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When visitors camp at Childs Glacier Recreation Area, they're instantly captivated by spectacular views of Childs Glacier, which is famous for it's calving icebergs that put on a great show. Other must-do activities in the area include hiking along the river and fishing for salmon. Childs Glacier is the only glacier reached by road where visitors can see calving occurring. When icebergs fall from the glacier, they are sometimes so large that they send a 10-foot wave rippling across the river to the opposite shore.
The Copper River boasts plenty of salmon. Wildlife watching opportunities include moose and both grizzly and black bears. Lucky campers may spot bears fishing on the opposite side of the river.
Recommended trails include Copper River and Miles Lake. Copper River Trail is rather flat and marshy, with dense vegetation. Stellar waterfowl watching abounds on this hike.
The campground is suited for tent camping. Picnic tables, vault toilets, and interpretive trails are available. Drinking water is from hand pumps.
The recreation area is nestled in the Chugach Mountains on the south coast of Alaska. Many campsites boast views of the mountains and the top of Childs Glacier. Alder willow, devil's club and fern make up much of the campground understory. Tall cottonwoods dominate overhead. The campground is about 300 feet from the Copper River, which is wide, shallow and glacier fed.
The historic Million Dollar Bridge, constructed in 1910, is nearby. The bridge over the Copper River was used to transport copper from the old mining town of Kennicott to the port of Cordova.
From Cordova, the campground is 48 miles east on the Copper River Highway. The campground is just before the Million Dollar Bridge. A section of the highway at mile 36 washed out requiring a short boat ride to the other side. Several companies provide a ferry service and transportation to the campground.
It's very difficult to get to Childs Glacier at the moment, since one bridge is out and the road is washed out also. You need to either take a powerful boat or a helicopter. If you do make it, you're in for a treat. There aren't many campgrounds next to a glacier. It's beautiful here. And at the moment you'll almost certainly have the entire place to yourself.
The million dollar highway that leads to the recreation area and the Million Dollar Bridge has been washed out for many years (at least 4). We took a jet boat to get across the missing bridge that became one of the highlights of the trip! We then were met by a nice group who drove us the rest of the way to the rec area. I flew my drone, took a short hike, and the then we all went over to the million dollar bridge. The views of Child's Glacier were simply spectacular. We literally had the park to ourselves. Our guides were so nice and provided lunch and snack throughout the day. We then took a hike to an overlook on the opposite side of the river so the most spectacular views in the world! If you ever get to Cordova, this is a must see and must do adventure.
