LOCATION: From the DNR website: 12 miles north of Anchorage, 1 mile south of the town of Eagle River. From Glenn Highway, take Hiland Road Exit (Mile 12). Follow park signs onto frontage road to river and campground.
From us: Take the VFW Pkwy from either the Hiland or Eagle River exit until you see signs. Follow the road to the campground.
COST: $20/night
RESERVATIONS: first come, first served (very popular on weekends, consider getting a site on Thursday)
OUR SITE: 24 (back-in)
HOOK-UPS: none
WE WENT IN: June
REVIEW: Overall a great place to stay, especially if you want something near a town.
Staying near/on the river had its pluses and minuses. We could hear the water and we could walk to the river easily. Our site was special because it was pretty secluded. We could see our across-the-way neighbors (and actually helped them with saving their double spot before their whole group arrived), but couldn't really see our our neighbors on either side. There are a lot of trees, adding to the feeling of privacy no matter your site.The biggest drawback? We were on a steep bank above the river and Isaac thought it was hilarious to throw objects off the "cliff".
Other things to note:
You can walk the road to a trail that takes you along Eagle River. You do pass under a road bridge, but the walk is lovely.
It is close to grocery stores and restaurants if you forget something or want a break from camp cooking.
All sites have fire rings and lots of space to enjoy them.
Bathrooms were clean.
There aren't many sites with water views.
Most sites are off the river.
Lots of sites are "on top of each other" so you don't have a ton of privacy.
All paths to the river passed through or very near other people's campsites. It was a little bit awkward.
No onsite dump station.
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