The Russian River Campground within the Chugach National Forest will be closed to the public, both vehicles and pedestrians, from Mar. 24 until Jun. 3, 2025. This closure began on Monday and is due to a major road reconstruction project that will continue until Jun. 3.
The Seward Ranger District has issued the closure, which includes all roads, trails, parking lots, campground loops, and other facilities within the closed area.
According to the announcement, the project entails replacing a one-mile section of Russian River Campground Road; heavy machinery will be used daily to embed new retaining walls and enhance the overall roadway strength. Officials say the scale of the work poses a “clear, immediate, and continuous health and safety risk,” which requires a total closure.
All the ways leading to the campground will also be blocked. The Russian Lakes Trail will be shut down from the campground road to the intersection of the upper and lower parking lot trails. However, the Angler’s Trail is still usable and can be reached “by boat from the Kenai River or by using the Russian River Ferry at Sportsman’s Landing”.
Aspen Flats and Upper Russian Lake Cabins will remain available for booking but can only be reached from the Snug Harbor Road trailhead as the trail from the Lower Russian Lakes trailhead will be closed. Barber Cabin reservations are also on hold until the campground opens.
The work on retaining walls is followed by paving and safety rail installation that will continue for the rest of this year. The upgrades are expected to enhance the “long-term access and protect salmon habitat by reducing hillside erosion.”
For information on alternate camping and updates, visitors are invited to visit Recreation.gov or the Chugach National Forest website.
