Facility Details - MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, AK

Overview

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

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 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. Much of the forest is a temperate rain forest.

Recreation:

Several hiking trails can be accessed from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, including East Glacier and West Glacier Trails. The East Glacier Trail, with an elevation gain of 400 feet, takes 2-3 hours roundtrip. The West Glacier Trail, with an elevation gain of 1,300 feet, can be done in 5-6 hours roundtrip. Shorter trails include the 1.5-mile Nugget Creek Trail and the a 1.5-mile Moraine Ecology Trail.

Facilities:

The campground offers 69 sites, 56 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 accessible 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. A dump station and trash dumpster are located on-site.

Nearby Attractions:

Visit the terminus of Mendenhall Glacier by boat or take a helicopter to the top. Outfitters offer cruises and rides.

Nugget Falls, also known as Nugget Creek Falls or Mendenhall Glacier Falls, is downstream of the glacier. The waterfall drops 377 feet in two tiers onto a sandbar in Mendenhall Lake.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Accessible Flush Toilets Birding Canoeing Drinking Water Dump Station Electric Hookups Flush Toilets Food Storage Grills Hiking Host Interpretive Trails Nature Trails Parking Area	Paved Roads Pay Phone Picnic Area Picnic Shelters Pit Toilets RV sites Ranger Station Sewer Hookups Showers Site Pads Tent sites Trash Collection Vault Toilets Water
Within 10 Miles
Accessible Picnic Shelters Bank Beachcombing Biking Boat Ramp Boat Rentals Boating Climbing Fish Cleaning Station Fish Hatchery Fishing Dock Fishing Supplies General Store Golf Grocery	Horseback Riding Hospital Interpretive Programs Kayaking Laundry Facilities Mountain Biking Playground Post Office Public Marina Recycling Restaurant Scuba Diving Trailhead Visitor Center

Know Before You Go

Bears frequent the area; keep food in vehicles, bear-proof containers or hang in pack over tree branch over 12' high
Campers are encouraged to bring their own firewood
Gates open to vehicles from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
If vehicle or person maximums per site are exceeded, campers will be asked to move excess vehicles and equipment to an additional site, if available, and pay the additional fee
Commercial outfitters or guides not allowed; institutional outfitters (universities, schools and clubs) may require a special use permit before making reservations; contact campground manager at 907-789-6264
Click here for more information on ferry access on the Alaska Marine Highway System
Click here for more information on the Klamath National Forest

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
58.41389, -134.56111
58°24'50"N, 134°33'40"W

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.