Ketchikan is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Alaska camping has to offer. Find the best campgrounds near Ketchikan, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
Signal Creek Campground is a year-round facility located in the Ward Lake Recreation Area, 7 miles north of downtown Ketchikan and about 4 miles north of the State ferry terminal. The campground straddles Signal Creek and lies on the banks of Ward Lake, with easy access to fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing.
Hiking is a popular option, as the Ward Lake Recreation Area boasts seven trails. The Ward Lake Nature Travel meanders 1.3 miles around the lake. A large day-use complex with picnic sites and shelters is also available. Freshwater fishing, canoeing, kayaking, wildlife viewing and scenery are favorite draws at Ward Lake.
The campground is surrounded by an old-growth temperate rainforest comprised primarily of western hemlock and Sitka spruce. Signal Creek flows through the campground, and Ward Lake is adjacent. At nearly 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest covers most of Southeast Alaska and is the largest forest in the national forest system. The Tongass surrounds the Inside Passage, the network of waterways that buffers the jagged Alaskan Coast and a cluster of coastline islands. The Tongass offers visitors a chance to view wildlife, including eagles, bears and spawning salmon. Expansive vistas, including fjords, glaciers and mountain peaks abound.
$10 / night
The dark sandy, shallow sloping beaches and forest has been a popular recreation area since the 1930's, and historically used by the Tlingits for fishing and hunting. There is a 1/2 mile wood chip trail traversing the southern-most Blank Islands.
The park offers exploring, kayaking, scuba diving, fishing, hiking, and camping. Access is currently by boat or aircraft.
This park encompasses the Blank Islands and a portion of Gravina Island, at the mouth of the Blank Inlet on the East side of Gravina Island (about 4.6 miles directly south of Ketchikan).
This is 16' X 16' A-frame shelter that was reconstructed in 2008-09. The shelter offers great views of the surrounding mountains and alpine as well as opportunities for wildlife viewing. FACILITIES: • 2 double bunks for 4 people • Sleeping loft for 4 people • Oil Stove (#1 Diesel fuel NOT provided) • Table and benches • Cooking Counter Non-reservable; First Come, First Serve Elevation: 2900
This buoy is available on a first come; first serve basis and is intended for use by small and medium watercraft. The buoy is located in 30-80 feet of water and has a 7/8 inch chain. Look for a white buoy with blue reflective tape. This buoy provides access to the Black Mountain trail.
Polk Camp is a three bedroom cabin located in Polk Inlet on Prince of Wales Island in southeastern Alaska. The site offers recreation, relaxation and a unique lodging experience in the Tongass National Forest. Polk Camp once served as a remote administration camp for the Craig Ranger District and is now a recreation cabin with amenities including a kitchen and running water. The cabin is accessible by vehicle, boat or floatplane. Although the site is not as remote as others in the area, visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Anglers will find that Dog Salmon Creek, which flows into the inlet, has an excellent run of coho, chum, sockeye and pink salmon, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. Crabbing, beachcombing and wildlife viewing are popular in the area as well. Dog Salmon Fish Pass is noted as a popular bear viewing site in August. A system of roads for off-road enthusiasts is also in the vicinity. Hunters can take advantage of the long hunting seasons in the surrounding national forest. Bear season occurs during spring and fall, while deer season begins in late summer and lasts through late fall. Polk Inlet also has a rich logging history. Log landings and log transfer facilities can be found on the nearby shoreline, but are not visible from the cabin.
The cabin is nestled in a canopy of young Sitka spruce and western hemlock. There are plenty of places to explore in the Polk Inlet area, including an estuary just south of the cabin, where wildlife is abundant, including sandhill cranes, eagles, wolves, black bears, Sitka black-tailed deer and a variety of migratory birds.
Nearby attractions include: Dog Salmon Wildlife Viewing Area; Polk Inlet Road system; Polk Inlet all-terrain vehicle roads (trails); hunting; fishing; crabbing; wildlife viewing.
$45 - $75 / night
This campground has 4 drive-in camping units available with paved road access. Facilities include fire rings, garbage cans, vault toilets, and hand pump water - no hookups. This site is available for group use and is only available to single users if other campgrounds (Signal Creek, Last Chance) are full.
Last Chance Campground is located in the Ward Lake Recreation Area, 9 miles north of downtown Ketchikan and about 4 miles north of the State ferry terminal. This campground straddles Last Chance Creek and lies next to Ward Creek with easy access to fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing.
Hiking is a popular option, as the Ward Lake Recreation Area boasts seven trails. The Ward Lake Nature Trail meanders 1.3 miles around the lake. A large day-use complex with picnic sites and shelters is also available. Freshwater fishing, wildlife viewing and scenery are favorite draws at Ward Lake.
Last Chance is surrounded by an old-growth temperate rainforest comprised primarily of western hemlock and Sitka spruce. Last Chance Creek flows through the campground, and Ward Creek runs alongside. At nearly 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest covers most of Southeast Alaska and is the largest forest in the national forest system. The Tongass surrounds the Inside Passage, the network of waterways that buffers the jagged Alaskan Coast and a cluster of coastline islands. The Tongass offers visitors a chance to view wildlife, including eagles, bears and spawning salmon. Expansive vistas, including fjords, glaciers and mountain peaks abound.
$10 / night
Twelvemile Cabin is a fully accessible cabin located on Twelvemile Inlet on Prince of Wales Island in southeastern Alaska. The site offers recreation, relaxation and a unique lodging experience in the Tongass National Forest. Construction of this cabin was made possible through mitigation funds from Alaska Power and Telephone and the Federal Energy Regulatiory Commission. The cabin is accessible by vehicle and a short gravel trail. Although the site is not as remote as others in the area, visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Anglers will find that Twelvemile Creek, which flows into the inlet, has an excellent run of coho, chum and pink salmon, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. At Old Frank's natural area, located east of the cabin, visitors can find streams supporting cutthroat and Dolly Varden. Crabbing, beachcombing and wildlife viewing are popular in the area as well. Dog Salmon Fish Pass is located approximately 10 miles from the cabin, and is noted as a popular bear viewing site in August. A system of roads for off-road enthusiasts can be found about 4 miles south of the cabin. Hunters can take advantage of the long hunting seasons in the surrounding national forest. Bear season occurs during spring and fall, while deer season begins in late summer and lasts through late fall. Twelvemile Inlet also has a rich logging history. Remnants of an abandoned camp, log landings and log transfer facilities can be found on the nearby shoreline, but are not visible from the cabin.
The cabin is nestled in a canopy of young Sitka spruce and western hemlock. There are plenty of places to explore in the Twelvemile area, including an estuary just south of the cabin, where wildlife is abundant, including sandhill cranes, eagles, wolves, black bears, Sitka black-tailed deer, and a variety of migratory birds. Across the inlet from the cabin is a view of Twelvemile old growth reserve. This area is managed for old growth characteristics and provides a pristine forest setting.
$45 - $55 / night
The dark sandy, shallow sloping beaches and forest has been a popular recreation area since the 1930's, and historically used by the Tlingits for fishing and hunting. There is a 1/2 mile wood chip trail traversing the southern-most Blank Islands.
The park offers exploring, kayaking, scuba diving, fishing, hiking, and camping. Access is currently by boat or aircraft.
This park encompasses the Blank Islands and a portion of Gravina Island, at the mouth of the Blank Inlet on the East side of Gravina Island (about 4.6 miles directly south of Ketchikan).
This is 16' X 16' A-frame shelter that was reconstructed in 2008-09. The shelter offers great views of the surrounding mountains and alpine as well as opportunities for wildlife viewing. FACILITIES: • 2 double bunks for 4 people • Sleeping loft for 4 people • Oil Stove (#1 Diesel fuel NOT provided) • Table and benches • Cooking Counter Non-reservable; First Come, First Serve Elevation: 2900
Guide
Great wild camping spot close to town. Beautiful views of Nichols Passage. You can often hear the blows of whales as you sleep at night. There is a fire ring and a pit toilet.
Guide
Each space has a picnic table and fire pit. It's pretty close to the ferry terminal (4 miles?). Outhouse. Close to lots of trails, good fishing, and swimming. Ketchikan is adorable, but considerable fishing and tourism traffic. I would suggest going March-early April. The energy in tourism towns starts building but you get there before the tourists do. Also, there’s just something special about the crisp, spring air.
Guide
With small to medium vessel anchorage just 8 miles South of Ketchikan, this is a conveniently located & beautiful getaway. Enjoy hiking Black Mountain Trail from shore.
GuideBeautiful forest & not far from Ward Lake. Conveniently near Ketchikan, 7 miles north of downtown, & just 4 miles north of the State ferry terminal. The campground is on Signal Creek & Ward Lake. Ward Lake used to have amazing fishing before a now defunct dam was placed on the creek. Hopefully it will be removed & the amazing runs of salmon will return!
Guide
Great tidal zone for exploring extreme minus tides.
Traveler
Beautiful semI-remote location. Sleeping for six, beachfront and lots of places to explore. Accessible both by road or via ocean. Outhouse privy, counter space and wood stove. Views are breathtaking! Outdore fire ring and bench is a bonus!
Scout
Stayed there numerous times, usually in fall for hunting. If this were private property it would be worth several million. Ranch style building was converted from a surveyor camp to a rental cabin 2 years ago. Drive right up to it on your own gated road. Call to get code, number below. The view of Polk Inlet is stunning. Fantastic crabbing and fishing at certain times. Easy to bring a boat or ATV's to cruise hundreds of miles of logging roads in the area. Cabin has running hot and cold water (as of last year...check before you go at 907-826-3271 Forest Service). A shower and sinks, but no toilet due to septic regulations. Sleeps as many as you want: 3 bedrooms with one bunk rack each. Wood stove.
ScoutI've stayed here numerous times. Your view is a majestic saltwater inlet with mountains as the backdrop. A gradual, wheelchair-accessible gravel path leads to a roomy, light cabin, done in local cedar. Many windows, large living area and adjoining room with 2 bunks. Young growth hemlock all around. Great crabbing in bay directly in front of cabin. All you need is a Canoe and a crab pot! Drive right to the trailhead, trail is an easy 5 min walk. Twelvemile Arm is a fantastic area for kayaking, and excellent hunting (deer and bear) as well. Wood stove.
RangerOne of our favorite sites in Alaska!
The cabin is big, cozy, and affordable. There are big rocky outcroppings that you can explore, hang hammocks, and watch the waves come in. It's really a magical place, the mossy growth on the ground makes for good tent camping if you have more people than can fit in the cabin. Lots of wildlife too, and you feel SO secluded. Worth every second.
Also, make sure you look UP because the night sky is amazing.
Ranger
I loved Harris River, it probably helped that it was a nice sunny day! There were quite a few downed trees that distracted from the natural beauty, but overall we had a wonderful stay. Amenities are brand new which is a plus, and the river is gorgeous. Come here, catch some fish, and go relax :)
RangerManaged to visit for an overnight on a sunny weekend-a miracle! Beautiful views and great secluded camping areas. Great little hikes with beautiful water features (not quite what I would consider waterfalls). Great views of the ocean too and beach combing if your up for exploring. Old growth trees I couldn't stretch my arms around! Not sure I'd wanna be caught our camping here in the rain but in the sun it was amazing!!!
GuideGreat time
GuideGreat camping, stream fishing, hiking
GuideStayed at the Signal Creek Campground, next to Ward Lake. Gorgeous lake, great trail around the lake to walk (Easy for kids to do with you). Dog friendly. Places around the lake to see wildlife and scenery.
Campground was near the main road, so a bit noisy for Alaska.....but quiet overall.
Traveler
The hike to get up to the Deer Mountain shelter is relatively difficult. It's only around 3 miles hiking, but the hike is continuously uphill. Views are stunning once reaching the top. The shelter is cozy, enough space for 2 people with a tiny sitting area and built in table on the lower level and a small loft for sleeping as well. A few yards away from the shelter, there's a pretty basic outdoor toilet, but it was nice to have that as an option! Not every day that you get to answer nature's call on a mountaintop loo nestled between several small ponds.
The only downfall is that the small stove inside of the shelter was busted when I stayed there (in July), and I'm not sure when it will be fixed up again. The shelter is also first come first serve, so it could be an issue if someone's already claimed it for the day. Though there are plenty of open, flat areas nearby that could easily be camped on as well.
Camping near Ketchikan, Alaska, offers a unique blend of stunning natural beauty and outdoor adventures. With lush forests, serene lakes, and plenty of wildlife, it’s a great spot for families and solo adventurers alike.
Camping near Ketchikan, Alaska, is a fantastic way to connect with nature and enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you're fishing, hiking, or just soaking in the views, there's something for everyone in this beautiful part of the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Ketchikan, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ketchikan, AK is Signal Creek Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 5 reviews.
What parks are near Ketchikan, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 1 parks near Ketchikan, AK that allow camping, notably Tongass National Forest and Haines State Forest.
