Juneau / Tongass National Forest

Mendenhall Campground

Closed — Closed for the season. Opens May 15, 2026 through September 15. Reservations available through Recreation.gov. The entrance gate closes nightly at 10pm and reopens at 7am during operating season.

About

Mendenhall Campground is situated on the shore of Mendenhall Lake at approximately 100 feet elevation, offering dramatic views of the massive Mendenhall Glacier to the north. Located about 13 miles from downtown Juneau in Tongass National Forest, this popular campground provides a rare combination of glacier scenery, abundant wildlife viewing, and proximity to extensive hiking trails. The mountains surrounding the campground rise from 4,000 to 7,000 feet above the glacier, creating an impressive alpine backdrop. The campground offers 69 sites total, with options for various camping styles. Nine full-service RV sites include electricity, water, and sewer hookups, while nine partial-service sites provide electricity and water. Fifty-one basic sites accommodate tents and RVs without hookups, and seven walk-in sites are designated for backpackers with a covered cooking shelter. All sites feature tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings with grills that meet accessibility standards, with 56 of the 69 sites fully accessible. Modern facilities include two bathhouses with flush toilets and hot showers, dispersed vault toilets throughout, water faucets, a central dump station, and trash service. The surrounding landscape consists of relatively flat glacial moraines, small lakes, and ponds covered with black cottonwood, Sitka alder, willow, and mature spruce-hemlock forests. The forest floor features blueberry bushes, mosses, forbs, and lichens. Wildlife is abundant, with eagles, black bears, and spawning salmon commonly seen. Hiking opportunities include the challenging West Glacier Trail with 1,300 feet of elevation gain accessible from near the campground, and numerous trails from the nearby Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center including Nugget Falls Trail, East Glacier Trail, Moraine Ecology Trail, and Trail of Time.

Directions

From downtown Juneau, take Egan Drive northwest 8 miles to the stoplight at Mendenhall Loop Road. Turn right and travel 2.2 miles to the intersection with Glacier Spur Road. Turn left and continue 1.4 miles to Montana Creek Road. Turn right and travel 0.3 miles to Skater's Cabin Road. Turn right and travel 0.3 miles to the campground entrance. From the ferry terminal, turn right and travel 1.7 miles to DeHart's Store above Auke Bay marinas, then turn left uphill to Mendenhall Loop Road and follow the same directions.

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