Researching where to camp in Homer, Alaska? Whether you’re set on setting up camp right on the iconic Homer Spit, a 4.5-mile (7.2-km) piece of land stretching into Kachemak Bay, in Homer proper, or along your drive down the Sterling Highway, we’ve got you covered. This guide breaks down the best campgrounds and RV parks in and around Homer, Alaska, including costs, amenities, and the location of each spot.
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ℹ️ Camping in Homer: Know Before You Go
1. Operating Season
Most campgrounds in and around Homer operate seasonally, typically opening in late May or early June and closing in September, depending on weather conditions that year. A few RV parks remain open year-round, but amenities may be limited outside of peak summer months. Always double-check opening dates or contact the business directly if you’re traveling early or late in the season.
2. Campground Reservations
Homer is a popular summer destination, and campgrounds (especially those on the Homer Spit) can fill up quickly. We recommend booking reservations well in advance for June through August if you have your eye on a campground that allows reservations, like an RV Park or a KOA.
3. Public Dump Station
If you’re traveling in a van or RV like us, this dump station is available right on Homer Spit by the restroom building, which comes in handy once you’re further down on the Spit. That being said, they charge $15 to dump and $20 to refill potable water, so we recommend taking advantage of the free water but paid dump station in Homer proper.
🏕️ List of RV Parks & Campgrounds in Homer, Alaska
Below, we’ve rounded up the top municipal, private, and free camping spots on the way to Homer, on the Homer Spit, and even across the bay in Kachemak Bay State Park. Click on the name to jump down to an extended section where you can read more, see photos of each campground, and, when possible, reserve your spot!
💚 We’ve put a heart next to our two favorite spots we camped in and around Homer!
| Campground | Price | Tent or RV |
|---|---|---|
| Grewingk Glacier Lake 💚 | Free | ⛺ |
| Mariner Park | $20-$30 | ⛺ 🚐 |
| Homer Spit Campground | $45-$60 | ⛺ 🚐 |
| Heritage RV Park | $80-$110 | ⛺ 🚐 |
| Homer Spit Tent Camping | $20 | ⛺ |
| Fishing Hole Campground | $20-$30 | ⛺ 🚐 |
| Homer / Baycrest KOA Holiday | $40-$100+ | ⛺ 🚐 |
| Anchor Point Campgrounds (Various) | Free to $60 | ⛺ 🚐 |
| Whiskey Gulch Campground 💚 | Free | ⛺ 🚐 |
| Sterling Highway Pulloff | Free | 🚐 |
| Driftwood Inn RV Park | $52 | 🚐 |
| Ocean Shores RV Park | $35-$70 | ⛺ 🚐 |
🗺️ Map of RV Parks & Campgrounds in Homer, Alaska
How to use this map: We have saved the locations from this guide on this map. You can save this map to your Google Maps by pressing the star icon. In your Google Maps, click the menu icon and then Saved Maps, where this map will appear.
Backpacking Grewingk Glacier Lake (Kachemak Bay State Park)
Camping by Grewingk Glacier Lake in Kachemak Bay State Park became one of our favorite memories from our trip to Homer, Alaska. To reach the beach camping area, you’ll need to take a water taxi from the Homer Spit and then hike from there. We went with the local company, Ashore Water Taxi, and paid $85 per person (plus tip), which includes the state park fee.
From the drop-off, it’s a flat ~3-mile (4.8-km) hike to the glacier lake, making this spot very accessible even with minimal backpacking experience. This was actually our first backpacking trip in 10 years, and we couldn’t have asked for a better trip!
Once you arrive, the left side of the shoreline is day-use only, while the right side is designated for camping—with a pit toilet near the end of the trail (our understanding: number two in the toilet, number one in the bushes). We walked the shoreline until we found a quiet spot and ended up tucked behind rocks near the lake, surrounded by floating icebergs—easily one of the most peaceful camps we’ve had in Alaska!
We filtered lake water for coffee and dinner, enjoyed a small fire using existing driftwood (being mindful to leave some for others), and shared the area with a handful of other campers staying multiple nights. If you have an inflatable paddleboard, this lake is an incredible paddleboarding spot!
🐻 Practice Bear Safety! Kachemak Bay State Park is bear country, so hike and camp smart—make noise while traveling, store food in bear boxes, and always carry bear spray and know how to use it. You can also just rent bear spray in Anchorage if you want to save some money.
⛺ Type: Tent-only
💲 Price: Free but you’ll have to arrange transportation
📞 Reservations: First-come, first-serve
☎️ Contact: N/A
Mariner Park
Mariner Park is one of the cheapest places to camp on the spit, a no-frills campground right at the base of the Homer Spit. You’ll be right next to your camping neighbor, but in a great location, and at $20 for tents and $30 for RVs and vans, it’s one of the more affordable options on the Spit. With this price, keep in mind that there are no showers, laundry, dump stations, or hook-ups.
From this campground, you can bike or walk the Homer Spit Trail, explore Homer Spit’s dining and shopping district, or hang out directly on the beach itself. You’ll see people walking their dogs, surfing, beachcombing, birdwatching, and more.
⛺ Type: Tent and RV
💲 Price: $20 for Tent, $30 for RV
📞 Reservations: First-come first-serve
☎️ Contact: 907-235-1583
Homer Spit Campground
Homer Spit Campground is one of the nicer campgrounds on the Homer Spit, with many tent and RV spots available. Some sights are right on the waterfront, while others are a row or two behind them, and they are a mix of gravel, dirt, and grass. These are the nicest places to camp on the spit.
If you camp here, you’ll be within walking distance from all the restaurants, tour operators, and the marina on the Homer Spit. You can also enjoy your own picnic table and fire ring, available at every spot. There are hot showers available for $2 for campers, as well as laundry, a dump station, and drinking water.
⛺ Type: Tent and RV
💲 Price: $45-60/night
📞 Reservations: Online Booking
☎️ Contact: 907-235-8206
Heritage RV Park
Heritage RV Park is a mix between Homer Spit Campground and Mariner Park. Located right south of the Homer Theatre, this park is open to both tent campers and RVers.
With restrooms, showers, wifi, laundry, and amazing views comes a bigger price tag, ranging from $80 to $110 a night, depending on the site type and how big your vehicle is. All sites here include full hookups as well!
⛺ Type: Tent and RV
💲 Price: $60-85/night
📞 Reservations: Online Booking
☎️ Contact: 907-226-4500
Homer Spit Tent Beach Camping
Homer Spit Tent Beach Camping is great for, you guessed it, tent campers! At just $20/night with public restrooms just across the street, this municipal campground is a great, affordable option for those staying in a tent. There is free parking on the other side of the road, which you can use for up to one week.
⛺ Type: Tent-Only
💲 Price: $20/night
📞 Reservations: First-come, first-serve
☎️ Contact: N/A
Fishing Hole Campground
Fishing Hole Campground is another simple municipal RV and tent campground right next to Homer Spit’s Fishing Hole. With toilets and a dump station, you can stay at this no-frills spot right on the spit for $20 to $30 a day, depending on whether you are tent camping or in a van or RV.
If you’re lucky, you might be able to score a spot right on the beachfront. If not, at the most you’ve be a vehicle or two back from the shoreline. There’s a bait and tackle shop just across the street as well, which comes in handy if you plan on fishing.
⛺ Type: Tent and RV
💲 Price: $20 for Tent, $30 for RV
📞 Reservations: First-come, first-serve
☎️ Contact: N/A
Homer / Baycrest KOA Holiday
Just a 10-minute drive from the base of Homer Spit, you’ll find Homer / Baycrest KOA Holiday. KOA campgrounds are a great choice if you’re looking to book in advance, have reliable amenities, and enjoy a well-maintained campground with clear rules and easy access.
This KOA offers full-hookup RV sites, tent sites, private lodging, restrooms, hot showers, laundry facilities, and Wi-Fi, making it a comfortable option for both short stays and longer visits. Its waterside location just outside of downtown Homer also makes it easy to explore Homer, while still enjoying a quieter spot away from the crowds.
⛺ Type: Tent and RV (and Lodging)
💲 Price: $40-80 for Tent, $55-100 for RV
📞 Reservations: Online Booking
☎️ Contact: 907-299-4712
Anchor Point Campgrounds (Various)
There are several established state campgrounds for $20 a night in Anchor Point, just a 25-minute drive north of downtown Homer. Here, you’ll be in a less busy area compared to that of Homer Spit, while still being right on the water and right off of Sterling Highway. Below are 4 of the most popular ones we found registered on iOverlander:
- Halibut Campground: Established, small campground suitable for tents, vans, and pickup campers. Sites are gravel and well spaced out, with picnic tables and fire pits at each for $20 a night.
- Kyllonen’s RV Park (No Tent): Small RV Park with spots from $54-60 per day, depending on rig size. With wifi, laundry, and full hookups, this RV Park is a more affordable option than those in Homer Proper or on the Spit.
- Slidehole Campground: Basic tent and RV-friendly campground with bathrooms and some fire pits. You can stay here for $20 a night.
- Anchor Point Beach Dispersed Camping: Free dispersed camping area right on the beach, best for 4×4 vehicles. To camp here, you have to head out on low tide. If you’re unsure about your vehicle’s ability to pass, walk the sand trail first. Not suitable for big rigs.
🦅 Bald Eagle Area! This is a great spot to see Bald Eagles, though, so definitely stop by on your way in or out of Homer, even if you aren’t staying here.
⛺ Type: Tent and RV
💲 Price: Varies (See Above)
📞 Reservations: Varies
☎️ Contact: Varies
Whiskey Gulch Campground
Whiskey Gulch Campground is a free, remote campground for tents and RVs right on the beach and 30 minutes away from downtown Homer. This is where we stayed for several nights and loved our time! As we were so remote, our long walks on the beach at sunset were doubly enjoyable.
🦅 Bald Eagle Area! This is a great spot to see Bald Eagles as well as the Anchor Point area (mentioned above), so definitely stop by on your way in or out of Homer, even if you aren’t staying here.
Getting to the camping area was a bit tricky as the incline from the main road was quite steep. It was probably the steepest road we’ve ever been on in this van! We were concerned at first, but our AWD Sprinter Van was able to handle it in the end.
We saw tents, large RVs, and other vans using the area. If you can get up the hill, this is a great place to stay for up to 14 days! Also, if you are lucky enough to have a clear day, you can see the mountains lining Lake Clark National Park in the distance—absolutely stunning!
📍 There are a few more campgrounds in the area, Whiskey Point RV Park ($50) and Stariski State Campground ($20) to name a few, but we are just highlighting Whiskey Gulch as it’s free!
⛺ Type: Tent and RV
💲 Price: Free
📞 Reservations: First-come, first-serve
☎️ Contact: N/A
Sterling Highway Pull Off
If you’re looking for a free pull-off on the Sterling Highway just 15 minutes outside of town, we can recommend this pull-off just south of Anchor Point. Suitable for cars, RVs, or vans, this is the closest free camping to Homer. As it’s right off the main road, you’ll have some road noise to deal with, but it didn’t affect our sleep the one night we stayed here. Tent camping is not permitted here. Pack it in and pack it out to keep places like this free for the future.
⛺ Type: RV-only
💲 Price: Free
📞 Reservations: N/A
☎️ Contact: N/A
Driftwood Inn RV Park
Driftwood Inn RV Park is a small RV Park open year-round with waterfront views located just at the base of the Spit. For $52 a night, you’ve got full hookups, showers, and laundry. And at walking distance to the Spit and to downtown Homer, this is a great option for RVers or vanlifers looking to be right in downtown Homer, or are travelling during the off season.
⛺ Type: RV-only
💲 Price: $52
📞 Reservations: Online Booking
☎️ Contact: 907-235-8019
🏨 Alternatives to Camping in Homer, Alaska
If camping isn’t your style, or you just want to explore other options, there are plenty of alternatives to camping in Homer, Alaska. From cozy cabins to waterfront inns, we’ve rounded up four options that will let you enjoy Homer’s scenery and outdoorsy vibe without pitching a tent:
- KOA Lodging Options: If you didn’t see it mentioned above, the Homer / Baycrest KOA also offers cabins, yurts, and more. This is a great option if you like the social, outdoorsy feel of a campground but want a bit more comfort and solid amenities.
- Driftwood Inn: Located in Homer Proper, Driftwood Inn is a convenient, budget-friendly inn that puts you close to restaurants, shops, and Bishop’s Beach.
- Alaska Adventure Cabins: These well-equipped cabins offer a cozy, private stay just outside of town on Sterling Highway. These cabins are perfect if you want easy access to Homer without staying directly on the Spit.
- Lakeshore Lodging Cabins: Sitting right on Beluga Lake, these cozy log cabins offer peaceful lake views with the convenience of being close to downtown Homer and at the base of the Homer Spit.
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🚗 How to Get to Homer Spit, Alaska
The Homer Spit is located at the very end of the Sterling Highway (Alaska Route 1), making it a unique destination where the road actually ends. Whether you’re traveling from Anchorage or a nearby town, getting there is half the adventure, as the journey takes you through the beautiful Kenai Peninsula.
- By Car: The most common way to get to Homer is by taking the scenic 220-mile drive down the Sterling Highway from Anchorage, which typically takes around 4.5 to 5 hours without stops. If you don’t have your own, we recommend renting a car.
- By Public Transport: Daily bus services, such as the Alaska Bus Company, run from Anchorage directly to Homer, offering a convenient way to travel without a car.
- By Plane: For the fastest route, you can take a short commuter flight from Anchorage to Homer Airport (HOM)—a quick and scenic trip with multiple daily flights.
🌡️ Homer, Alaska Weather
The most popular time to visit Homer is during the summer months (June through August), when the weather is mild, wildlife is active, and nearly all local businesses, restaurants, and tours are open. Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect by season:
- Summer (June–Aug): Peak season with the best weather, long daylight hours, and all tours and restaurants open. Perfect for camping, kayaking, and exploring the Homer Spit. We visited in July, and the weather was perfect for hiking, camping, and general exploring.
- Shoulder Seasons (May & Sept): Fewer crowds and lower prices while still offering decent weather. Some tours and businesses may have limited hours, but it’s a peaceful time to visit.
- Winter (Oct–Apr): Quiet and cold, with limited services and shorter days. That said, you’ll get a true local experience and stunning snowy views of Kachemak Bay if you don’t mind the solitude.
🎣 Fishing Tip: If halibut fishing is on your list, plan your trip for June or July, when the bite is best and the weather is most reliable for getting out on the water.
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- 15 Best Things to Do in Homer, Alaska (Free & Paid)
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