Cooper Landing, Alaska · Kenai Peninsula County · Campground
Overview Tenderfoot Creek Campground unveils views of the surrounding mountains from every direction and offers campsites that face the edge of a glistening lake. Perched along Summit Lake on the Eastern Kenai Peninsula of Alaska, Tenderfoot Creek provides an ideal destination for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking an…
Overview Tenderfoot Creek Campground unveils views of the surrounding mountains from every direction and offers campsites that face the edge of a glistening lake. Perched along Summit Lake on the Eastern Kenai Peninsula of Alaska, Tenderfoot Creek provides an ideal destination for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking and wildlife watching. Campers may experience morning wakeup calls from loons or view bald eagles fishing in the clear waters. Impressive wildlife inhabitants include moose, brown and black bears, mountain goats, lynx and wolves. Campsites are nicely spaced along the eastern shores of Summit Lake. Tenderfoot Creek passes through the campground and surrounding forest includes spruce and hemlock.Recreation The Summit Lake Trail heads south of Summit Lake and connects with the Resurrection Pass Trail, a wonderful 39-mile hiking and biking trail that climbs 2,100 feet of elevation, providing excellent views of the area. The lake is stocked with Dolly Varden and Rainbow trout. Winter recreation includes backcountry skiing, snow-boarding and snowshoeing.Facilities Tenderfoot Creek campers enjoy amenities such as drinking water, vault toilets, picnic tables, trash collection, fire pits and a boat ramp. The majority of campsites are pull-through and parking aprons are gravel. Firewood can be purchased onsite.Natural Features Summit Lake is a small cirque lake, or tarn, reaching a depth of 20 feet. This cirque was the beginning of a long-gone, alpine glacier. The surrounding terrain and unique mountain landscape is all glacially carved. Contact Info For local information, please call (907) 522-8368 or call (907) 288-3178 for general information. Nearby Attractions Visit Portage Glacier in the Portage Valley, a 14-mile isthmus that connects the Kenai Peninsula to mainland Alaska. Glacial remnants that can be seen today are Explorer, Middle, Byron, Burns and Shakespeare glaciers.
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How to Get There
From Anchorage, go south on Seward Highway approximately 81 miles to Summit Lake. Turn at milepost 46 before Summit Lake Lodge.
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
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Dry bags for electronics
Phone, camera, and snacks should stay dry.
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Hand warmers
Cold mornings — chemical warmers fit in gloves or pockets.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to TENDERFOOT CREEK
Heading to TENDERFOOT CREEK? A few things to know before you go:
Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for TENDERFOOT CREEK?
No central reservation system listed for TENDERFOOT CREEK. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234108) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How many campsites are at TENDERFOOT CREEK?
TENDERFOOT CREEK has 36 campsites. Site amenities (hookups, vehicle limits, ADA access) vary — see the individual campsite pages for details.
How do I get to TENDERFOOT CREEK?
From Anchorage, go south on Seward Highway approximately 81 miles to Summit Lake. Turn at milepost 46 before Summit Lake Lodge.
