Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Group Campground
Closed for the season. Opens May 23, 2026 when the Glacier Discovery Train begins summer service. The season runs through September 14, 2026. Reservations are required; no first-come, first-served availability. Train tickets must be purchased separately through Alaska Railroad.
From Recreation.gov
The Glacier Discovery train provides access to the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop and Group Camp from May 23th 2026 to September 14th 2026. Tickets for the train can be purchased from the [Alaska Railroad][1] website. [1]: http://alaskarailroad.com/ride-a-train
Regional Order No. 10-01 - Marijuana - Simple Possession
Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited on the Tongass and Chugach National Forests: Possessing, storing or transporting parts of a cannabis plant, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of such plant; including and not limited to…
Regional Order No. 10-00-00-04-01 - Occupancy and Use - Alcohol
TONGASS and CHUGACH NATIONAL FORESTS Regional Office Juneau, Alaska Order No. 10-00-00-04-01REGIONAL ORDEROccupancy and Use Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 (a) & (b), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails located within and/or administered by the…
About
Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Group Campground sits at the head of the beautiful Placer River Valley in Chugach National Forest's Kenai Peninsula. The two group campsites are nestled among cottonwood and alder trees that have colonized the landscape following Spencer Glacier's retreat. This remote location offers spectacular views of Spencer Glacier and the surrounding Kenai Mountains, with a dedicated glacier viewing area located a quarter mile down trail. The campground provides exceptional opportunities for packrafting, kayaking, and canoeing on Spencer Glacier Lake, where icebergs regularly calve from the glacier. Wildlife viewing is excellent, with black bears, brown bears, wolves, lynx, wolverine, and moose inhabiting the valley, while mountain goats and marmots can be spotted on the higher slopes. Access is exclusively via the Alaska Railroad's Glacier Discovery Train, followed by a one-mile hike to the campsites. This train-only access creates a true backcountry experience while still providing basic amenities like a vault toilet, bear boxes for food storage, picnic tables, and a shared campfire ring. All campers must book train tickets separately through Alaska Railroad and firewood should be purchased locally to prevent invasive pest spread.
Directions
Drive south from Anchorage on the Seward Highway to the Portage Rail Depot at Milepost 80. Check in at the train station and board the Glacier Discovery Train (reservations required through Alaska Railroad). The train delivers passengers to Spencer Whistle Stop, from which it is a one-mile hike to the group campground.
Location
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $65 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (907) 783-3242 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov | |
| USFS Spencer Whistle Stop Info |
Availability
Photos
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