Childs Glacier Recreation Area

Overview

When visitors camp at Childs Glacier Recreation Area, they're instantly captivated by spectacular views of Childs Glacier, which is famous for it's calving icebergs that put on a great show. Other must-do activities in the area include hiking along the river and fishing for salmon. Childs Glacier is the only glacier reached by road where visitors can see calving occurring. When icebergs fall from the glacier, they are sometimes so large that they send a 10-foot wave rippling across the river to the opposite shore.

Recreation

The Copper River boasts plenty of salmon. Wildlife watching opportunities include moose and both grizzly and black bears. Lucky campers may spot bears fishing on the opposite side of the river.

Recommended trails include Copper River and Miles Lake. Copper River Trail is rather flat and marshy, with dense vegetation. Stellar waterfowl watching abounds on this hike.

Facilities

The campground is suited for tent camping. Picnic tables, vault toilets, and interpretive trails are available. Drinking water is from hand pumps.

Natural Features

The recreation area is nestled in the Chugach Mountains on the south coast of Alaska. Many campsites boast views of the mountains and the top of Childs Glacier. Alder willow, devil's club and fern make up much of the campground understory. Tall cottonwoods dominate overhead. The campground is about 300 feet from the Copper River, which is wide, shallow and glacier fed.

Nearby Attractions

The historic Million Dollar Bridge, constructed in 1910, is nearby. The bridge over the Copper River was used to transport copper from the old mining town of Kennicott to the port of Cordova.