Willow Creek Campground

The Great Outdoors

Willow Creek State Recreational Area surrounds the campground and offers amazing outdoor recreational opportunities. This valley was formed by a glacier about 9,000 years ago, which left behind numerous ponds and lakes. This is a perfect habitat for many species of birds and mammals, including beaver and waterfowl. Hunting is allowed from September to May, and you can also enjoy fishing in the ponds. There are several scenic hiking trails in the park with great opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography.Denali National Park and Preserve is about a two-hour drive north when you're camping at Willow Creek Campground. This stunning park covers over six million acres of land, with taiga forest, alpine tundra, river streams, and snowy mountains. Most of the visitors come to this park in the summertime on bus tours. There is only one road in Denali, and the bus tour is the best way to see the park. There are also other ways to explore the park, like hiking, camping, backpacking, or biking. This is one of the places in Alaska where you can experience dog sledding too.Chugach National Forest is in the opposite direction from Denali when you're camping at Willow Creek Campground. With snowy mountains on one side and ocean coast on the other, this is an incredibly beautiful place to visit. If you like fishing, you can find large populations of salmon in the Russian River. For a glacier visit, head over to Portage Valley, where you can see the Portage Glacier. There are also many beautiful hiking trails where you can enjoy gorgeous views and do some wildlife sightseeing. The park is open year-round, so you can try some winter sports as well as water sports, depending on when are you visiting the area.

Exploring the City

A sled dog kennel is very close to the campground, and it offers dog sledding tours. Visitors also have the opportunity to visit dogs and see how they live. Enjoy petting puppies and listening to the tour guide, who will explain everything about traditional dog sledding in Alaska. Meet their best athletes and spend an amazing time outdoors. The kennel also offers overnight stays and tours year-round.Independence Mine State Historical Park and Visitor Center is just an hour's drive east when you are travel trailer camping at Willow Creek Campground. This was one of the main gold mining locations during the gold rush at the end of the 19th century. Here you will learn what it was like in mining camps and how the workers lived, worked, and died. There are a visitor center and a museum located inside the mine manager’s house. From there, you can start your tour of the camp on your own or with a tour guide.In Wasilla, you can visit, among the other attractions, the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry. This museum is dedicated to the history of Alaska, and it shows how all the resources were used and how the workers, residents, and products were moved around. See some of the old trains, machines, and other vehicles, including an airplane. The museum organizes interesting events throughout the year, including holidays.