Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use

Show on map 907-747-6671 laurent.deviche@usda.gov

Estimated location

No source publishes exact coordinates for Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use. Its map marker is estimated from the surrounding area and can be miles from the actual site — don't navigate to it. Its official page may have the detail needed to find it on the ground.

Overview

The Sawmill Creek Campground is a recently renovated recreational facility with camping, picnicking, hiking, and bird and wildlife viewing opportunities nearby. It is 1.5 miles up Blue Lake Road, accessible by vehicles from May 15 to November 1 or accessible by foot, cross-country skis, or bikes year-round. The campground has 3 single tent sites and 1 group site with a 30-person capacity. There are also picnic tables, fire rings, garbage bins, a covered group picnic shelter, and a vault toilet. Two sites can accommodate small RVs, but hookups are not available. For campsites, there is 14-day overnight stay limit per calendar year that is monitored and enforced year-round. It is also advised that visitors bring their own potable water or to treat water collected from Sawmill Creek. There is no campground host on site and firewood is not available for sale. Pallet burning is not allowed. Bear safety is crucial as brown bears can be present any time; please use the bear-proof lockers provided on site. The trailhead for Beaver Lake/Herring Cove Trail is accessible from the campground.

This page is for advance (future) reservations for the Sawmill Creek Group Campsite only. Unless an advance reservation is made, this campsite is free and first come, first serve. If the campsite is already reserved, the reservation dates will be posted at the campsite.

Recreation

Access to Beaver Lake Trail within campground: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tongass/recarea/?recid=79060
Fishing opportunities in Sawmill Creek

Facilities

The Sawmill Creek Group Campsite has access to a vault toilet and day-use picnic shelter (only available when not reserved in advance).

Natural Features

Sawmill Creek
Temperate rainforest environment
Views of surrounding mountains
Access to Beaver Lake Trail

Nearby Attractions

Beaver Lake Trail (within campground): https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tongass/recarea/?recid=79060
Access to the Thimbleberry/Heart Lake Trails (on Blue Lake Road): https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tongass/recarea/?recid=79142
Blue Lake

Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (907) 747-4212.

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

Fire pit: all 1 sites
Pets allowed: all 1 sites
ADA accessible: all 1 sites
Group sites: all 1 sites
Longest RV: 16 ft
Largest party: 20 people
Equipment: LARGE TENT OVER 9X12`, SMALL TENT, Tent

Fees

Payment only necessary for advance (future) reservations. Payments should be made through recreation.gov

Directions

Located on Baranof Island 7 miles southeast of Sitka; from downtown Sitka follow Sawmill Creek Road 5.2 miles to Blue Lake Road; turn left on graveled Blue Lake Road 1.5 miles to Sawmill Creek Campground sign and turn right to enter the campground.