Mill Campground will open for its third season Wednesday, offering 20 tent platforms and accompanying facilities free of charge on the Mount Roberts hillside between Franklin Dock and Taku Smokeries until Oct. 13, Juneau’s Parks and Recreation Department announced Monday.
The campground about a mile south of downtown Juneau, which replaced the more difficult to access Thane Campground, was full almost every day last year, said Michelle Elfers, deputy director of the city park’s department.
“We had anywhere from 17 to 22 on average,” she said, noting two people occupied tents on some of the platforms. “It’s pretty fluid; it comes and goes.”
The campers were almost entirely locals in need of shelter, and even with a return of a significant number of tourists last summer their presence at the campsite “are nothing we would notice,” Elfers said.
The campground is a partnership between the city, AJT Mining Properties, Alaska Electric Light and Power and The Glory Hall.
“The campground…provides 20 tent platforms, toilets, drinking water, and bear-proof food storage,” a news release from the parks department states. “There is no vehicle access or parking; walk-in use only. The facility provides primitive camping with no electricity. There’s no cost to camp, but campers must register with campground staff.”
More information is available by calling the parks department at (907 586-5226.
