Mendenhall Campground
MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND
Part of Tongass National Forest
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.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 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 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.
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.
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.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.Important Notices
The entrance gate is closed nightly from 10pm to 7am. The exit gate is left open 24/7.
Bears frequent the area; keep food and anything with a scent in vehicles or bear-proof containers that are provided for free (ask the host). When campers are not at their site and have left items outside that have a scent such as food, soap, toothpaste, barbeques, etc., then Forest Staff will remove the item from the campsite.
- Campers are encouraged to bring their own firewood
- 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
- Campground reservations may be made the same day as arrival, if a site is available..
- Campsite check-in time is 3:00pm, and check-out time is 2:00pm the following day.
Commercial outfitters or guides not allowed; institutional outfitters (universities, schools and clubs) may require a special use permit before making reservations; contact the Juneau Ranger District at 907-586-8800.
Available Activities
- Hiking - Hiking
- Camping - Camping
- Wildlife Viewing - Wildlife Viewing
Directions
This campsite is approximately 13 miles from downtown Juneau. Access is via the Alaska Marine Highway or via Alaska Airlines. <br /><br /> 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. <br /><br /> 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.
Contact Information
Phone: 907-586-8800
Juneau Ranger District, 8510 Mendenhall Loop RoadJUNEAU, AK 99801
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site 010, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 067, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Rv Electric
- Site 049, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 033, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 056, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Rv Electric
- Site 041, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 066, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Rv Electric
- Site 020, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 023, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Walk To
- Site 013, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 065, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Rv Electric
- Site 037, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 034, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 052, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Rv Electric
- Site 038, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 062, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site 053, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Rv Electric
- Site 046, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 031, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 055, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Rv Electric
- Site 069, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Rv Electric
- Site 064, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site 068, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Rv Electric
- Site 061, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site 002, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 044, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 039, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 027, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Walk To
- Site 054, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site 058, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site 021, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 057, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site 026, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Walk To
- Site 048, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 050, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 040, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 036, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 060, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site 047, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 059, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site 045, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 019, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 028, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Walk To
- Site 014, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 042, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 051, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 070- host, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Rv Electric
- Site 022, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 043, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 030, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 063, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Electric
- Site 016, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 032, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 029, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Walk To
- Site 025, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Walk To
- Site 035, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Walk To
- Site 015, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop MENDENHALL CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
