El Capitan Campground

$15.00/night

1312 Federal Way
Thorne Bay, AK 99919

Overview

This waterfront campground offers a scenic view of the beautiful El Capitan Passage. This site has access to fishing, hunting, kayaking, hiking, caving and marine dock. It provides a remote, scenic setting for recreation and relaxation on the Tongass National Forest.

Recreation

The El Capitan Campground is nearby many opportunities Prince of Wales island has to offer. Salmon fishing is popular during the summer months as well as fall deer hunting, beach combing and other marine sports including paddle craft and sea kayaking. The nearby El Capitan Cave offers guided tours during the summer season and is the longest mapped cave in Alaska at over two miles.

Facilities

There is access to an accessible outhouse as well as a nearby covered picnic pavillion and marine dock.

Natural Features

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.

Nearby Attractions

Prince of Wales Island Visitor Guide can be found on the Prince of Wales Chamber of Commerce website.

Camp site features

Fees

$15 per night

Directions

El Capitan 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.

Reviews

3 reviews

5 stars

3 stars

Gerrie A

Loop:El Cap Campground

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

When the cabin has guests and the small boat dock is in use during fishing season, there is an overflow of their garbage at the bear proof trash receptacle located near the pavilion which is now attracting bears in the campground. I am a local who has been camping for years near the primitive boat launch near the new campground. This place is currently closed due to logging activity. I can say, that this place was extremely popular with all of us who live on the island to camp with our friends and families. Not ONE time over the years that I camped there, did I ever encounter any of the locals leaving their garbage there. We kept that place pristine and the wildflowers that covered the pad were abundant and beautiful. No bear problems. I was quite disturbed to witness the garbage problem at the new campground which is attracting the bears in. We love our black bears in SE Alaska and know better than to leave garbage out that will eventually lead to a "nuisance bear" that will end up being shot. I hope that the NFS will address the garbage problem at the new campground and cabin before someone or some bear ends up hurt.

Lindsey L

Loop:El Cap Campground

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Gorgeous cabin!

Caleb T

Loop:El Cap Campground

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

The upgraded campsites are beautiful. Wonderful scenery all around with plenty of places to explore. Nice big spaces with ample room for camper, tent, 4 wheeler and boat. Firepits are very nice also, they do seem a bit high and with the fire so deep in them its hard to gain any heat off of them or even see the fire. My only real complaint is material used to cap the actual campsite. It's essentially sand and you might as well be camping on a sandy beach, which sounds great but in practice is a mess all around. Impossible to keep out of the camper and was a constant chore. It's a pretty big blow to the overall experience. Location is one of the best. Boat ramp really needs some improvement.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve