The best camping near Johnson Lake State Recreation Area

On the Kenai Peninsula, Johnson Lake State Recreation area is surrounded by outdoor opportunities with Soldotna and the Kenai River just to the north. Kasilof is also nearby, and the multitude of rivers and trails at Johnson Lake are exceptional for fishing, rafting, paddling, and wildlife watching. Leaving the quiet shores of the lake will prove difficult—with more than 300 acres of woods and trout-filled waters, camping and recreating are prime right on-site. Johnson Lake is the perfect place to set up a basecamp while exploring the Kenai Peninsula.

In addition to Johnson Lake’s single campground, area Hipcamps are solid options for campers.

• Best for the view: Magical Camping Ocean and Volcano Views has tent and RV sites with exceptional overlooks and expansive views.
• Best for Fishing: Earthship Campground is close to the Kasilof River and Johnson Lake for easy angling access.
• Best for ocean access: Mt. Redoubt is situated on the coast not far south of the state park.

1. The campground at Johnson Lake has a mixture of first-come, first-served sites and reservable sites. Try reserving ahead if you have specific dates in mind. Summer is especially busy and reservations will ensure you have a site secured.
2. Reserve well ahead for private campsites in this area during the summer. Many private spaces are limited to a few sites that can fill during the prime season. Shorter notice reservations are more likely during the shoulder seasons.
3. Consider visiting Johnson Lake a little early or late in the season. While salmon runs attract anglers during specific summer months, the lake is always full of rainbow trout and visitors can paddle or fish from ice-out through the fall months.

Johnson Lake has a long season for visitors. May is a nice, quiet month to visit with the potential for nice weather. June, July and August are the busy season on the Kenai Peninsula in general but they remain excellent for visiting. The peak summer offers longer days, active wildlife and salmon fishing in the rivers. Fall is also quiet and September can be a great time to view the night sky and experience the area after the busy months.

• Johnson Lake Campground has 51 total campsites and an additional 16 day-use area sites. RVs are limited to 35 feet in length. 
• Campers are limited to 15 consecutive days of camping. The campsites offer access to water, toilets, fire rings and a developed boat launch space.
• ADA-accessible facilities are present at the campground. Walking areas are often more rugged, passing through the woods and along the lake shore.
• Campers are encouraged to be vigilant about storing food inside campers, vehicles and bear-proof containers. Bears are especially active during the summer months when keeping a clean camp is imperative.