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The Knik River Public Use Area offers hundreds of miles of trails for exploring. The most prominent land features around here include the Knik Glacier, Knik River, Pioneer Peak, Jim Creek, Bodenburg Creek, Friday Creek, Metal Creek, and Hunter Creek. The high elevation Chugach Mountains—which form the Knik River Valley—make for a dramatic backdrop to the alluvial gravel bars and winding braids of the Knik River. Overall, the area feels rugged and remote, which is what makes it such a popular destination for campers, off-road enthusiasts, fixed-wing aviators, horseback riders, and boaters. If you’re a bird-watcher, boater, angler, or hunter, you’ll particularly love the sprawling lakes and wetlands complex on the north side of the river.
The area as a whole, though, offers a wide range of outdoor recreational pursuits, for all ages and interests. Park at the Sullivan trail head, for instance, and you can head south into the woods. Once you hit the main wide trail (you’ll recognize it!), just follow it east. That trail opens up into the Knik River gravel bed, with views of the Knik Glacier, and Chugach Mountains. For a quieter experience, explore the dozens of side-trails. You can’t go wrong: the views from any of them will lay your heart wide open.
It's come a long way from the free for all it was when I was a kid. Other than the occasional jerk spinning donuts in the parking lot kicking up (even more) dust it's a good time. $5 day use parking is pretty reasonable for having trash cans and toilets. Lots of room to park.
A great place to ride trail bike, atv, and SxS toys. Lots of trails and a good variety of terrain and surfaces from soft silt to sand to dirt to mud.
There's usually a lot of people and not everyone is careful and watching for oncoming traffic so be warned.
Camping in an RV is noisy because kids always ride through while reving their noisy two stroke screaming motorcycles. I'm there to ride also so I wish the parents would teach them to NOT make noise for the fun of annoying people.
Nice campground. A little dusty from all the wheelers but spots 23,24,25, & 26 are the best ones back within the trees. Can get busy on 4th of July but over all a great area. If you don't have wheelers just know it is busy and folks like to party and have a great time.
A great place to meet up and hit the trails with friends. The bathrooms are unlocked in the winter and always have toilet paper. Don't laugh, it is a big deal when you need it and don't have it.
Went to see the glacier and Holy mackerel it was beautiful. If any Alaskan hasn't gone out there they are totally missing out. Took the Argo out on a fantastic argoventure.
