Trail River Campground
 We accidentally stumbled upon this campground when
Ptarmigan Creek Campground was full one evening.
We were not the least bit disappointed.
This federal campground is gorgeous, and there was plenty of room.
I doubt the place was even half full.
After Claimjumper had set up camp for the night we walked over to the
lake and sat on an old driftwood log. With
arms around one another we watched the sun set between the mountains on the far
side of the lake.
Head south from Anchorage towards Seward on the Seward
Highway. Watch for the brown and
cream colored sign just before the Crown Point Bed and Breakfast between
mileposts 25 and 24 on the right side of the road.
 This federal campground
boasts 63 campsites throughout four
separate loops. There is water at
hand pumps and toilets in each of the loops.
The two end loops feature campsites that are right next to the edge of
Kenai Lake. Each campsite has a
picnic table and fire ring. The
tent sites are flat and the soil allows stakes to penetrate easily. One of the loops is designed specifically for RVs and have a
number of pull-through sites. There
are no hookups. Sites can be
reserved by calling 1-877-444-6777. The
cost is $10.00 per night.
The day use area features a large cabana that
could host at least fifty people.
There are picnic tables and a barbeque pit inside the cabana, so you can have a
picnic even if it is raining. There
is a volleyball court and horseshoe pit right next to the cabana.
All around the cabana area there are more parking spaces with picnic
tables and fire rings, but these are not covered.
Trail Creek runs at the bottom of the bluff. The day use area can be
reserved for large parties. There
are toilets here. There did not
appear to be a charge for just using the day use area.
Over 700 trees had to be removed from the campsite after
spruce bark beetles came through and ravaged the Kenai Peninsula.
Thus, the sites are more open than usual.
This was especially nice when we woke to a beautifully sunny day.
Mountains surround the entire area and the views are breathtaking.
As we ate our breakfast we were joined by one of the locals -- a small
ground squirrel was begging for food.
 After breakfast Claimjumper and I walked back to the lake
and hiked to the right along the shore. Someday
we want to return to kayak in the lake and this campground would be an ideal
launch area. The round flat stones
on the beach have been worn smooth to resemble stone coins.
Claimjumper found herself a walking stick among the beautiful driftwood.
Lake Kenai is glacier fed, which accounts for its amazing green color.
At one point
we thought we had come to the end of the beach when another couple pointed out a
trail that runs over the stone outcropping allowing passage to the cove on the
other side. At the cove end of the
short trail there was a huge patch of high bush cranberries.
Low bush cranberries can be found all around the campground.
Last Visited: August 2000
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