Forest Information
The Tongass National Forest is comprised of 16,691,642 acres and
is located in southeast Alaska. There are eleven developed
campgrounds of which eight meet the selection criteria.
There is no two ways around it, the Tongass National Forest (NF)
is a challenge to reach but worth the effort. One challenge
comes from its size. The Tongass is about 435 miles from top to
bottom, and contains over 2,000 islands with 14,000 miles of
coastlines, making it the largest national forest in the United
States. Another challenge is the weather. The Tongass is a
temperate rainforest so rain, more than 100 inches per year in
many locations, is a common occurrence. Rubber boots, also know
as Southeast sneakers, is common footwear. The Tongass NF has
glaciers, mountains, estuaries, lakes, caves, and an assortment
of campgrounds that any camper will delight in. What it doesn't
have are crowded campgrounds and asphalt roads linking everything
together.
Floatplanes, boats, and kayaks are used to access the Tongass
NF's many smaller islands while ferry boats provide the means to
reach the larger islands. These ferries carry everything from
pedestrians to huge semi-trucks . Although pedestrians and small
vehicles such as bicyclists, motorcyclists, family sedans, and
pick-up trucks rarely have a problem getting on these ferries,
larger vehicles, like recreation vehicles (RV), should make
reservations to ensure they have a place on the ferry. Although
the ferries provide regular service, weather, tide, and other
factors can interrupt service. Calling ahead to confirm the
ferry's schedule is recommended.
Perhaps the best known glacier in the Tongass, Mendenhall
Glacier, is a short drive from the state's capitol of Juneau and
has been a "tourist attraction" for more than a hundred years.
It attracts visitors from around the world. On the north side
of Mendenhall Lake and below the Mendenhall Glacier is the
Tongass NF's most developed campground, Mendenhall campground.
This campground offers campers three levels of a camping
experience while enjoying the forest. There is a cluster of
campsites just for backpackers, a separate area for RV campers
looking for hook-ups, and a third area for campers who don't want
hook-ups and might be camping in a tent or RV. In the middle of
this area are flush toilets and hot showers. Numerous trails
near Mendenhall campground also provide campers with an
opportunity to explore the area around and near the glacier. On
Lynn Canal is another Tongass NF campground called Auke Village.
A nice campground tucked in stand of mature trees and overlooking
the water, Auke Village is a more "traditional" forest service
campground.
Southwest of Juneau, facing the Gulf of Alaska, and retaining
some of its Russian character, is the community of Sitka on
Baranof Island. North of Sitka, and just above the ferry
terminal, is the delightful Starrigavan Recreational Area. It
also offers campers three camping experiences. There is a larger
loop near an estuary, appropriately named Estuary Loop, with
spacious campsites ideal for RV campers. On Starrigavan Bay
there are three campsites where sea kayakers can paddle to and
camp overnight, and between these areas, is a loop where
backpackers can camp.
A forth level of camping has just been added to Starrigavan, a
log cabin available to rent in the Estuary Loop. Starrigavn
campground's cabin is unique in that it is the only one in the
Tongass National Forest's other 150 cabins that is located within
a campground. The other cabins offer a more wilderness
experience and can be reached only via boat, float plane, or
foot. The Tongass cabins are cozy shelters with wooden bunks
sleeping 2 to 15 people and an outhouse. They must be reserved
ahead of stay. Cabin descriptions and maps are available at
www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/cabins/cabins.shtml.
The Southeast Alaska Discover Center in Ketchikan (on Revillagigedo
Island) has a wealth of information, exhibits, and knowledgeable staff
members. North of Ketchikan are Signal Creek and Last Chance campgrounds. Both
campgrounds are in the Ward Lake Recreation Area but only Signal
Creek campground is on the lakeshore. It might be because of
this that Signal Creek campground lacks the more relaxing feel of
Last Chance campground. Located further up the valley, Last
Chance campground, however, lacks the muskeg and thicker
vegetation found at Signal Creek campground.
The Ketchikan-Misty Fiord Ranger District is responsible for a
wonderful piece of Alaska that does not have campgrounds meeting
the selection criteria but offers two very special experiences. Hyder,
Alaska is at the head of Portland Fjord and can be reached either by
mail plane from Ketchikan or automobile from Canada. Both methods
are amazing. The mail plane crosses the Misty Fiord National Monument
while the drive along Provincial Rt. 37A has to be one of the most scenic
in British Columbia. So what makes Hyder special? Specifically, the
Fish Creek Bear View Platform (fee required) and Salmon Glacier, a
T-shaped river of ice, all make it special. And then there is Hyder
itself and its quirky residents having both human and wildlife, namely
bears.
Taking the ferry west from Ketchikan, up the Inside Passage
(Clarence Strait), is Prince of Wales Island with its caves,
muskeg, and population of 500-pound (plus) black bears. There
are two campgrounds on this Island. Harris River campground on
the southern end of the island, near Craig, and Eagles Nest
campground, close to Thorne Bay and the island's middle section.
Harris River campground is a good place to camp for people going
to or getting off the ferry. It is one of those undiscovered
gems every national forest should have. Eagles Nest campground
on Balls Lake is much better known to anglers, wildlife and bird
watchers, and folks who enjoy a leisurely paddle or a quiet
stroll.
Wrangell Island has two campgrounds but they didn't meet our
criteria so are not included in this survey. However, it should
be said Wrangell Island is reported to have some of the best
hiking in the Tongass and the campground at Nemo Recreation Area
has a fabulous view of Zimovia Strait (part of the Inside
Passage).
The influence of its Norwegian settlers is easy to see in
Petersburg on Mitkof Island. Ohmer Creek campground is a perfect
location as a base camp for exploring the many interesting sights
on this island. A drive along the south end of the island is a
scenic day trip while Manmade Hole Picnic Area has many features
to attract visitors. Hiking Blind River Rapids and Three Lakes
Loop trails are recommended "must-do" activities while at Ohmer
Creek campground.
It is said a trip to Alaska is a once-in-a-lifetime-experience
and camping in the Tongass National Forest adds to the wonder of
that experience. Camping on islands covered with lush green
forests of towering Sitka spruce that line the azure blue water
flowing from the Clarence Strait up through Lynn Canal making up
the Inside Passage where the wildlife is still wild, are part of
the Tongass National Forest experience. It is an experience you
will remember for years to come.
ADDRESSES
SUPERVISOR ADDRESS
648 Mission St.
Federal Bldg.
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901-6591
907-225-3101
RANGER DISTRICT ADDRESSES
Craig
900 Main Street
PO Box 500
Craig, Alaska 99921-9998
907-826-3271
Hoonah
430 Airport Way
PO Box 135
Hoonah, Alaska 99829-0135
907-945-3631
Juneau
8510 Mendenhall Loop Road
Juneau, Alaska 99801
907-586-8800
Ketchikan-Misty Fiords
3031 Tongass Avenue
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901-5743
907-225-2148
Petersburg
12 North Nordic Drive
PO Box 1328
Petersburg, Alaska 99833-1328
907-772-3871
Sitka
204 Siginaka Way
Sitka, Alaska 99835
907-747-6671
Thorne Bay
1312 Federal Way
PO Box 19001
Thorne Bay, Alaska 99919-0001
907-828-3304
Wrangell
525 Bennett Street
PO Box 51
Wrangell, Alaska 99929-0051
907-874-2323
Yakutat
712 Ocean Cape Road
PO Box 327
Yakutat, Alaska 99689-0327
907-784-3359
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