Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Group Campground
Campground · Alaska · 2 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Kenai Mountains Roadless Area (Roadlessarea Rule (2001)) · Open Access
- 2
- Bookable sites
- up to 15
- People per site
- 147 ft
- Elevation
Overview
The Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Group Campground is located at the head of the beautiful Placer River Valley at the Spencer Whistlestop. The campsites are nestled among the cottonwood and alder that have grown in after Spencer Glacier’s retreat. This area known for packrafting, wildlife viewing, glacier viewing, and hiking. One can frequently see icebergs floating on Spencer Glacier Lake and might even be able to watch the glacier calving!
The two group campsites at Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Group Campground are available for reservations in the summer months while the Glacier Discovery Train is running on the Alaska Railroad. During these months, train transportation is required to reach the Spencer Whistlestop. To book train tickets visit the Alaska Railroad website.
Recreation
Spencer Glacier Lake offers amazing opportunities for packrafting, kayaking, or canoeing. All these options allow you to explore the amazing icebergs floating in the lake. It also allows you to get close to Spencer Glacier and amaze at it’s vast size. Please note, glacier calving can cause large, unpredictable waves on the lake, so it is recommended that you stay at least 500 yards away.
This area also offers other recreational opportunities including easy hiking, rock climbing, and fishing during the summer months. In the winter this area is popular with backcountry skiers, snowmobilers and ice climbers.
Facilities
The Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Group Campground offers two group campsites. Campsite A can accommodate up to 15 guests and Campsite B can accommodate up to 10 guests or both sites can be book together to accommodate parties of up to 25 guests. The two campsites share a common area that has three picnic tables, a bear box, tarp poles, and a campfire ring. There is also a vault toilet located 100 yards from the common area, toilet paper is not supplied.
Natural Features
The Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Group Campground is located at the head of Placer River Valley near the Placer River outflow from Spencer Glacier Lake and is surrounded by the beautiful Kenai Mountains. There is a viewing area for Spencer Glacier located ¼ mile down trail. Black and brown bears, wolves, lynx, wolverine, and moose inhabit the area. Mountain goats, marmots, arctic ground squirrels and spruce grouse may be spotted higher in the mountains around Spencer Glacier Lake. Crow berries and Salmon Berries are plentiful at higher elevations in the late summer, along with low-bush blueberries.
Contact Info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (907) 783-3242.Nearby Attractions
Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Campground is located off the road system and accessible by train only. To book train tickets visit the Alaska Railroad website.
The facts
- 2 bookable sites
- Up to 15 people per site
- Loops: Spencer Glacier
Site types
- 2 Group Walk To
Amenities
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, grills, shade.
2 campsites at Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Group Campground
Check-in 02:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Access | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Spencer Glacier | Group Walk To | — | — | Hike In | — | 15 | 🐾 |
| B | Spencer Glacier | Group Walk To | — | — | Hike In | — | 10 | 🐾 |
Getting there
During Summer months train transportation is required to reach the Spencer Whistlestop. To catch the train (reservations required ) into the Spencer Whistle Stop, drive south from Anchorage on the Seward Highway to the Portage Rail Depot (Milepost 80) and check in at the Train station.
60.69880, -149.04287 · 60°41'55.7"N 149°2'34.3"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 6.0 | 5.5 | 5.1 | 5.9 | 4.3 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 4.4 | 8.2 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 8.4 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 6.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Group Campground
- Can you reserve a site at Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Group Campground?
- Yes, Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Group Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Group Campground have?
- 2 sites.
- Are pets allowed at Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Group Campground?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Group Campground.
Camping near Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Group Campground
- Spencer Bench Cabin 1.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Bertha Creek Campground 8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Black Bear Campground 8.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Williwaw Campground 8.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Granite Creek 8.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Tenderfoot Creek 16 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Spencer Whistle Stop 0.6 mi · Facility
- Bertha Creek Campground 8 mi · Campground
- Black Bear Campground 8.1 mi · Campground
- Begich, Boggs Visitor Center 9 mi · Facility
- Chugach National Forest N Entry Sign 14 mi · Facility
- Coeur d'Alene Campground 19.6 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone (907) 783-3242
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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