Grey's Creek Campground offers family-style fun

JODI SNYDER /For the Frontiersman

WILLOW -- If you are one of the hundreds of Alaskans who spend the height of king season in the Susitna River Drainage, you are probably setting up camp this weekend somewhere between Houston and Talkeetna, with plans to fish until you drop.

While many die-hard anglers camp at Willow or Montana Creek campgrounds, some folks may prefer a somewhat quieter, more family-oriented atmosphere. If so, a stay at Grey's Creek Campground along Mile 81 Parks Highway might be just what you are looking for.

With a focus on friendly service and natural surroundings, Wayne Evenden is transforming his latest investment into a haven for weary families looking for a place to stretch their legs and enjoy a view that includes something other than a riverbank lined with anglers as far as the eye can see. The view of Denali from the Grey's Creek Campground is an attraction in itself.

Evenden has been operating Evenden Excursions, offering charter fishing and hunting trips since 1997, and also owns Wasilla Rod and Reel Repair with friend Chuck Marek. He bought the seldom-visited "Grumpy Grandpa's" campground in April of this year and has been busy clearing brush and making improvements to the property ever since.

Evenden lost a son, Bruce, to cancer in 1997. Bruce was only 27, and the difficult loss prompted Evenden to refocus his priorities.

"In a way, all of this is because of Bruce," Evenden said, "because he made me promise to do something I had been wanting to do, something that would keep the family together, enjoying the outdoors."

Evenden said Bruce shared his passion for all things Alaskan, and his other two children, Brian and Cami, both from Wasilla, also share this love for the outdoors. On Father's Day weekend, both children and their families were at the campground spending the weekend with Evenden.

"Ever since I was this high," Cami said, "I heard him talk about moving to Alaska and being outdoors."

One of the first projects Evenden pursued when he purchased the campground was regaining public access to nearby Grey's Creek. Working with the Alaska State Troopers and the Department of Natural Resources, Evenden re-established the walking trail to Grey's Creek, where landowners had denied public access to the creek to anglers for some years.

Legal access is now available to the creek, Evenden said, through a 20-minute walk down a trail from the campground. He encourages anyone who wants to fish Grey's Creek to use the trail.

"I won't charge anyone to park here and fish," he added. "They can just park on the pullout down by the highway and walk up. They are welcome here."

Grey's Creek Campground also offers a comfortable, fully furnished rental cabin that sleeps six, and comes with satellite TV, a washer and dryer and full kitchen and bath facilities. Right now, there are 16 ready-to-use campsites, six with water and electric hookups, and more being planned.

"This is for my grandchildren," said Evenden about his newest outdoor venture. "Whatever they want to make of it -- they can run it or sell it, but I am doing this for them."

There were plenty of his grandchildren at the campground that weekend, playing on the giant tree swings and riding their bicycles. Other family activities available at the campground include a volleyball court and horseshoes in common areas of the property.

There are also plenty of natural trails for hiking, birding, and some active beaver ponds within walking distance of the campground.

Evenden hopes to build another three or four cabins on the property if the cabin rental turns out to be a popular offering, and said there is room for another 30 sites on the nearly 10 acres of campground land.

This summer, campsites rent for $15 per site, with an extra $7 for sites with power and water. He also offers open camping in a large upper area of the property for $10 a night.

While medical problems keep him from doing all the work he wants to complete on the property alone, he said that with the help of family and friends, he hopes to make the campground a real success. He plans a bathhouse and laundry facility in the next few years.

"As long as I have their support," Evenden said, "I think we'll go a long way."

For information on the campground or cabin rental, contact Evenden at 354-0403. For more information on fishing and hunting excursions, visit www.evendensexcursions.com.