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El Capitan Campground
FSU.S. Forest Service — Thorne Bay · Alaska · Tongass National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Tongass National Forest |
| Location | Thorne Bay · Alaska · Tongass National Forest · 56.16249, -133.32101 · Map |
| Sites | 3 public sites counted from the federal listing — 3 standard electric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 3 sites Water hookups at 0 of 3 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 3 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 3 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | $15 per night |
| Phone | 907-828-3304 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-03-11.
From the official listing
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 .
Directions, from the listing
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.
Nearest federal campgrounds
0 mi straight-line · Thorne Bay AlaskaFSU.S. Forest ServiceRed Bay Lake Cabin
5 mi straight-line · THORNE BAY AlaskaFSU.S. Forest ServiceShipley Bay Cabin
8 mi straight-line · THORNE BAY AlaskaFSU.S. Forest ServiceSalmon Bay Lake Cabin
8 mi straight-line · THORNE BAY AlaskaFSU.S. Forest ServiceSarkar Lake Cabin
15 mi straight-line · THORNE BAY Alaska
Trip Card — El Capitan Campground
Thorne Bay · Alaska · Tongass National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Thorne Bay · Alaska · Tongass National Forest |
| Fees | $15 per night |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 3 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10328150 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.