The best camping in Tongass National Forest, AK

Name: Tongass National Forest
Address: Tongass National Forest
Rating: 4.3

86% (14)

You could spend a lifetime exploring southeast Alaska's massive Tongass National Forest.

86% (14)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Tongass National Forest adventure.

Top-rated campgrounds in Tongass National Forest

Virginia Lake Cabin

1. Virginia Lake Cabin

100%

(3)

Lodging in Tongass National Forest · 1 site

Make the most of beautiful Virginia Lake by booking yourself a stay at Virginia Lake Cabin, a sizeable, well-constructed forest home with considerations like wheelchair access, wraparound deck, and a connected floating dock

Mendenhall Campground

2. Mendenhall Campground

100%

(2)

Campground in Tongass National Forest · 69 sites · Tents, RVs

Want some lake and glacier action? Camp at the well developed Mendenhall Lake Campground to get views of Mendenhall Glacier and the pristine lake below it while camping in style

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

East Florence Cabin Lookout

3. East Florence Cabin Lookout

100%

(2)

Lodging in Tongass National Forest · 1 site

East Florence Cabin is perfect for your rustic Alaskan adventure

Pinta Cove Shelter Lookout

4. Pinta Cove Shelter Lookout

100%

(2)

Campground in Tongass National Forest · 2 sites · Tents, RVs

Wood stoves, sleeping bunks, tables, oh my

Campfires

Picnic table

John Muir Cabin

5. John Muir Cabin

100%

(2)

Lodging in Tongass National Forest · 1 site

A chalet-style cabin, John Muir Cabin was yet another small, quaint cabin found in the Tongass National Forest, inundated by still silence and hiking trails

Auk Village Campground

6. Auk Village Campground

100%

(1)

Campground in Tongass National Forest · 11 sites · Tents, RVs

Camp at Auk Village Campground to get some wonderful views of the Chilkat Mountain Range and the ocean, with a scenic beach right there for some extra flair

Toilets

Campfires

Potable water

Harris River Campground

7. Harris River Campground

Campground in Tongass National Forest · 14 sites · Tents, RVs

Island camping in Alaska means rugged rivers, temperate rain forest, and an awesome time for all

Toilets

Campfires

Potable water

Horseshoe Hole Campground

8. Horseshoe Hole Campground

Campground in Tongass National Forest · 2 sites · Tents, RVs

When you need to get away from it all, Horseshoe Hole Campground is the perfect place

Campfires

Picnic table

Lake No. 3 Campground

9. Lake No. 3 Campground

Campground in Tongass National Forest · 2 sites · Tents, RVs

Keep it simple and camp at Lake No

Campfires

Picnic table

Staney Bridge Campground

10. Staney Bridge Campground

Campground in Tongass National Forest · 2 sites · Tents, RVs

Grab your tent and your fishing pole and head out into the woods for some peace and quiet to fix you right up

Campfires

Picnic table

Last Chance Campground

11. Last Chance Campground

Campground in Tongass National Forest · 18 sites · Tents, RVs

Don’t leave your summertime camping trips to chance, plan an adventure

Toilets

Campfires

Potable water

Signal Creek Campground

12. Signal Creek Campground

Campground in Tongass National Forest · 24 sites · Tents, RVs

Grab the fam and head into the backcountry to score a campsite year-round at Signal Creek Campground

Toilets

Campfires

Potable water

Ohmer Creek Campground

13. Ohmer Creek Campground

Campground in Tongass National Forest · 10 sites · Tents, RVs

Jonesing for another fishing and camping trip? Why wait? Just head over to the first-come, first-served Ohmer Creek Campground with your tent or RV and settle in for some days of woodsy goodness

Toilets

Campfires

Potable water

Starrigavan Campground

14. Starrigavan Campground

Campground in Tongass National Forest · 31 sites · Tents, RVs

Starrigavan Recreation Area is just begging to be explored

Toilets

Campfires

Potable water

Anita Bay Overlook Campsite

15. Anita Bay Overlook Campsite

Campground in Tongass National Forest · 2 sites · Tents, RVs

Road or no road

Toilets

Campfires

Picnic table

Lower Salamander Creek Campground

16. Lower Salamander Creek Campground

Campground in Tongass National Forest · 3 sites · Tents, RVs

Swim on a sandy beach in the summer, dip your toes into the rushing water, and cast a line downstream to reel in some steelhead, trout, dolly varden, or salmon

Toilets

Campfires

Picnic table

Yunshookuh Loop Campground

17. Yunshookuh Loop Campground

Campground in Tongass National Forest · 2 sites · Tents, RVs

Get your views, your outdoor vibes, and in the winter, your sledding on

Toilets

Campfires

Picnic table

Yakutat Beach Campground

18. Yakutat Beach Campground

Campground in Tongass National Forest · 3 sites · Tents, RVs

Calling all surfers, beachcombers, and camping addicts

Toilets

Campfires

Picnic table

Admiralty Cove Cabin

19. Admiralty Cove Cabin

Lodging in Tongass National Forest · 1 site

Admiralty Cove Cabin is a rustic and remote cabin on the northern tip of Admiralty Island

Big Shaheen Cabin

20. Big Shaheen Cabin

Lodging in Tongass National Forest · 1 site

Big Shaheen Cabin is an ideal camping spot for canoeists and anglers

Top-rated campsites near Tongass National Forest

The Dacha

1. The Dacha

100%

(4)

43mi from Tongass National Forest · 1 site

Remote 350 square foot cabin with Jotul woodstove and loft, with a review of Warm Springs Bay. The cabin is a quarter mile from the forest warm springs, and 100 yards down the boardwalk from the baths. Fully equipped with bathroom and cold water, a kayak, fishing rods, a generator and solar. There is a covered deck we use as a kitchen. Please be advised: access only by hiking, floatplane, or boat. Propane lights give heat and illumination. Great fishing for salmon in bay and cutthroat in lake. This is about as remote as it gets! There are no stores, no gas, and brown bears are a concern. Welcome to the most beautiful place on earth.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

The Trees RV & General Store

2. The Trees RV & General Store

39mi from Tongass National Forest

Welcome to The Trees General Store, a unique destination that combines the charm of a rustic retreat with modern conveniences, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Alaska's Tongass National Forest. Our store and laundry facilities are open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM, ensuring you have everything you need during your stay. Located just a quarter-mile from the renowned fishing opportunities at Papke's Landing, we offer a variety of accommodations, including full and partial RV sites, as well as cozy cabin rentals. At The Trees, we pride ourselves on providing essential amenities such as clean restrooms, hot showers, and a well-stocked general and liquor store. Whether you're looking to cast a line for King, Steelhead, or Coho salmon, or simply want to explore the stunning natural beauty of the area, our location is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy easy access to Papke's boat launch for daily fishing excursions and island tours. Come experience a memorable getaway where comfort meets adventure in the heart of Alaska's wilderness.

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Emma

September 2025

With pets

2 nights at The Dacha

Baranof warm springs is a treat. It’s a special little boardwalk escape. The falls are loud and powerful. The natural springs are stunning and all the visitors we interacted with were lovely. We want to come back again. The cabin was the perfect little spot to relax, read a book, have coffee and enjoy.

Richard

August 2025

With pets

2 nights at The Dacha

Tough to give the description as needed without pictures and the feel of a fresh warm breeze coupled with the constant sound of one of the most impressive water falls in SE AK.. The cabin is small but efficient. Easily accessible from the float dock. The hot springs surpassed our expectations and were the best we have experienced in SE and we have enjoyed most all of them!

Amy

August 2025

2 nights at The Dacha

Brendan’s place is absolutely wonderful. I loved being able to walk to the springs then come back to the cabin and start a cozy fire on the wood stove. I felt very much at peace and at home here. He has a great little selection of books in the cabin, and a nice spot on the deck that overlooks the harbor. I didn’t want to leave and hope to be back again. Thank you Brendan!

Amy

July 2025

3 nights at The Dacha

I absolutely loved it here! Thank you Brendan for listing your cabin on hipcamp. The Dasha cabin is in a perfect location for a visit to the springs - you can easily walk to the tubs or springs from the connected boardwalk. I really enjoyed soaking in the tub then coming “home” to a warm fire. The cabin smelled like cedar, something that brings a smile to my face. The outdoor deck was perfect for watching the sunset, or coffee in the morning. I enjoyed reading his books, especially the Alaska Bird book, apparently I’m a plover sandpiper that “runs short distances then stops” at least that’s the page I opened up to. Really peaceful gem of a cabin. I highly recommend!

Tongass National Forest camping guide

Overview

About

At more than 16 million acres, the Tongass National Forest encompasses a huge swath of southeast Alaska. It’s actually the largest national forest in the United States and is a giant playground for outdoor enthusiasts. If you want to experience small towns, wild coastlines, jagged peaks, numerous glaciers, and exceptional wildlife viewing while camping, the Tongass has it all. Towns like Ketchikan, Sitka, Wrangell, and Petersburg all serve as hubs for the forest, while the area’s remote islands like Prince of Wales also have access-point towns. Exploring by land and watercraft are both popular, as the Tongass’ marine environments, salmon runs, and land-based ecosystems are all interconnected.

Where to go

Explore the Glaciers

Thousands of glaciers exist in the Tongass but a few are noted for being especially large and accessible, including the Mendenhall Glacier, which has a visitor center and tours where you can walk on the ice. Speaking of ice, the Tongass is home to several ice fields that are leftover remnants of the last ice age. Other glaciers worth visiting are the LeConte Glacier, which requires a boat trip from Wrangell, and the Baird, convenient to Petersburg. The impressive Hubbard Glacier is also near Yakutat.

Prince of Wales Island

This remote island is unique because it offers a road system—meaning you can access the area by plane or by ferry from Ketchikan, then rent a vehicle or catch a ride to your destination. Craig is a main hub, but several other small towns serve the area as well. Reservable US Forest Service cabins are popular among campers visiting for the island’s excellent river and lake fishing. Prince of Wales Island also houses numerous black bears and populations of Sitka deer.

Misty Fjords National Monument

Accessed via Ketchikan, the Misty Fjords make up a unique area where steep rock walls and mountains rise from the sea. Lush rainforests add to the dramatic landscape with green foliage covering the mountainsides. There are numerous ways to experience the area and take in its beauty, including boating, hiking, paddling, and flightseeing tours, which offer an incredible aerial perspective.

US Forest Service Cabins

You can’t see the entire Tongass in a single trip, so consider narrowing it down to an area with a comfortable basecamp. The Tongass hosts 150 US Forest Service-managed cabins available for reservation, all of which are remote but keep visitors dry and comfortable between rainforest excursions. Numerous campgrounds and Hipcamps are also available throughout the region, typically visited by those arriving by car or boat rather than RV, as the remote area is not interconnected with a road system.

When to go

The Tongass National Forest is a year-round destination, so timing depends on individual desires. Summer is the peak season for camping, and many visitors come for the salmon and halibut fishing or hiking. Summer is ideal for clear days to see glaciers and peaks. Meanwhile, winter is the slower tourist season, but it does attract skiers with the skills to explore remote mountain peaks or try heli-skiing. Snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and even paddling opportunities are also available in the winter months.