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.
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 description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
US Forest Service (USFS)
National Park Service (NPS)
US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
Department Of Defense (DOD)
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
Other Federal
State
Local
Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
Alaska Native Allotment
Road
Primitive Road
Road
Primitive Road
Trail
Roads open to all Vehicles, Yearlong
Roads open to all Vehicles, Seasonal
Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Yearlong
Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal
Special Designation, Yearlong
Special Designation, Seasonal
Trails open to all vehicles, Yearlong
Trails open to all vehicles, Seasonal
Trails open to vehicles 50" or less in width, Yearlong
Trails open to vehicles 50" or less in width, Seasonal
Trails open to motorcycles, Yearlong
Trails open to motorcycles, Seasonal
Special Designation, Seasonal
Trails Open to Wheeled Vehicles Only < 50" in Width, Yearlong
Trails Open to Wheeled Vehicles Only < 50" or Less in Width, Seasonal
Wilderness Area
Wilderness Study Area