The best camping near Independence Mine State Historical Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Independence Mine State Historical Park adventure.

Experience the Gold Rush at this well-preserved mine site in the Talkeetna Mountains.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Independence Mine State Historical Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Independence Mine State Historical Park

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North 40 Stays

8 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Sutton, AK

Camp right on the banks of the Matanuska river while staring at the magnificent King Mountain, Pinnacle mountain, and Craig Mountain! Over 10 acres with only 5 camp sites! Close to Kings river and some of the best ATV trails in the State! The Matanuska river offers some of the best rock hounding in the area and when the river is low, kids love playing in the shallow river streams and sandbars! This is an adult, kids and dogs dream play area! Come relax and get away from the busyness of life!!

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Creekside Campground

10 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Willow, AK

We are a small, family-run campground in the heart of Willow, AK just off the Parks Highway FEATURING 🔌Electric - 30 and 50 amp 💧 Water fill up available from our well 🌳 Gravel and natural forest sites both suitable for RVs or tents 🔥 Picnic tables and fire pits at each site 🚿 Shower house with toilet and hot water shower 🏞️ A relaxing, babbling creek 🐾 Minutes away from downtown Willow, including the start of the Iditarod and the entrance to Hatcher Pass. We have fresh cut firewood available and offer a common gazebo area with a table, camp chairs, and large charcoal grill. Our family lives on site and is available for anything you may need during your stay.

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Lulu's Glamping on the Knik River

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents3 acres · Palmer, AK

Reconnect with nature at this unforgettable escape. Located on the river's edge of the Knik River in Palmer, Alaska, our glamping tents offer a unique experience. Unplug, unwind and kickback in our Stout canvas style bell tents. Each tent is stylishly outfitted with a queen size bed, linens, rugs, stylish decor and other amenities. You also will have your own smokeless Solo Stove with seating for two outside your tent. Only 45 minutes north of Anchorage, our location boasts incredible views with access to all things outdoor! There are shared porta toilets with foot pump sinks with soap for hand washing on site. There is one on demand outdoor shower! We have an outdoor kitchen with a BBQ grill, pots, pans, dishes, silverware, salt, pepper and other items for guest use. Half of the property is an adult glamping experience. Half of the property allows children, as long as you understand that we are located right on the river and children should be supervised. Our property is the perfect basecamp with easy access to hiking for all abilities; Bodenburg Butte, Lazy Mountain, Pioneer Peek and Pioneer Falls. Located right on the Knik River we can help you plan a day of fishing, kayaking or riverboat touring. Other local activities include ATV rentals, glacier helicopter tours, exploring the town of Palmer, the Alaska State Fair, a trip to the Reindeer Farm, Independence Mine State Historical Park, the Musk Ox Farm, horseback riding, touring our breweries, enjoying the local golf course, sled dog tours and so much more! Although we love pets, in order to keep tents clean and odor fee, pets are not allowed without permission. No smoking 🚭 Check in 4pm Check out 11am We ask that shoes be removed before enter the tent.

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The Wilds

3 sites · Lodging200 acres · Fishhook, AK

Our off-grid property is situated on 200 private acres of beautiful Alaskan land. We have five miles of trails right out your cabin door and beautiful views of the Susitna River throughout. The Talkeetna Mountains serve as an incredible backdrop to it all. We live on the property, as do our array of animals. We have a family of geese and chickens who will welcome you with open wings, as well as two dogs and three cats. We operate off of solar and generated power and while the cabins do have limited electricity, we ask that you We are located just 55 miles from the Anchorage Airport, 12 miles from downtown Palmer and 14 miles from downtown Wasilla. Best of all, were just 2.8 miles from Government Peak Recreation Area and 10 miles from Hatcher Pass, so if it's adventure you're looking for, you're in luck! If you’re looking for a fun day trip, we’re just an hour and a half from Talkeetna and 3.5 hours from Denali. We've named our property The Wilds because it is wild! A large portion of our land is protected by a conservation easement, so it can never be developed. We cherish that responsibility and are excited to share the rawness of this land with you!

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Grizzly Annie’s, bunk beds

9 sites · Lodging11 acres · Talkeetna, AK

Grizzly Annie’s Cabin, has an arctic entry, small sitting and eating area, gallery kitchen with stove, microwave, air fryer, refrigerator. The bathroom has toilet, sink, shower. On demand hot water. There is a washer and a dryer (fee). The bunk beds are in a tiny nook. There is one other room, staff quarters. There are many back country trails, promising a true wilderness experience to off roaders whether on foot, on a bike, or atv. Our dock is a good place to launch small craft. A paved bike trail connects to Talkeetna or the Parks Highway. Monday - Thursday, available for one night stays. Friday - Sunday, minimum two night stay

Jim Creek Blank Land

30 sites · RVs13 acres · Palmer, AK

This is blank land in the Buette area of Palmer, Alaska. No signs except for the address sign. Make your own spot. No amenities. Please take your own trash out. Enjoy your stay for just $10 a night. Near Jim Creek. Great fishing. A lot of trails for 4X4s and riding ATVs. Come park your car, camper, RV etc and enjoy Alaskan life at Jim Creek Blank land.

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The Glacier Breeze

2 sites · Lodging, RVs4 acres · Palmer, AK

The Glacier Breeze is located in Alaska’s beautiful Knik River Valley surrounded by breathtaking views of the Chugach Mountains. With the numerous adventures that you can take in the Knik River and Matsu areas, it makes for a perfect base camp. The property also makes for a great beginning or ending of your Alaskan trip with it being conveniently located a short hour drive from Anchorage. Why be in the city when you can be emersed in Alaska!

Booked 3 times

Talkeetna Lake Retreat

13 sites · Lodging, RVs15 acres · Talkeetna, AK

Escape the daily grind and indulge in a delightful retreat with us. Welcome to our evolving Alaskan campground and cabin rental – a work in progress that promises a unique experience. Situated on 15 acres, our property offers boat rentals and scenic cross-country walking paths. With 11 dry RV pads complemented by picnic tables, you can enjoy the outdoors in comfort. Additionally, there's a grocery store, Subway, ice cream parlor, and coffee shop within walking distance, ensuring convenience and variety during your stay. Discover more amenities that await you!

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Deluxe Mtn Cabins: Anchorage, AK

9 sites · Lodging5 acres · Chugiak, AK

Welcome to BlueWater BaseCamp! BlueWater BaseCamp is a haven for those who seek solace and rejuvenation in nature without venturing far from the city. Nestled in the scenic Eklutna Valley, BWBC is a boutique hotel and event venue catering to independent travelers, locals, groups of up to 28 people, and events with up to 75 attendees. Accommodations: Our Small Deluxe Cabins (5 available) offer an intimate Alaskan experience, perfectly suited for two. Each cabin features a cozy living room with a couch, chair, and Murphy table. The kitchenette is fully equipped with dishes, silverware, pots and pans, culinary tools, basic spices, Keurig coffee maker, induction cooktop, microwave, and mini fridge. The bathrooms include shower, toilet, sink and some have soaking tubs. The bedrooms boast queen beds with closet space and some cabins have a loft for unwinding with a good book. For those seeking a soaking tub experience, Ranger's Roost and Bashful Peak Cabins have the added luxury of a relaxing tub. Our larger cabins (3 available) designed for groups up to 6, offer a fully handicap-accessible first floor. The spacious cabins feature a full kitchen equipped with a mid-sized fridge, stove, oven, microwave, and a dining table for 6. The bathroom is generously sized, featuring a roll-in, zero-threshold shower, roll-under sink, and appropriately placed grab bars around the shower and toilet. The main floor bedroom hosts a queen-size bed with room to turn mobility devices and the upstairs loft provides 2 queen beds for the rest of your party. Immersed in the tranquility of the surrounding woods, our deluxe cabins serve as the perfect retreat to rest, rejuvenate, and explore the Anchorage area and beyond. Book Now to reserve your private getaway!

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Clean Forest type camping

40 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Wasilla, AK

Learn more about this land:Family friendly our campground is called houston grass station campground and is located right next to the alaska railroad watch it go by wile you camp see you here thanks

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Pinochle Trail Campground

9 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Sutton, AK

Flat, gravel spaces at Pinochle Trailhead in Glacier View, Alaska. Great hiking, biking, ATV or snow machine on historic trail. Tents, trucks, cars, campers, RVs, dogsleds .... whatever you can fit is welcome. 8 spaces with tables and fire rings. There is also an "Open Camping Area" in back that larger groups may like. Although a number may be assigned at booking, just pick the best available camp space that works for you on arrivial. You'll need to bring your own water and keep a clean camp. Pinochle Trail goes north into the backcountry for around 12 miles and joins other trails. Pinochle trail is a section of the ancient Knik - Nelchina Trail used by natives, trappers, miners and hunters for eons. It traverses the natural route from the Matanuska Valley up and over the mountain range into Copper River country. Hicks was one of the early guides who had a cabin at Hicks Creek and served with U.S. Army Lieutenant Joseph Castner to brushwack a trail northwest for Captain Glenn in 1898. Described in his journal as at "Tale of Hardship and Suffering" they ended up eating their mules and shoes before reaching their goal far to the north. Today we use these trails with relative ease compared to the old timers but the scenery and mud holes remind us of what they went through.

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Sunderland Ranch Farm Stay

2 sites · RVs, TentsPalmer, AK

Legacy family land! Learn more about this land:Pitch a tent here at the Sunderland Ranch. We often have guests staying here or playing here for other events, but are happy to have you too! This will be as quiet or as experiential as you would like. You can schedule a trail ride or farm tour with our staff/family, or get out and walk the trails or around the ranch and enjoy Alaska at its best.

The best camping near Independence Mine State Historical Park guide

Overview

About

At 761 acres in a high elevation area, Independence Mine is reached by visitors who travel up Hatcher Pass in the famous Mat-Su Valley. Once here, campers can discover the park's huge gold mine and remnants of the great Alaskan Gold Rush. An extensive visitor center and museum are set along trails that follow a self-guided or guided tour through restored structures in the mining camp. The extensive camp actually once merged two gold mines where miles of tunnels were blasted by hundreds of miners who extracted millions in gold. The once mining-rich surrounding region is filled with trails and opportunities to hike, backpack, and watch wildlife.

Notable campgrounds

Although Independence Mine State Historical Park offers no overnight camping within its boundaries, visitors can stay the night at Hipcamps in the region.

Best for park access: Tomodachi has RV and tent sites near Hatcher Pass and the Independence Mine.
Best for RVing families: The Dutch Hideaway is a family-friendly RV site near Palmer.
Best for backpackers: Camping near Hatcher Pass is possible at a number of US Forest Service areas. Trailheads for the Gold Mint and Fishhook trails also have basic first-come, first-served tent camping sites frequently used by backpackers and hikers.

When to go

Hatcher Pass is a seasonal road on the Willow connecting side, but the trailheads and mine area remain open from the Glenn Highway. Winter conditions can create difficult driving conditions, meaning the pass is most popular during summer when the state park is open: from mid-June to Labor Day. A parking fee is required. The remote nature of this park means it rarely is overrun, but the mine is popular with visitors in the area—arrive early to beat any crowds.

Know before you go

Pets are allowed at Independence Mine but must remain on leash near developed areas.
While the visitor center is closed in winter, the park remains open for recreation. Snowshoeing, skiing, and sledding are allowed outside of developed areas.
After completing a self-guided tour, feel free to explore the park's open space. Be cautious of boundaries, however, as private land borders the area.
Palmer and Wasilla are the closest communities for primary services like groceries and gas. You can find meals at the lodge near the park entrance, but it’s a good idea to arrive prepared.