Home › Alaska › Black Bear Campground
Black Bear Campground
FSU.S. Forest Service — Girdwood · Alaska · Chugach National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Chugach National Forest |
| Location | Girdwood · Alaska · Chugach National Forest · 60.78845, -148.88876 · Map |
| Sites | 12 public sites counted from the federal listing — 12 standard nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 12 sites Water hookups at 0 of 12 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 12 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 12 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Phone | N/A |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-05-28.
From the official listing
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.
Directions, from the listing
At mile post 78.9 of the Seward Highway, turn onto the Portage Highway. Drive 3.7 miles and the Black Bear Campground will be on your right.
Nearest federal campgrounds
0 mi straight-line · AlaskaFSU.S. Forest ServiceWilliwaw Campground
0 mi straight-line · GIRDWOOD AlaskaFSU.S. Forest ServiceSpencer Bench Cabin
7 mi straight-line · Girdwood AlaskaFSU.S. Forest ServiceSpencer Glacier Whistle Stop Group Campground
8 mi straight-line · Girdwood AlaskaFSU.S. Forest ServiceBertha Creek Campground
13 mi straight-line · Alaska
Trip Card — Black Bear Campground
Girdwood · Alaska · Chugach National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Girdwood · Alaska · Chugach National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 12 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10165160 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.