USDA Forest Service · Alaska
El Capitan Campground
USDA Forest Service · Alaska, United States
- Sites
- 3
- Hookups
- 3 electric
- Season
- Year-round
- Cost
- $15 per night
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 75 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- CAPE POLE (NFSR 1500000) · crushed aggregate or gravel · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Tongass National Forest
- Nearest town
- Thorne Bay
- Address
- P.O. Box 19001, Thorne Bay , AK, 99919
- Phone
- 907-828-3304
- Activities
- Beachcombing, Berry Picking, Camping, Caving, Hunting, Picnicking, Water Access, Wildlife Viewing
About
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40° | 35° | -3° | 49° | 8 of 11 |
| February | 39° | 33° | 13° | 50° | 10 of 11 |
| March | 41° | 33° | 21° | 61° | 6 of 11 |
| April | 46° | 36° | 28° | 58° | 4 of 11 |
| May | 54° | 43° | 39° | 80° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 57° | 47° | 42° | 75° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 59° | 52° | 46° | 72° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 61° | 53° | 46° | 80° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 58° | 49° | 39° | 70° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 49° | 43° | 32° | 64° | 1 of 10 |
| November | 42° | 36° | 23° | 51° | 4 of 10 |
| December | 39° | 33° | 10° | 51° | 7 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- El Capitan Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 1 sites
- Red Bay Lake Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 1 sites
- Shipley Bay Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi · 1 sites
- Salmon Bay Lake Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi · 1 sites
- Sarkar Lake Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 15 mi · 1 sites
All public campgrounds in Alaska · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.