Best Tent Camping near Hoonah, AK
The temperate rainforests surrounding Hoonah, Alaska offer several primitive tent camping options, with Bartlett Cove Campground in Glacier Bay National Park serving as the primary established tent campground in the region. This walk-in tent campground features 36 individual sites and 3 group sites situated approximately 1/4 mile from the parking area. Additional tent camping opportunities can be found at Admiralty National Monument, known for its remote wilderness experience, and at Bessie Creek Trailhead, which provides access to creekside hiking trails.
Tent campers at Bartlett Cove must obtain a free permit and attend a mandatory bear safety orientation at the visitor center before setting up camp. The park provides wheelbarrows to transport gear from the parking lot to the walk-in tent sites. Campsites consist of simple cleared areas without picnic tables or fire rings, though composting toilets are available within the campground. Food preparation must occur on the rocky beach in the intertidal zone to minimize bear encounters, and all food must be stored in designated food cache shelters along the campground trail. Summer temperatures typically remain in the 60s, with rain common throughout the season, making quality rain gear essential for backcountry tent camping in this region.
Wildlife viewing opportunities abound for tent campers throughout the Hoonah area. According to reviews, campers at Bartlett Cove regularly observe whales, sea otters, sea lions, bald eagles, and brown bears along the coastline. One visitor noted that "trees were dripping with green mosses and vegetation" at the tent sites, creating an immersive rainforest experience. The primitive tent camping setup contributes to what another camper described as "a backcountry feel without being far from your car." St. James Bay State Marine Park, accessible by boat, offers additional tent camping with protected anchorages and concentrations of wildlife. Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for kayaking, hiking, photography, and wildlife observation in this remote Alaskan wilderness.