

Houston, AK (23 miles away)

$$$$$

(56 sites)

+4

Big Lake North State Recreation Site

Wasilla, AK (26 miles away)

$$$$$

(60 sites)

+2

Burkshore Marina

Big Lake, AK (26 miles away)

$$$$$

(10 sites)

Big Lake South State Recreation Site

Wasilla, AK (26 miles away)

$$$$$

(20 sites)

Most common amenities

Grills Tables Toilets Pet friendly Dump station Fishing Internet Hiking Trails Firewood

Overview of camping near Buffalo Soapstone

Buffalo Soapstone is a census-designated place in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough of Alaska, located just north of Palmer and about 40 miles northeast of Anchorage. It sits in the foothills of the Talkeetna Mountains, off the Glenn Highway, and functions as a rural residential area within easy reach of the Mat-Su Valley's main recreation corridors. RV travelers use Buffalo Soapstone as a quiet base for exploring the valley. Private RV parks in the Palmer area, such as Paradise RV Park and Mountain View RV Park, provide full-service pads with hookups and dump stations. The Alaska State Parks system operates Finger Lake State Recreation Site between Palmer and Wasilla and Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Site south of Palmer along the Glenn Highway. Further north, the Hatcher Pass Management Area covers roughly 300,000 acres in the Talkeetna Mountain Range, with Government Peak Campground offering a small, primitive option. Together, these campgrounds span the range from full-hookup RV sites near town to rustic tent-and-small-RV sites in the mountains.

Things to do near Buffalo Soapstone

The Hatcher Pass Management Area is the dominant draw for outdoor activity. It offers gold panning, berry picking, hiking, biking and horseback riding in the summer, along with skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling in the winter, and includes Independence Mine State Historical Park. Popular trailheads include Gold Mint, Reed Lakes, and the road to Independence Mine. At lake-based campgrounds, fishing is the main activity. Finger Lake has good fishing for Rainbow, Arctic Char, and Grayling, with a boat launch and access to canoe trails. Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Site contains several stocked lakes suitable for non-motorized craft. Downtown Palmer offers restaurants, groceries, and the Alaska State Fair grounds.

Seasonal patterns and camping windows

spring
March - May
43° / 27°F 30 mm
Late thaw; state parks reopen in May
summer
June - August
63° / 46°F 75 mm
Peak season; long daylight; sites fill on weekends
fall
September - November
37° / 25°F 80 mm
September is the wettest month; freeze arrives fast
winter
December - February
21° / 9°F 25 mm
Freezing and snowy; most campgrounds closed

The RV season in the Mat-Su Valley is short and concentrated. A limited number of campsites are reservable through ReserveAmerica at Finger Lake State Recreation Site, with online reservations available from June 1 through August 31, dependent on camp host and staff availability, while several campsites remain first-come, first-served. Government Peak Campground is open only during summer months, and during winter it is closed for overnight camping, though the area remains open for Nordic activities such as skiing, sledding, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and winter bicycling. June through mid-August is peak season, with long daylight hours and warm valley temperatures. Campsites are limited, and full conditions can be expected on holiday and sunny weekends. September brings fall color and the wettest weather of the year, and higher-elevation access begins to shrink. The road over the Hatcher Pass summit is generally open only from about July 1 through September 15, depending on snow conditions, and use of RVs or large vehicles is not recommended due to steep grades, rough roads and tight hairpin corners.

Top Hosts near Buffalo Soapstone, AK

SB

Steven9 trips - Joined Mar 2023

Easy RV rental experience!

Mark W. - Aug 2025

Our experience with Stephen and his RV was amazing for the 9 days we used it! This is also his personal RV and it's obvious he takes really good care of it. Brand new lithium batteries, new tires, lots of storage (in and out). We didn't have a single issue with the RV. We comfortably slept 3 adults and 2 kids. The kids LOVED hanging out in the bunk over the cab and the dining room table bed was surprisingly comfortable. We did a combination of boon docking and electric-only hookups. Fridge/freezer worked amazing. Hot water tank works on gas OR electric. We barely put a dent in the propane tank despite using it twice every day. We barely put a dent in the battery capacity when we were boon docking. This unit is SOLID on reliability. Pro Tips: -This RV is not so huge that it's difficult to park it. We were able to park it just about everywhere without any issues. -On your way back swing by the Chevron in Eagle River (11836 Old Glenn Hwy)....they have a free RV dump, propane, and gasoline. -The RV comes with just about everything you need but if there are additional items you want and you're heading north, then swing by the Goodwill in Wasilla....this provided us with all the additional little things we needed for our trip. -There's a Fred Meyer in Eagle River than can supply you with everything you need for your trip (groceries, fishing supplies, booze, camping supplies). If/when I return to Anchorage, I would definitely book this RV again.

Travis C. - Jul 2025

Class C in Anchorage

5.0 (5)

Steven's Forest River Sunseeker Class C

Fun4 trips - Joined Nov 2023

Absolutely amazing trip! Rv is perfect size for traveling, well kept and organized. Couple is very nice, highly recommend.

David C. - Oct 2025

Fun was so easy to work with and very communicative. Any time I had a question or issue I was able to get a response quickly. It was my first time ever being in an RV and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience or service. I would definitely use their RV again in the future when I hope to visit Alaska again one day. Appreciate all their effort and ease during our trip!

Kristi C. - Sep 2024

2014 Sunseeker LOADED, Includes Vacation Planning

Class C in Anchorage

4.9 (4)

2014 Sunseeker LOADED, Includes Vacation Planning

2014 · Sleeps 6

· 3,093.3 miles

$245 USD /night

How to book campgrounds near Buffalo Soapstone

Alaska State Parks handles reservations for Finger Lake State Recreation Site and Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Site through ReserveAmerica. Reservations for individual campsites and group campsites may be made up to 7 months in advance, but no later than 48 hours prior to the arrival date check-in time. Only a portion of sites are reservable; the rest remain first-come, first-served, so arriving around checkout time on weekends improves the odds of a walk-up spot. Government Peak Campground is first-come, first-served with no online reservations, and fees are deposited in an envelope placed in the iron ranger. Private parks such as Paradise RV Park and Mountain View RV Park take direct reservations by phone or online and are the best option for guaranteed hookups and larger RV rigs.

What to expect when camping here

Expect a mix of developed and primitive sites. Private RV parks in the Palmer area provide 30- and 50-amp electric, water, and dump stations. Finger Lake State Recreation Site offers clean vault toilets, water fill stations for RVs and bottles (though no hookups at campsites), a boat launch, and a day use area, with 24 tent sites, 8 RV sites, and two large group sites. Government Peak Campground has eight campsites for either tents or small RVs, with no potable water available. Cell service is reliable near Palmer and along the Glenn Highway but drops off in Hatcher Pass. Firewood is not provided, so bring your own. Wildlife, including moose and black bear, moves through the valley and campgrounds; store food securely and keep pets leashed. Weather can shift quickly, and mosquitoes are heavy from June into August, so pack layers and repellent.

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Campgrounds and RV parks near Buffalo Soapstone, AK

Best campgrounds near Buffalo Soapstone, AK

Overview of camping near Buffalo Soapstone

Things to do near Buffalo Soapstone

Camping spots and RV parks near Buffalo Soapstone, AK

Seasonal patterns and camping windows

Top Hosts near Buffalo Soapstone, AK

How to book campgrounds near Buffalo Soapstone

What to expect when camping here

Frequently asked questions about campgrounds near Buffalo Soapstone, AK

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Nearby cities with campgrounds