Russian River
RUSSIAN RIVER
Part of Chugach National Forest
Overview
Beginning Aug. 15, 2025, the Russian River Campground will be closed to the Public for construction.
Construction crews will rebuild and widen one mile of the access road, making it more stable and resistant to frost heaves. During the closure, all vehicle and pedestrian access will be restricted and campground reservations on Recreation.gov will be unavailable.
Russian River Campground is perched between the Russian and Kenai Rivers in south-central Alaska. It lies within driving distance of two main population centers, 110 miles south of Anchorage and 40 miles east of Soldotna, surrounded by the Chugach National Forest and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
Each year, this area is visited by over 100,000 people who recreate at the Russian River Campground, Ferry Access Site, Sportsman's Boat Launch, Russian Lakes Trail and K'beq Site. Hiking, biking and fishing are popular pastimes.
Facilities
The campground consists of 83 campsites and 130 day-use parking spaces. The campground is open with full service from May through September with 24-hour operation at the "contact station." Compliance with all campground rules and regulations is necessary to insure a safe experience for everyone.Water, vault toilets, tables, fire pits and dumpsters are available, as well as paved roads and parking spurs.
Natural Features
The campground sits at an elevation of 400 feet on the Eastern Kenai Peninsula in the Chugach National Forest. The forest, spanning more than 5 million acres, is comprised of jagged mountains, deep fjords and glacier-fed rivers.Recreation
The Russian River is the most popular sockeye salmon stream in Alaska and a top-rated spot for rainbow trout. Retention of sockeye salmon is legal from June 11th to August 20th. Silver salmon can be retained from July 1st to September 30th. Trout can be retained from June 11th through April 30th. Anglers are required to have a State of Alaska Fishing license and obey all regulations and emergency orders.Kenai Peninsula is also a hiker's paradise, boasting hundreds of miles of maintained trails. The following two trails are accessible from the campground.
The Russian Lakes Trail begins in the campground, and is the most popular trail on the Chugach National Forest. Most hikers travel only 2.3 miles to Russian River Falls where a viewing platform allows views of leaping salmon. More ambitious hikers and backpackers can travel another 19 miles past two lakes to the Upper Trailhead on Snug Harbor Rd. Along the trail, three public use cabins can be reserved; Barber Cabin, Aspen Flats Cabin and Upper Russian Lake Cabin.
The Angler's Trail also begins in the Russian River Campground and travels 1.25 miles from the Russian River Canyon to the Kenai-Russian River Confluence. Along the way, 22 sustainable river access points allow anglers to enter the Russian River. At the confluence, hardy anglers can cross the Russian River (hip-waders recommended) and continue along the Kenai River, where another 15 access points are located. Staircases lead to this trail from campground loops as well as day use parking lots.
Nearby Attractions
Resurrection Pass Trail: This trail climbs from 500 to 2,600 feet over 38 miles. It connects the towns Hope and Cooper Landing via a historic route.Russian River Ferry: The ferry transports anglers across the Kenai River.
Sportsman's Boat Launch: The boat launch provides boat access to the Kenai River.
K'beq Interpretive Site: At this site, tribal members share traditions, stories and culture with visitors through interpretive walks featuring archeological sites, traditional plant use, informational signs, and artifacts. The gift shop features Native art.
Contact Info
For local information, please call (907) 522-8368 or call (907) 288-3178 for general information.Important Notices
Bears can be anywhere at any time- in or near the river, campground, or on the trails and boardwalks.
All attractants and equipment used to cook and store food must be acceptably stored in a bear-resistant container, or enclosed in a hard-sided camper or in your vehicle.
Pets must be leashed.
On the river, all personal items such as backpacks must be within 3 feet of you (preferably on you).
Stringers of fish must be kept within 12 feet of you.
- Stay on trails and make noise to prevent surprise encounters.
- Do not run from bears. Running could trigger a pursuit.
- Stay in a group and keep children close.
- If a bear approaches you while reeling in a fish, cut the line. Do not let a bear get a fish while hooked to your rod.
- Carry accessible bear spray and be prepared to use it.
- Discharging a firearm is prohibited except in defense of life or property. No warning shots. No hunting.
- Click here for more information on Chugach National Forest
- Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by purchasing firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
Available Activities
- HIKING - Hiking
- FISHING - Fishing
- CAMPING - Camping
- BIKING - Biking
Directions
From Anchorage, Alaska, travel south for 110 miles to Milepost 54 on the Sterling Highway, Alaska State Highway 1.
Contact Information
Phone: (907)288-7756
Seward Ranger District, 33599 Ranger Station SpurSEWARD, AK 99664
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site 066, Loop RUSS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 060, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 019, Loop SHSG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 077, Loop RUSS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 053, Loop RSNG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 022, Loop SHSG, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 027, Loop SHSG, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop RSDB, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 042, Loop SSDB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 046, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop RSDB, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop RSDB, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 020, Loop SHDB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 039, Loop SSSG, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 083, Loop RUSS, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop SHSG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 055, Loop RSNG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 074, Loop RUSS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop RSDB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 038, Loop SSSG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 034, Loop SSSG, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop SHDB, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 040, Loop SSSG, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 061, Loop RSNG, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 073, Loop RUSS, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 041, Loop SSDB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 081, Loop KING, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 028, Loop SHSG, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop RSSG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 068, Loop RUSS, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop RSSG, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 075, Loop RUSS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 076, Loop RUSS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 078, Loop RUSS, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop RSDB, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 057, Loop RSNG, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 035, Loop SSSG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 058, Loop RSNG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop RSDB, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 049, Loop RSNG, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 067, Loop RUSS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 070, Loop KING, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 050, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 082, Loop RUSS, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 033, Loop SSDB, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 052, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 032, Loop SSDB, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop SHDB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 072, Loop RUSS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop RSDB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 079, Loop RUSS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop RSSG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 023, Loop SHSG, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop SHSG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop RSDB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 025, Loop SHSG, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 037, Loop SSDB, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 069, Loop KING, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 080, Loop KING, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop RSDB, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 031, Loop SSDB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 065, Loop RAIN, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 044, Loop SSDB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 064, Loop RAIN, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 043, Loop SSSG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 045, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 062, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 059, Loop RSNG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 071, Loop RUSS, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 054, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 047, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop SHDB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop RSDB, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 063, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 036, Loop SSSG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop RSDB, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop RSDB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop SHSG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 056, Loop RSNG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 029, Loop SHSG, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 048, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 030, Loop SSDB, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 051, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
