Mendenhall Campground

Juneau Ranger District, 8510 Mendenhall Loop Road
JUNEAU, AK 99801

Mendenhall Lake Campground and Auk Village Campground Occupancy Prohibitions Juneau Ranger District

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited within the Mendenhall Lake Campground and the Auk Village Campground:
1.Camping for a period longer than 14 days within a 50-day period. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(a).
2.Entering or remaining in a campground between the hours of 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM,except for persons who are occupying such campgrounds. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(c).
3.Occupying a developed recreation site with a chainsaw. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(d).
4.Parking or leaving a vehicle outside a parking space assigned to one’s own camp unit. 36C.F.R. § 261.58(h).
5.Possessing, parking, or leaving more than 2 vehicles, except motorcycles or bicycles, percamp unit. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(i).
6.Building, maintaining, or attending a fire using wood pallets, treated wood, constructionmaterials with nails or hardware attached, or any non-wood material. For the purposesof this order, the term "wood material" means objects made of wood and includespaper, cardboard, and commercially manufactured firelogs. As used here, the termfirelog means a manufactured log constructed to be used as wood fuel. 36 C.F.R. §261.52(a).

PROHIBITIONS

EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from the Order:
1.Persons with a Forest Service permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibitedact or omission.
2.Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fightingforce in the performance of an official duty.
IMPLEMENTATION
1.This Order is effective from June 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
2.These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.
3. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
4. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.

Executed in Juneau, Alaska this 1st day of June 2025.

Monique Nelson
Forest Supervisor
Tongass National Forest

Overview

Mendenhall Campground is situated on the shore of Mendenhall Lake, in view of the Mendenhall Glacier, about 13 miles from downtown Juneau. The site is a popular destination for viewing beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife. Hiking opportunities abound.

Recreation

The West Glacier Trail, with an elevation gain of 1,300 feet, can be hiked in 5-6 hours roundtrip. The trailhead is a half mile from the campground entrance by road or on the Aak'w Sit' Trail. The .4 mile Tolch Rock Trail is in this vicinity. The campground has several paths in it with interpretive signs relating facts about the area wildlife and environment.

Facilities

The campground is open seven days a week. The entrance gate is closed nightly from 10pm to 7am and the exit gate is open 24 hours a day. Sites characterized as accessible are open for all users. The campground offers 67 sites, 54 of which are fully accessible. Nine are full-service RV sites with electric, water and sewer hookups; nine are partial-service RV sites with electric and water hookups. Seven sites are located in a separate walk-to backpacker area. All sites are furnished with picnic tables, tent pads and combination fire rings with grills. Water faucets and accessible vault toilets are provided, as are two accessible flush toilets and shower facilities. The shower houses are closed nightly from 8pm to 7am. A dump station and trash dumpster are located on-site.

Natural Features

The campground is situated on the shore of Mendenhall Lake at about 100 feet elevation. Mendenhall Glacier lies to the north and the Mendenhall River flows on the east. On either side of the campground the mountains rise from 4,000 to 7,000 feet above the Mendenhall Glacier. The topography is relatively flat and open, consisting of glacial moraines, small lakes and ponds. Forbs and lichens, black cottonwood, Sitka alder, willow and mature spruce hemlock forests cover the area. The forest floor is dotted with blueberry bushes and mosses. At nearly 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest covers most of Southeast Alaska and is the largest forest in the national forest system. The Tongass surrounds the Inside Passage, the network of waterways that buffer the jagged Alaskan Coast and a cluster of coastline islands. The Tongass offers visitors a chance to view wildlife, including eagles, bears and spawning salmon. Expansive vistas, including fjords, glaciers and mountain peaks fill the area. The Tongass is part of the world's largest temperate rain forest.

Nearby Attractions

Run the rapids down the Mendenhall River, take a helicopter to the top of the glacier, bicycle or hike in the area. Outfitters offer these services. Many trails can be accessed from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center area, including East Glacier Trail, with an elevation gain of 400 feet, takes 2-3 hours roundtrip. Some of the shorter trails in this area include the 1.7 mile Nugget Falls Trail, where the waterfall drops 377 feet in two tiers onto a sandbar in Mendenhall Lake, the 1.5 mile Moraine Ecology Trail, and the .7 mile Trail of Time.

Camp site features

Across 68 camp sites:

Electric hookups: 17 of 68 sites
Water hookups: 9 of 68 sites
Sewer hookups: 10 of 68 sites
Fire pit: 67 of 68 sites
Picnic table: 56 of 68 sites
Pets allowed: all 68 sites
ADA accessible: 56 of 68 sites
Longest RV: 60 ft
Largest party: 6 people
Power up to 50 amps
Equipment: RV, RV/MOTORHOME, Tent, Trailer

Directions

This campsite is approximately 13 miles from downtown Juneau. Access is via the Alaska Marine Highway or via Alaska Airlines. By ferry: turn right out of the Ferry Terminal parking lot. Drive 1.7 miles to DeHart's Store above Auke Bay marinas. Take a left turn onto Back Loop Road. Travel 2.5 miles to Montana Creek Road. Turn left onto Montana Creek Road. Drive 0.3 miles to Skater's Cabin Road. The campground is 0.3 miles down the road. From the airport: go 0.1 mile to the junction of Yandukin Shell Simmons Drive. Turn left on Shell Simmons Drive and travel 0.3 miles to stoplight at the intersection of Old Glacier Highway. Turn left on Old Glacier Highway and travel 0.5 mile to the stoplight at the intersection of Egan Drive. Continue on Mendenhall Loop Road 2.2 miles to the intersection of Back Loop Road. Turn left on Backloop Road. Continue 1.4 miles to the intersection of Montana Creek Road. Turn right and travel 0.3 miles to Skater's Cabin Road. Turn right and travel 0.3 miles to campground.

Stay Limit

Check in from 3 PM, check out by 2 PM.

Reviews

156 reviews

5 stars

104

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Dana G

Loop:Mendenhall Campground

Site:

Reviewed 16 days ago

Quiet solitude. Most sites are level. Hot showers available.

Petra B

Loop:Mendenhall Campground

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Beautiful camp, excellent for spending the day in the area, many natural walks around, beautiful lakes and views. It was the last week of opening and the last day a big black bear came to our place - he didn’t care much.

Thomas E

Loop:Mendenhall Campground

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Wonderful quiet site at Mendenhall Lake.

Graham H

Loop:Mendenhall Campground

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Great campsite right on the lake looking towards the Mendenhall Glacier. Bathrooms and showers were clean.

Charles P

Loop:Mendenhall Campground

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Great place

Nicci W

Loop:Mendenhall Campground

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

A beautifully set little campsite away from the crowds at the with glacier -with better views across to it ! And otters in the pond to watch. A camp fitting for the state capital; theres running water and hot showers - which were much welcomed after weeks in the wilderness.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

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