El Capitan Campground

This oceanfront campground offers a scenic view of the beautiful El Capitan Passage. This site has access to fishing, hunting, kayaking, hiking, caving and a marine dock. It provides a scenic setting for recreation and relaxation on the Tongass National Forest. The campground contains three fully accessible campsites and each has parking, tent pad, combination fire pit/grill, and a picnic table. There is a nearby covered pavillion and an accessibile outhouse.

Reservations

Make Reservations Here

General Information

The El Capitan Campground is in an area of high geologic interest including the El Cap Cave. The surrounding forest boasts old growth species such as yellow cedar, red cedar, hemlock, and Sitka spruce. There is abundant wildlife viewing for both aquatic and terrestrial species including Sitka black tail deer, black bear, harbor seals, otters and many fish species. Prince of Wales Island has runs of every salmon species except chinook as well as populations of cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden.

brown building, green roof, treen trees and blue sky background

Address: 1312 Federal Way Thorne Bay, AK 99919-0001
Phone: 907-828-3304
Hours: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 56.162489

Longitude: -133.321005

Directions

El Cap Campground can be reached by vehicle, boat, or plane. By road, follow Forest Service Road 20 to Forest Service Road 15 and take a left for about a mile (1.6 km) to the cave. Watch for signs. From both Thorne Bay and Craig is an estimated 3-hour drive. There is a Forest Service dock for use by boats and planes, but they should not be left unattended. No boats over 24' are allowed. Boats over 24' will need to anchore out and skiff in.