Camping in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve

Camping in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is intentionally simple, wild, and deeply tied to the landscape. There is one campground in the park: the walk-in primitive campground at Bartlett Cove, the only developed area in Glacier Bay. This is the practical base for independent travelers who want to sleep inside the park without the structure of a full-service campground. Beyond Bartlett Cove, Glacier Bay’s true camping experience extends into the backcountry, where overnight kayakers and wilderness travelers camp in remote coastal settings shaped by tidewater glaciers, rainforest, and long, quiet shorelines. The experience here is less about amenities and more about immersion. Bartlett Cove offers a straightforward, no-frills place to pitch a tent within reach of the visitor center, trails, and the waterfront, while the wider park delivers the kind of expedition-style camping that feels unmistakably Alaskan. Expect a setting defined by vast scale, changeable weather, and the possibility of seeing wildlife as part of daily camp life. Glacier Bay is largely a marine wilderness, so many overnight trips revolve around paddling, shoreline travel, and careful planning rather than traditional road-access camping. Practical preparation matters. There are no camping fees, which makes Glacier Bay unusually accessible for such a remote national park, but overnight campers and kayakers need a free backcountry permit, and anyone staying at the Bartlett Cove Primitive Campground must attend a camper orientation at the Visitor Information Station. Come prepared for wet weather, cold nights, and the self-reliant demands of coastal Alaska. If you want comfort and convenience, Bartlett Cove is the clear choice; if you want solitude and a true wilderness camping experience, Glacier Bay’s backcountry is where the park reveals its full character.