Alaska camping

2lazy4U wrote:

PA12DRVR wrote:
FWIW, some thoughts:

4) Again, entirely FWIW, I'd support the proposed ordinance to ban parking lot camping. Even long-ish stays by competent RV'ers aren't a problem (in my view) but during the summer, there are all sorts of folks that push the boundaries: folks passing through that sleep in their cars, permanent transients that sleep in their cars; bums living in the back...etc, etc, etc. Anchorage needs an enforceable ordinance to stop that sort of thing.

Just FYI, I went up last summer and camped as well as sleeping in my car (SUV). I left no trace and probably spent as much as the average tourist. So why am I categorized with the transients and bums?

Not going to go into any detail, but did you sleep in the parking lot of Wal-mart and Cabelas? If so, how can I tell the difference from a true bum? More to the point, how can my aged MIL tell the difference? Or my 14-year old granddaughter?

Won't discuss further as it gets off topic and would probably eventually be shut down. As a once and future resident and landowner in Los Anchorage, I'd support the ordinance. YMMV.

PA12DRVR wrote:
FWIW, some thoughts:

....

3) Entirely FWIW and IMNSHO, the only reasons to stop in Los Anchorage other than stocking up are: i)seeing Lake Hood/Spenard if you're a pilot: ii) taking a flightseeing trip from either Merrill or Lake Hood/Spenard; or iii) hiking in Eagle River or Chugach State Park. Unless one is planning a multi-day trip (either flightseeing or hiking), no real reason to spend a day in Anchorage....

Well---- unless you have long term visits to relatives there?

PA12DRVR wrote:
FWIW, some thoughts:

4) Again, entirely FWIW, I'd support the proposed ordinance to ban parking lot camping. Even long-ish stays by competent RV'ers aren't a problem (in my view) but during the summer, there are all sorts of folks that push the boundaries: folks passing through that sleep in their cars, permanent transients that sleep in their cars; bums living in the back...etc, etc, etc. Anchorage needs an enforceable ordinance to stop that sort of thing.

Just FYI, I went up last summer and camped as well as sleeping in my car (SUV). I left no trace and probably spent as much as the average tourist. So why am I categorized with the transients and bums?

FWIW, some thoughts:

1) The Los Anchorage bowl is running out of developable land. Between dedicated parkland, black spruce bogs, and land that is zoned and taxed at high commercial, not much left for the limited commercial utility that an RV park can provide;
2) I can sympathize with not wanting to camp in either ER or Portage.....but also agree with Joe b. that picking the middle of some day to pass through Anchorage is a great way to deal with things.
3) Entirely FWIW and IMNSHO, the only reasons to stop in Los Anchorage other than stocking up are: i)seeing Lake Hood/Spenard if you're a pilot: ii) taking a flightseeing trip from either Merrill or Lake Hood/Spenard; or iii) hiking in Eagle River or Chugach State Park. Unless one is planning a multi-day trip (either flightseeing or hiking), no real reason to spend a day in Anchorage.
4) Again, entirely FWIW, I'd support the proposed ordinance to ban parking lot camping. Even long-ish stays by competent RV'ers aren't a problem (in my view) but during the summer, there are all sorts of folks that push the boundaries: folks passing through that sleep in their cars, permanent transients that sleep in their cars; bums living in the back...etc, etc, etc. Anchorage needs an enforceable ordinance to stop that sort of thing.

Trackrig wrote:
Yes, overall you can boondock just about anyplace in Alaska, but stop and think about in Anchorage. RV parks are very limited and very small. There's the:

Golden Nugget on Debarr across from Costco
Centennial Campround owned by the city for small rigs and tents
Midtown RV Park on Northern Lights which is very small
Anchorage Ship creek RV Park, newer but a little crowded
Creekwood Inn & RV Park - old & on it's last leg
Black Spruce - Military only

Considering as many RVs that come to town every summer, there's really very few spots for them.

Yes, again, there's lots of boondocking room around Alaska, you just won't find anything around Anchorage. On the north side of town you have to boondock out 50 miles to someplace north of Wasilla or Palmer.
On the south end you'll have to go about 50 miles also to the road going to Portage Glacier or into the RR parking area. They might let you stay one night, but then I'm sure the guards will ask you to leave. So there's not a lot of options in Anchorage.

Bill

Having stayed at some of these parks in Anchorage there is much room for improvement of existing parks, a need for new RV parks,and a community recognition that there is a need in the market place for quality RV camping facilities. Eagle River is about the nicest- but no hook ups.

We have to recognize that its tough to cover the significant expense of operating an RV park in AK given the short summer season for tourism. Thus we as patrons will likely pay a bit more for the quality we want and need in RV park facilities. I'm willing to fork that out in the Anchorage if the industry will step it up a bit.

IMHO There is not one park in Anchorage, other than Eagle River, I ever felt comfortable or secure in, but I need to stay in Anchorage when I am there. For me the answer isn't in a commercial parking lot. I hope things change.

Eagle River is an excellent place to stay if you want to do things in Anchorage but now that it is mentioned it will probably be packed, too. :)

Personally, I doubt this new ordinance will fly. There have been too many objections to it already.

There is also a camp ground in Eagle River (just a few miles north of Anchorage)right off the Glenn Highway and on the Eagle River. There are no hookups, but a nice campground just the same.

Devin Kelly
5:01 PM (4 hours ago)

to me
Hi Kenny, thanks so much for writing -- rest assured, we'll be following this too. Judging from the reaction I've been seeing today, it's got a long ways to go.
.
Best,
Devin

This is the reply I received from him

Sometimes a person gets stuck, so to speak, in Anchorage for a night or two. This proposed ordinance would be much more palatable if there were some first class campgrounds in town. Since the Anchorage RV Park, owned and operated by Cook Inlet Native Corp closed and built a mall at the location, there hasn't been any CGs in Anchorage, where we want to stay over night. I know the corporate mandate is to maximize profits for their shareholders, but sure hated to see that campground close.

Hopefully the city, with the new campground licensing provision mentioned in the article, with make the current campgrounds meet minimum standards on site sizes, security, etc. They have building codes for motels but obviously not for campgrounds currently.

We try to pass through Anchorage in the middle of the day, do our shopping as needed, and be in the Palmer/wasilla area that night or around Portage/Hope area depending on the direction of travel.

well, our only choice is to 'pay up' or stay clear of Anchorage.
My choice is to stay clear, Anchorage is just another large city anyway.
Too much else to see and do.