Camp Observer1 of 6 photos
Williwaw Campground
Notice
Williwaw Campground is located roughly 3 miles from a potential Portage Lake landslide. Although a landslide is not currently imminent, a sudden collapse into the water could trigger a tsunami that could significantly impact the campground. Because landslides can occur without warning, all Portage Valley recreationists should remain vigilant and be prepared to evacuate the Valley immediately. For more details and safety information, visit the Chugach National Forest Geologic Hazards web page.
Jun 2, 2026 – Jun 3, 2027
Overview
Williwaw Campground, an idyllic area, sits beside Williwaw Creek near the town of Girdwood, Alaska. The campground boasts prime fishing, hiking and wildlife watching all within the Portage Valley.Next to the campground is the Williwaw Salmon Viewing Area, a top-notch spot for salmon viewing. In August, visitors can see these fish spawning in impressive numbers through the translucent waters.
The area is a great place to view numerous glaciated valleys and the Portage Glacier. Over the past 80 years, the glacier calved large icebergs into Portage Lake, located just east of the campground.
Recreation
Wildlife viewing includes moose, brown and black bears, mountain goats, lynx, bald eagles and wolves.The Williwaw Nature Trail can be reached from the campground. It heads to the Williwaw Fish Viewing Platform, passes under the highway bridge and follows Williwaw Creek to a series of ponds.
The trail then connects to the Trail of Blue Ice, which accesses the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center. The Trail of Blue Ice is also popular among mountain bikers.
Facilities
Drinking water from hand pumps, vault toilets, picnic tables and a parking area are provided at Williwaw Campground. Campsites are nicely separated, but no electric hookups are available.Natural Features
The campground sits in the Portage Valley of the eastern Kenai Peninsula in the Chugach National Forest. The Forest, spanning 5,361,803 acres is comprised of arid tundra wilderness, jagged mountains, deep fjords and glacier-fed rivers that surround the Prince William Sound.Nearby Attractions
Consider visiting the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Portage Glacier, the town of Whittier and Byron Glacier.Contact Info
For local information, please call (907) 522-8368 or call (907) 288-3178 for general information.Camp site features
Across 19 camp sites:
- Longest rig: 145 ft
- Largest party: 12 people
Directions
From Anchorage go 55 miles south on Seward highway to Portage Glacier Road
(milepost 78.9). The campground is located at mile 4.1 of the Portage Glacier
Road.
Stay Limit
Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.
Reviews
Ratings (138)
5 stars
106
4 stars
24
3 stars
7
2 stars
1
Stephanie P
Loop:Will
Site:006
Reviewed 8 days ago
sanicans need some cleaning and refresh otherwise great location and area to camp. we will be back!
rebecca k
Loop:Dbls
Site:020
Reviewed 9 days ago
Lovely clean campsites. I love the spacious area between campers awesome place to go for a long walks and also biking perfect jumping off place to spend the day in Whittier. Being at it against the mountains and glaciers, it is a little chilly, even when the sun does pop up.
Gerald H
Loop:Will
Site:010
Reviewed a month ago
The campground itself is very nice and clean. It is in a great location to explore Girdwood, Portage Valley and Whittier. My only issue was the local availability to dump and refill your RV with water. The Speedway that is about 20 minutes away was hit or miss. Sometimes it has an open dump station and water. Sometimes is doesn’t. It’s not dependable. We had to drive all the way to Eagle River to dump our tanks and refill our water. It would be nice if they had that service available onsite.
Joan D
Loop:Dbls
Site:030
Reviewed a month ago
Willowaw campground at the Chugach National forest, spot 30 is fabulous. We go every year.
Karen R
Loop:Will
Site:009
Reviewed a month ago
The campground was very pretty, right in the middle of many trails. We enjoyed the short walk to the salmon viewing area even though it was still too early. The water was clear and the signs were fun to read. The whole facility was kept very clean.
Raena R
Loop:Dbls
Site:029
Reviewed a month ago
I had a little issue with the camp host, pretty much my fault but we worked it out and he was very gracious. Sites and bathrooms are SUPER clean. We had magical weather and a magical two nights! Highly recommend
Earl H
Loop:Dbls
Site:030
Reviewed a month ago
We found out why they call it Wilowaw. Don't leave your pop up set up overnight!! Be prepared for high winds and rain squalls. Nice campground if you can hit a good weather window.
Marilyn M
Loop:Will
Site:024
Reviewed a month ago
Lovely campsite, looks of space between sites. Well maintained and easy system to check in even if you don't have a reservation.
Andrew C
Loop:Will
Site:011
Reviewed 2 months ago
Nice facilities. Bathrooms well kept but could use a new coat of paint inside
Judith C
Loop:Will
Site:010
Reviewed 7 months ago
We have camped at this campground many times over 15 years and have loved the experience. The salmon viewing is nearby, campsites far apart, lots of trees. One time we hiked to the Portage Visitors Museum, and this summer our grandson took pictures of a mama moose and her calf strolling close to our campsite. Treasured memories!
Robin D
Loop:Dbls
Site:020
Reviewed 8 months ago
One of the best campgrounds I have had the privilege of staying in. All paved sites. Very well maintained. Close to Girdwood, Whittier and the Byron Glacier to just name a few of the great places to see in the area.
Christopher W
Loop:Will
Site:009
Reviewed 8 months ago
Great campground, close to bike trails, salmon viewing glaciers. & wildlife. What more can you ask for? Better weather, rained significantly during the time we were there. Got to be adaptable!
Martha W
Loop:Will
Site:025
Reviewed 9 months ago
The campground was beautiful and the spaces were nice. Not too close to one another, with trees in between. Great trails for hiking or biking. I especially enjoyed the Blue Ice trail. Also easy access to a few small lakes for fishing. I'll be back!
Doug T
Loop:Dbls
Site:030
Reviewed a year ago
Willawaw is our very favorite place in Alaska to camp! The hosts this year have been the very best! Always cleaning and checking on campsites. So nice to talk to.
Julie A
Loop:Will
Site:012
Reviewed a year ago
The camphosts, Zac and Jesse, are amazing managers of the campground. They not only go above and beyond the basics, they are friendly and helpful. Hopefully, they will return next year or be somewhere like Quartz Creek where their impact is even greater.
Kris O
Loop:Will
Site:016
Reviewed a year ago
The person working as the campground manager was great! She was very helpful, accommodating and knowledgeable of the area. That made our stay so much nicer.
Robert R
Loop:Will
Site:027
Reviewed a year ago
Arrived with reservations and went directly to the site. Site had overhanging trees which didn’t allow us to easily back in. Double site would have worked better. A great location. Bears in the campground although we never ran into them.
Alanna Z
Loop:Dbls
Site:030
Reviewed a year ago
Campground is clean and tidy, toilets are clean, and camp host friendly. Our site was right on a creek and a short walk to the Glacier trail and salmon viewing area. It's also a short drive to the Portage Glacier visitors centre, Girdwood, and other trails and sites on the Turnagain Arm. We loved it!
Dana M
Loop:Will
Site:010
Reviewed a year ago
Great campground, nice trails around, nice views to the glacier. Level site.
Martha T
Loop:Will
Site:013
Reviewed a year ago
Lovely location for visiting Whittier. Sites were wooded and fairly private, limited generator use.
Ann M
Loop:Will
Site:024
Reviewed a year ago
Campsite #42: The campsite is nicely nestled in the trees and secluded from the site immediately to the west. The site pad is paved with a picnic table and fire pit. One side of the classic bench-style picnic table has the center portion of the bench removed, so "the chef" can stand close to the surface of the table and yet there is seating on either side - very clever!
It was raining heavily on my campsite reservation day. The site slopes to the southeast, so the fire pit area was surrounded by water 2" deep. That was a deal-breaker for me . . . I bugged out after hanging out for 3 hours hoping for a break in the weather. I was Jeep-camping but didn't break out the tailgate tent, due to the heavy rain and waders needed to enjoy the fire pit.
I will definitely return! Lovely site in the woods, in beautiful Portage Valley.
Jennifer M
Loop:Will
Site:009
Reviewed a year ago
Nice campground and bathrooms, clean; many have nice trees between sites so you have a little privacy. Love having trails so close by and from campground. Road traffic noise is not so great on the side nearest the road. And wish fewer people using loud generators at night and morning. Wish there could be one side of campground for people using generators and other side for people without.
jackie h
Loop:Will
Site:018
Reviewed a year ago
nice location. close to walking trails and salmon viewing area.
Erin S
Loop:Will
Site:009
Reviewed a year ago
Camp host was very helpful with information about future stays.
Natalie S
Loop:Will
Site:013
Reviewed a year ago
Great dry campground, nicely treed sites with trails nearby. Outhouses were clean. Would definitely stay there again.
Jodi O
Loop:Will
Site:008
Reviewed a year ago
Nice wooded camp sites, great location as it was easy to get to our hikes and tours from here.
Frederic M
Loop:Will
Site:024
Reviewed a year ago
Great place to Stay. Some spots can be reserved and others are on a look and see
basis. We had one night reserved and could easily find a spot for a second night to expend our stay.
Be aware of proximity of bears…encountered around our RV. Great experience so far.
Julie A
Loop:Will
Site:018
Reviewed a year ago
We loved the camp hosts! They love their campground and show it by the hard work they do to make it better. Friendly, outgoing and some of the bests hosts we have ever met. Keep on keepin’ on.
Jon L
Loop:Will
Site:024
Reviewed a year ago
Beautiful, Spacious, and Quiet! We will stay here every chance we get. The sites were spread out with plenty of room. The campground was laid out in a very natural way and felt so serene! We wished we had stayed several days instead of one night.
Kristin W
Loop:Will
Site:018
Reviewed a year ago
Site was perfect and easily fit our 24 foot trailer and a six person tent with close proximity to outhouses. It is also nice that it is tucked in a corner. Williwaw is always a great choice for a family weekend.
Jennifer M
Loop:Dbls
Site:030
Reviewed a year ago
Very quiet and beautiful. Great trails. Will definitely go again.
Nancy F
Loop:Will
Site:027
Reviewed a year ago
Enjoyed the seclusion of the campground and all the lush trees. Also very nice that each spot is paved, so easily to level. Love the picnic table and the fire pit.
Richard L
Loop:Will
Site:016
Reviewed a year ago
Incredible campground with easy to park level sites. Very clean. Secluded sites that gave you privacy and that great camping experience. Should have stayed longer.
Keri C
Loop:Will
Site:009
Reviewed a year ago
Amazing campground! So beautiful and the sites were exactly the right distance from each other (far enough away that you had some privacy but you also feel safe). The trails were awesome.
Jennifer S
Loop:Will
Site:010
Reviewed a year ago
Have been to and enjoyed Williwaw many many times over the years and this year the outhouses were STINKY!!!
Bryan A
Loop:Will
Site:008
Reviewed a year ago
We enjoyed the solitude and beauty of the campground. Our campsite sat at the bottom of a mountain covered in snow and a glacier. The water at the pump is delicious. We filled as many 4L bottles as we had available so that we could enjoy it days later. The camp hosts were helpful as well.
Sheri V
Loop:Will
Site:018
Reviewed a year ago
Such a beautiful area. Spot 18 was great, felt very private. Jessie the host and her family were outstanding. The parks are lucky to have someone like her being a host!! You can tell she loves what she does!!
jill n
Loop:Will
Site:011
Reviewed a year ago
Beautiful sites, nice and level and shady. The trails leaving from various points of the campground were my favorite. My dogs’ too. Very friendly campground host too
larry b
Loop:Will
Site:025
Reviewed a year ago
nice clean camp ground with easy access to hiking trails.
Christine K
Loop:Will
Site:016
Reviewed 2 years ago
Quiet, large campsites with sufficient bushes between them to create a visual barrier, and clean outhouses made my stay most enjoyable.
Christina K
Loop:Will
Site:011
Reviewed 2 years ago
Good site, nice trails nearby, but no service - make sure you download your trail maps. Not much space to setup a tent on our site, it’s tailored more to RVs. Bathrooms were decently clean for a vault toilet. No sinks or sanitizer for your hands, so bring your own.
Erin A
Loop:Will
Site:024
Reviewed 2 years ago
This was our favorite stay this summer! Super close to the Portage visitor center and on the Blue Ice Trail. Sites were well laid out and plenty of room between. We are already planning another camp trip there again next summer.
charlotte r
Loop:Will
Site:007
Reviewed 2 years ago
Host was great…didn’t find a bad campsite…privacy…loved the salmon viewing…tasty water…decent toilets cleaned often…beautiful scenery ….close to cool adventures.. good job! Thx
Phyllis W
Loop:Will
Site:006
Reviewed 2 years ago
This is one of the finest campgrounds we have stayed in. It was clean. The sites were level and private (as much as one can get in a campground). The trails were well marked and picturesque.
Popularity
Quiet · 29%
Busiest in July, when about 29% of sites are booked. Based on 9 years of reservations.
