Campgrounds and RV parks near Gustavus, AK

Gustavus is the land-based gateway to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, a small community on the north shore of Icy Strait in Southeast Alaska. The town sits about ten miles by road from Bartlett Cove, where park headquarters, the visitor center, the lodge, and the park's only established campground are located. RV planning here is unusual. There are no vehicle-friendly campgrounds or RV parks with public reservation systems inside Glacier Bay National Park, and Gustavus itself has very limited RV infrastructure. The park's Bartlett Cove Campground is a free, walk-in, tent-only site, and camping in vehicles is not allowed anywhere in the park. Most RV travelers base themselves in Haines or Juneau, then reach Gustavus by Alaska Marine Highway ferry or by air. Options in the Haines area include Haines Hitch-Up RV Park, Oceanside RV Park, and Salmon Run RV Campground and Cabins, with Eagle Beach State Recreation Site north of Juneau and Chilkoot Lake State Recreation Site outside Haines as public alternatives.

Gustavus is not on the road system. RV renters typically drive to Haines or Juneau and either leave the rig at a campground or load it on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry to Gustavus. Vehicle space on the ferry is limited and should be reserved well in advance through the Alaska Marine Highway System. Bartlett Cove Campground is free and does not take reservations. Every camper must pick up a permit and attend a 30-minute orientation at the Bartlett Cove Visitor Information Station, where free bear-resistant food canisters are also issued. Permits are required from May 1 through September 30. Alaska State Parks sites in the Haines and Juneau area, when open, are booked through the state's ReserveAmerica portal, up to seven months ahead with a one-day minimum lead time. Confirm current-season status directly with Alaska State Parks before planning around a specific site.