Description

Portage Valley Cabins & RV Park is a lovely forested campground nestled in a glacier-carved valley with magnificent mountain vistas. The park has big-rig friendly water and electric serviced sites, as well as dispersed camping at dry sites around a small lake. The park is conveniently located about an hour from Anchorage and just a few miles off the Seward Highway. The park is near attractions such as Portage Glacier, the town of Whittier, and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This is a great base from which to explore the many attractions of area and of the Kenai Peninsula.

Location

Portage Valley Cabins & RV Park
355 Wyatt’s Windy Rd
Girdwood, AK 99587
Park: (907) 783-3111
Latitude: 60.802995 N, Longitude: -148.933797 W, Elevation: ~150 ft (46 m)

Details

We stayed for 7 nights at Portage Valley Cabins & RV Park in mid June, 2018. This is a basic, friendly, well-maintained campground set in a stunningly scenic location.

Cost

For 7 nights at a partial hookup water and 30 amp electric pull-thru site we paid about $45 per night, including tax.

Ratings (1-5)

Accessibility – 3/5

The campground is about one hour from Anchorage and easily accessible from the Seward Highway and Portage Glacier Road. The gravel road leading into the park crosses a narrow bridge and has some potholes which could use repair. Lanes in the campground are well-maintained gravel, although some potholes need attention. The park has both pull-thru and back-in sites and can accommodate large rigs. The campground facilities have provisions for Universal access.

Facilities/Amenities – 3/5

The campground offers basic amenities, including partial hookup sites with water and 30/20 amp electric service, RV dump station, portable toilets and free showers, free WiFi, cable TV and rental cabins. The office has a small camp store and video checkout. Showers were clean and in good repair and toilets were serviced often. The park has a community cookhouse/shelter with fire ring, free firewood and nightly campfire gatherings.

Site quality – 3/5

RV Sites have partial hookups with 30/20 amp electric and water, cable TV, and a picnic table. The campground has back-in and pull-thru sites. Sites are gravel with little separation between sites in the pull-thru section. The park also has dispersed camping at dry sites along a stream and small lake.

Scenic Value – 5/5

The park is forested, borders with a small lake and glacier fed streams and has spectacular mountain views.

Location/Isolation – 5/5

The park is in a spectacularly scenic location, is quiet and feels very isolated. The pull-thru RV section sites are close together and is rather like a parking lot, but the amazing scenery offsets that.

Paws Friendliness – 4/5

The campground is pet friendly, but does not have an enclosed pet run or cleanup bag stations. The park is large enough for a decent walk with your pet. Water loving pets would love a swim in the lake.

Overall Rating – 4/5

Overall, Portage Valley Cabins & RV Park is a lovely place to stay while exploring the many attractions of the surrounding area. We enjoyed our stay here and would love to return another time.

Additional info

Internet access

We received a weak cellular signal at this campground, but not enough for 4G internet. We used the free campground WiFi service a few times, but this was only intermittently available from our site and slow.

Water Quality

The campground water tested soft – we did not add our water softener to the water filtration stack.

Nearby Amenities

A grocery store, gas station, restaurants and some automotive services are available nearby in Girdwood, AK (14 miles). More shopping and RV services are available in Anchorage, AK (43 miles).

Wind Advisory

Note: This area is prone to high winds channeled down the mountain passes and valleys, especially when a storm is pushing through the area. Be alert and don’t leave awnings or lose items unattended at the campsite.

Bear Advisory

Note: This is bear country. Be alert and do not leave food or trash out which might attract bears. Keep pets on leash and do not leave them unattended outside.

Nearby attractions

Here are a few local attractions and activities:

• Portage Glacier Cruises
• Begich Boggs Visitor Center
• Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel (to Whittier, AK)
• Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
• Byron Glacier Trail
• Willawaw Nature Trail
• Prince William Sound Museum
• Prince William Sound Glacier Cruises and Tours
• Nature, wildlife, and fishing charter tours
• Kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding
• Scenic drives

Photos