Tongass National Forest

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Recreation on North Prince of Wales Island

Campgrounds
Trails
Recreation sites

Campgrounds

Eagle's Nest Campground - Located off State Highway 929, 18 miles west of Thorne Bay and 2 miles east of the Control Lake Junction on the shore of Balls Lake. This campground is one of two only fully developed, maintained Forest Service Campground on the island. A fee of $8.00 per vehicle is required for overnight camping. Day use is free. There are eleven camp units. There is a boardwalk trail which parallels the lake for approximately 1800 feet offering a scenic view of the Thorne Mountains and the surrounding foothills. A canoe launch allows those with their own canoes to explore Balls Lake. The 2.5 mile Balls Lake also ties into the campground, offering views of Control Creek full of sockey salmon, wild flowers, and industrious beavers on Balls Lake.

Horseshoe Hole Campsite - Located 1/4 mile from the well known fishing area on Staney Creek. Two campsites. NO developed water supply. NO fee. Low maintenance site. (Map, 46KB)

Lake No. 3 Campsite - This campground is located on FDR 2030-790 about 5.5 miles south of the junction of State Highway 929 and FDR 2030. It is 20 minutes from the town of Thorne Bay. Facilities present include 2 camp sites with fire rings and picnic tables. Site located on hill above Lake #3 with good views toward the lake. NO developed water supply. NO toilet facilities. NO fee. Low maintenance site. This site is located in a clearcut and utilizes existing logging roads for access and parking.

Staney Bridge Campsite - Located 1/2 mile from fishing on Staney Creek. Two campsites. NO developed water supply. NO fee. Has fire rings, picnic tables and toilet facilities. Low maintenance site. The site is located in a clearcut and utilizes existing logging roads for access and parking. (Map, 46KB)
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Trails

Cavern Lake Cave Trail and Viewing Deck (777) - A short trail approximately 250 feet in length. Access is off road #27. The trail leads to a viewing deck which provides excellent views of the mouth of Cavern Lake Cave and the stream gushing from the cavern. Visitors are cautioned not to enter the cave, as conditions within the cavern are considered very hazardous, with potential for injury or drowning. Enjoy the site from outside the cavern!

El Capitan Cave Access Trail (775) - Trail is approximately 1300 feet in length, and climbs about 300 feet from the parking lot to the cave entrance. Considered to be a "more difficult" hiking opportunity, and features a combination of tread types which include gravel, boardwalk, wooden stairways, and natural tread. A gate has been installed inside the cave about 200 feet from the mouth to protect the cave resource and ensure the safety of visitors. Even the first 200 feet of the cave contains uneven footing and other hazards. Proceed with caution! The Thorne Bay District will also be conducting guided walks into the cave throughout the summer. Please contact the Thorne Bay District for more information on accessing this cave.

Honker Divide Canoe Route - 63 mile canoe route from the Hatchery Creek Bridge on road #30 to the town of Thorne Bay. Route was used by trappers in the early years of the white man on the island. The route can be very strenuous and requires strong cross-country canoeing and woodsmanship skills. When water levels are low, dragging of the canoe through a number of sections is required. It is best to begin the trip during high water or after a day of rain. The portages are brushed and marked but otherwise undeveloped. Food and supplies for at least five days, wool clothing, rain gear and rubber boots are essential items. Additional access is possible by float plane to Hatchery Lake. This route also provides access to the Honker Lake Forest Service Cabin. It follows the very scenic Thorne River. Wolves, geese, trumpeter swans, bear and deer are just a few of the outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities along the way. A more leisurely way to enjoy the river is to put in at either Goose Creek Bridge or Thorne River Bridge and make an easy day trip paddling into Thorne Bay.

Karta River Trail (716) - Moderate 4.8 mile hike from mouth of Karta River at Karta Bay to Salmon Lake Cabin. Access is provided to Karta River, Karta Lake, and Salmon Lake cabins. This area lies within the heart of the Karta Wilderness Area. The Karta River has a tremendous run of coho, pink, chum, and sockeye salmon, as well as native populations of dolly varden, cutthroat trout, and steelhead. This trail is the most heavily used trail on the Thorne Bay Ranger District. (Map, 32KB)

Lake Ellen/Salt Chuck Trail (785) - Trailhead accessed by following road 2030-970 just east of the Goose Creek bridge, approximately 15 miles from Thorne Bay, to a parking area just south of Lake No. 3. Salt Chuck Trail (#786) is 1 mile long and begins in an old clear-cut at the edge of the gravel. For most of the way the trail follows closely the banks of Ellen Creek. It passes the historic site of the old Salt Chuck mine. The Salt Chuck ruins are extensive and include a number of shacks, a collapsed refinery, a home, a barge, and numerous pieces of machinery. The collapsed buildings are in extremely hazardous condition. Please exercise extreme care when looking around and do not climb on them. The trail is rated more difficult due to deep mud, downed logs and overgrown underbrush.

Red Bay Lake Trail - 3/4 mile hike rated easy. Trail extends from trailhead on road #20 to a row boat at the north end of Red Bay Lake. The row boat can then be used to access the Red Bay Lake Cabin. Trail is rated more difficult because of poor trail conditions as the trail follows Red Bay Lake Creek. The trail is muddy, marshy, and slippery. The district is now making plans to relocate the trail to a drier site. Fishing opportunities are abundant. The species most noted in the area include coho, pink, chum, and sockeye salmon, steelhead, cutthroat, and Dolly Varden. (Map, 41KB)

Rio Roberts Trail (791) - Easy 3/4 mile trail from State Highway 929 to fish pass and viewing deck on Rio Roberts Creek. The trail traverses through a muskeg, and is well maintained. A viewing deck allows a close view of the fish pass structure and the falls. This trail is closed until further notice.

Salmon Bay Lake Trail (773) - 1.5 mile hike rated more difficult. Trail extends from the saltwater flats of Salmon Bay to skiff located on Salmon Bay Lake. Skiff can then be used to access the cabin. There are areas of mud and bad footing on the trail. At the north end there is some moderate climbing. Fishing opportunities include cutthroat, Dolly Varden, pink, chum, coho, and sockeye salmon. (Map, 44KB)

Sarkar Canoe Route (749) - 15 mile loop canoe route including five major lakes: Sarkar, Upper Sarkar, Finger, Raven and Long. Accessed by road #2050 approximately 35 miles northwest of Thorne Bay. There is a small parking area which the Forest Service provides for access to the lake and the Sarkar Cabin. A series of boardwalk canoe portages was completed in September, 1992 connecting each of the lakes to form a canoe trail which has been classified as "easy." (Map, 42KB)

Shipley Bay Trail (795) -3/4 mile hike rated more difficult. Trail extends from Shipley Bay Cabin to Shipley Lake where there is a Forest Service skiff for public use. Many species of fish are present in the lake including rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, steelhead, and salmon. Location includes a very scenic valley and leads to views of the Nipples, one of the higher peaks on the outside islands. Trail leads past the cabin along the north shore of Shipley Creek, crosses over a bridge to the south shore, then follows a moderate to fairly steep (for short distances) incline along this shore to the banks of Shipley Bay. (Map ,60KB)
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Recreation Sites

Gravelly Creek Picnic Area - The Gravelly Creek Picnic Area is located 5 miles west of Thorne Bay on road #30. A shelter, picnic tables, and fire rings are provided. The site is located on the bank of the Thorne River and the fishing can be excellent. This site is an accessible site.

Memorial Beach Picnic Area - Located on very North end of Island.  Follow Forest Road 2000 North to where Forest Road 20860 turns off to the right, 2 miles to parking.  Forest Road 2000 is a one lane, winding, dirt road with turn outs.  Potholes can be numerous. Picnic area dedicated to the memory of 12 persons killed in a floatplane crash in 1978. Beautiful views from old growth forest toward Sumner Strait. Picnic tables and fire rings provided.

Sandy Beach Picnic Area - Located a 15 minute drive north of Thorne Bay on Forest Road #30. Picnic tables, a shelter, fire rings, and a beautiful sandy beach are attractions at this site.

Big Lake Fish Pass - Trailhead accessed by following road 2030-970 just east of the Goose Creek bridge, approximately 15 miles from Thorne Bay, to a parking area just south of Lake No. 3.

Rio Roberts Fish Pass - Platform overlooks fish pass on Rio Roberts Creek.

USDA Forest Service - Tongass National Forest
Last Modified: September 22, 2010