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Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use
FSU.S. Forest Service — SITKA · Alaska · Tongass National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Tongass National Forest |
| Location | SITKA · Alaska · Tongass National Forest |
| Sites | 2 public sites counted from the federal listing — 1 group tent only area nonelectric; 1 group shelter nonelectric |
| 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 2 sites Water hookups at 0 of 2 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 2 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 2 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 | Longest reported site fits 16 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 0 sites · 30 ft: 0 sites · 35 ft: 0 sites · 40 ft: 0 sites |
| 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 | Payment only necessary for advance (future) reservations. Payments should be made through recreation.gov |
| Check-in / out | In 12:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 2 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 2 marked accessible in the listing |
| Amenities, as reported | River access |
| Phone | 907-747-6671 |
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 2026-05-17.
From the official listing
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.
Directions, from the listing
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.
Trip Card — Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use
SITKA · Alaska · Tongass National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | SITKA · Alaska · Tongass National Forest |
| Fees | Payment only necessary for advance (future) reservations. Payments should be made through recreation.gov |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 16 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 2 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10323783 · 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.