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Signal Creek Campground
Overview
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.Recreation
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.
Facilities
Signal Creek Campground's sites can accommodate up to 10 people. Each campsite contains a picnic table, a campfire ring with grill and a gravel parking spur. Two hand pumps for drinking water and three vault toilets are provided. Water is provided during the peak season only. Firewood may be provided but is not guaranteed.
Natural Features
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.
Camp site features
Across 23 camp sites:
- Water hookups: 1 of 23 sites
- Sewer hookups: 1 of 23 sites
- Pets allowed: 21 of 23 sites
- ADA accessible: 1 of 23 sites
- Longest rig: 45 ft
- Largest party: 10 people
Directions
From the State ferry terminal, take Tongass Highway north 4.8 miles to
milepost 7. Turn right onto Revila Road. Go 1.4 miles and turn right at the
Ward Lake Road Intersection. Travel 1.1 miles past Ward Lake Day Use Area to
the entrance sign for Signal Creek Campground.
Stay Limit
Check in from 4 PM, check out by 2 PM.
Reviews
Ratings (35)
5 stars
18
4 stars
10
2 stars
1
1 stars
6
Julie K
Loop:Sign
Site:004
Reviewed a month ago
I visited Signal Creek while bike packing. It rained so hard the first night that part of my campsite flooded, which I didn’t think would happen in June. And yet, the next day the campsite drained and wasn’t muddy. Recommend taking lots of naps because the campground is generally pretty quiet except for the night of the PA system party, but even then the music absorbed into the trees. Easy taxi pickup and hike access. It’s a beautiful campground that so many locals talk about fondly.
melody h
Loop:Sign
Site:019
Reviewed a month ago
It was a great campout. Lots of firewood at campsite, food lockers next to campsite along with the garbage receptacle. Clean campsite , couldn't ask for a better experience !! Nice and quite . Recommendations are for fishing, Grassy Point is great ,along with the creek. Only downfall was a lot of dogs were off leash . There is a leash law at the campsite , but some folks can't seem to obey that leash law. All in all great camping at Signal Creek. There are alot of great , well maintained trails to walk , around the lake and beyond. Will definitely go again soon!!
Heather Rainbow M
Loop:Sign
Site:012
Reviewed 2 months ago
20+ of us rented the large pavilion campground for an event. There was a lot of room for activities, and the double bathroom was well stocked with toilet paper & hand sanitizer. The campsites were spacious, we easily parked our little teardrop camper, and had plenty of room for 3 tents. Will definitely stay here again!
Latonya M
Loop:Sign
Site:020
Reviewed 10 months ago
Very quiet & relaxing spot, can hear stream & fish while have cozy fire.
Klark L
Loop:Sign
Site:003
Reviewed 10 months ago
There was nowhere to put a tent or trailer on site #3. Just a tiny table and fire pit on uneven ground surrounded by bushes.
Don M
Loop:Sign
Site:003
Reviewed a year ago
Showed up for my reservation and someone had recently placed peanut butter on bread and a large pile of cat food in my site. There was no camp host for me to talk to about changing sites and then a black bear came into camp and would not leave. Cool to see the wild life but why pay for this campground when no one is even there to speak to when an issue comes up
Tyler M
Loop:Sign
Site:018
Reviewed a year ago
Great campsites! Worked wonderfully for a large group campout that we did. We selected several campsites next to each other. It was such a great experience!
Barbara W
Loop:Sign
Site:024
Reviewed a year ago
We stayed here on two occasions, split by a couple of days. During the first stay it was clear that had been a recent flooding event that impacted the campground and day use area. Our campsite still had some standing water but was useable. During our second stay the site had dried out but unfortunately the occupant between our stays left the site a mess with garbage and broken glass, and a smoldering fire. We did some cleanup, later in the day a ranger came by, finished the cleanup, and wrote a report on the previous occupant. The water pump nearest our site was chained up during our second stay as well. The trail around the lake is very enjoyable. We liked the proximity to town, yet the quiet the the distance provided.
adam G
Loop:Sign
Site:006
Reviewed a year ago
When I arrived there was someone occupying the spot I reserved. They kindly left after waiting 45 minutes. It was a Friday night and the campsite nearby was filled with loud unspervised teenagers drinking alcohol all night till 6am. And it is outrageous the reservation fee is $8.00.
Jacob A
Loop:Sign
Site:007
Reviewed 2 years ago
A beautiful campground, adjoining lake and nature trail. Absolutely worth the trip to camp in such a beautiful place. Site 7 is right on the lake, but beware, the view comes with an asterisk. If it rains a lot, the tent pad is very prone to flooding. My site became a waterbed after one full day of rain.
Adrianna N
Loop:Sign
Site:024
Reviewed 3 years ago
No TP in the outhouse :( Also, (my fault, cuz so late in the summer) but OMG, the dead fish smell was INSANE!! Biggest let down was the lack of TP, luckily, I brought wipes (and tossed them appropriately).
Dean S
Loop:Sign
Site:004
Reviewed 3 years ago
Wonderful walk around lake Ward and to Frog pond. Great trees and birds.
Donald M
Loop:Sign
Site:003
Reviewed 3 years ago
It is so great you have the hosts there. The campground had devolved into squatters and drug dealing. That is all over now.
Kathy S
Loop:Sign
Site:003
Reviewed 4 years ago
Site was clean. I have a 16 foot trailer and I barely fit into the space. It was nice to be by the lake.
Kirk H
Loop:Sign
Site:003
Reviewed 4 years ago
The view from our campsite - over the lake....was incredible.
Bradley H
Loop:Sign
Site:007
Reviewed 4 years ago
Big trees! Plenty of TP, clean and safe. Great trail around the lake.
Daniel W
Loop:Sign
Site:023
Reviewed 5 years ago
Nice big lots. Make sure to bring your own toilet paper and cleaning supplies for the bathroom
Ashley J
Loop:Sign
Site:007
Reviewed 5 years ago
Camped at Signal Creek for two weeks late August - early September. This is a nice campground...very clean and an attendant lives on site. The outhouses are clean and private, minimalistic with only a toilet, still better than a lot of camp grounds.
Just a few tips...
1) It's Ketchikan...it rains a lot...for days without stopping. Avoid any of the campsites by the lake and in the middle of the campground. We were at #7, but woke up with the lake in our campsite after two days of rain. We moved to #14, which did not flood (just a singular puddle). From what I saw, #8, #12, and #14 did not flood. Avoid #6, as it floods super quick.
2) Ward Lake walking trails go right through the campground. It gets noisey sometimes. Do not stay in front of a water pump, as they fascinate the children, who play with it all day making a loud metal banging noise. So no #7.
3) Bears visit the campsite. Store your food correctly.
4) Bring a tarp to put over your tent, even if it is "waterproof."
Edward T
Loop:Sign
Site:024
Reviewed 5 years ago
Awesome location, over sized lots, privy was well maintained, access to fresh water and trash containers was more than adequate. 5 stars!
wendy h
Loop:Sign
Site:024
Reviewed 5 years ago
Everything was beautiful and peaceful! Only negative was the rain lol
Thomas C
Loop:Sign
Site:002
Reviewed 5 years ago
Great campground. Really enjoyed the trail around the lake.
LeAnn P
Loop:Sign
Site:022
Reviewed 5 years ago
SO happy to be able to go camping again! Signal Creek never disappoints. Kids having a blast, laughter all around you, the scent of good food cooking, the trees and lake and creek...Always a great time!
Kathy S
Loop:Sign
Site:022
Reviewed 6 years ago
This was a beautiful setting with a slow moving creek next to camping site.
Sabrena V
Loop:Sign
Site:022
Reviewed 7 years ago
On this date 7/26/2019, our family had rented site 22, wee had rented 24 several times and it was wonderful- however sit e 22 we did not stay at this site, it was full of mud and there was no way to get around it, obviously it was due to high amounts of rain and we are used to that, however the other sites have rock put down to avoid this- site 22 was a disaster and we tried for several hours to make it work but it was just too much muck, you should really put rock down at this site , it is a beautiful one right next to the water, but we were literally slipping in the mud, could not set up chairs as they sank in the mud. There seemed to be no one ever at the host station during every stay we had this last year and that is disappointing as when we needed to talk to a person, they were no where to be found, plus the phone number gets us to local tour company who apparently is too busy to call us back. Very disappointing for our money, will not rent this site again, but for sure will enjoy another one
David L
Loop:Sign
Site:024
Reviewed 7 years ago
Beautiful spot. Easy to reach from the Ferry, large sites, good biking and hikes along with kayaking in the lake. Overall, wonderful experience.
Popularity
Quiet · 26%
Busiest in July, when about 26% of sites are booked. Based on 9 years of reservations.
