Centennial Park

Gateway to Anchorage Adventures

Located in east Anchorage close to downtown and the Glenn Highway, Centennial Park provides a convenient base for exploring Alaska. The park balances a natural camping experience while remaining close to city conveniences.

Need to grab some supplies or crave a coffee shop break? The urban amenities of Anchorage are just minutes away, yet you'll still fall asleep to the peaceful rustling of trees rather than city traffic.

A Glimpse of Alaska's Past

The park has quite the backstory, dating back to 1966 when it was acquired through land selection. Named to commemorate the Alaska Centennial, it started life with dual personality - summer haven for campers and winter playground for cold-weather enthusiasts.

Back in its early days, the park boasted a ticket booth, tow shack, and even a lit alpine ski hill. Visitors during February in those years might have caught one of the lively winter carnivals that brought the community together.

Camp Your Way

Today, the park primarily is a woodsy retreat with 84 sites catering to all camping styles. Whether you're traveling in a fully-equipped RV (21 sites offer electrical hookups), prefer to go electricity-free (20 non-electric RV spots), want flexibility (42 combined RV/tent sites), or are traveling with a group (two dedicated group sites), you can find your perfect spot among the trees.

You'll have access to all the essentials - restrooms, showers, a playground for the little ones, and dumping stations for RVs. At around $25 per night, it's one of the more wallet-friendly options you'll discover in the Anchorage area.

Keeping Things Running Smoothly

The Municipality of Anchorage manages the park with care. Stop by the charming log cabin office to chat with municipal staff or campground hosts who can point you toward local attractions or provide travel updates. They keep the office staffed seven days a week, and security personnel regularly patrol the grounds for peace of mind. For added security, bathroom facilities require access codes.

Summer Happenings

The summer months bring Centennial Park to life with community gatherings. The weekend farmers market offers local produce and handcrafted goods - handy if you want fresh ingredients for cooking at your campsite.

One of the park's quiet retreats happens on Sundays with the Hmong Food Market. This market features Asian cuisine including Thai tea, sticky rice, fresh rolls, and other specialties popular with both locals and visitors.

Room to Play

The park has several activities available on-site. Kids can burn off energy at the well-maintained playground, while adults might appreciate the open grassy areas fantastic for a picnic or afternoon nap.

Like to stay active? Winding trails through the wooded setting provide peaceful morning walks, and sports enthusiasts can head to the baseball field at the south end of the park.

Looking Forward

The park continues to evolve with recent improvements focused on enhancing your experience. You'll benefit from better electrical service and Wi-Fi improvements (because sometimes you need to share those Alaska sunset photos), improved drainage and landscaping, and there are plans in the works for bathroom upgrades and a new pavilion.