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Recreation around Wrangell

Campgrounds
Trails
Shelters
Recreation sites

Campgrounds

Nemo Campsites - Wrangell Island, 14 miles south of Wrangell off Zimovia Highway and Forest Highway 16 to Forest Road 6267. Entry site with information display at 0.5 mile; Yunshookuh Loop (3 sites) at 0.7 mile; Three Sisters View Point (1 site) at 1.5 mile; Anita Bay Overlook (2 sites) at 2.2 mile, and Highline Campsite (2 sites) at 3.3 mile along Forest Road 6267. Sites provide spectacular views of Zimovia Strait and North Etolin Island. No reservations or fees required. Parking areas, picnic tables, fire grills, and outhouses at each campsite.
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Trails

Aaron Creek Trail (#527) - Mainland, 22 miles SE of Wrangell by boat. A 4.0-mile trail connects Berg Bay to mouth of Berg Creek. First 0.4 mile of trail surfaced with boardwalk. Balance of trail unsurfaced. Access to wildlife viewing and hunting. (Moderate/Difficult)

Anan Creek Trail (#448) - Mainland, 31 miles south of Wrangell by boat. Trail to observatory begins at trailhead at mouth of the lagoon and proceeds 0.5 mile on partially surfaced trail. A 0.5-mile trail leads from the Anan Bay cabin to the lagoon trailhead, totalling 1.0 mile to the observatory. Opportunities for wildlife viewing. June 15 - September 15: Forest Service interpreters on site; by Forest Order, no food, dogs, or camping allowed and foot travel is restricted to trail. Reservations are required July 5 through August 25. Facilities include covered viewing shelter with two-tiered deck and outhouse. (Easy/Moderate)

Berg Creek Trail (#528) - Mainland, 22 miles SE of Wrangell by boat. A 4.0-mile unmaintained trail leads from mouth of Berg Creek into mountains. Trailhead is reached by Aaron Creek Trail. Former mining activity in area. (Most Difficult)

Highbush Lake Trail (#572) - Wrangell Island, 29 miles SE of Wrangell off of Forest Roads 6265 and 50040. A 300-foot surfaced trail leads to Highbush Lake. Facilities include trailhead parking and a skiff with oars at the lake. Access to scenic view of lake, fishing, and boating. (Easy/Moderate)

Hot Springs Trail (#625) - Mainland, 28 miles NW of Wrangell up the Stikine River by boat, at Hot Springs Slough off of Ketili Slough. A 0.3-mile trail off of Hot Springs Slough leads to Chief Shakes Hot Springs facilities. Ease of access depends on river level. (Easy/Moderate)

Institute Creek Trail (#537) - Wrangell Island, trail begins 0.6 mile from the Rainbow Falls trailhead. Institute Creek Trail continues 2.7 miles to its terminus at the Shoemaker Bay Overlook Shelter. (Difficult/Most Difficult)

Kunk Lake Trail (#506) - Etolin Island, 13 miles south of Wrangell by boat. A 1.3-mile trail from Zimovia Strait ends at Kunk Lake shelter next to lake where a skiff and oars are provided. Trail partially surfaced with boardwalk. Access to camping, trout fishing, and picknicking. (Moderate/Difficult)

Long Lake Trail (#574) - Wrangell Island, 28 miles SE of Wrangell off of Forest Road 6265, 6270, and 6271. A 0.6-mile trail begins at Long Lake Recreation Site, directly adjacent to Forest Road 6271. Completely surfaced with boardwalk. Trail ends at Long Lake shelter adjacent to the lake where a skiff and oars are provided. Access to trout fishing, picknicking, and camping. (Moderate)

Mallard Slough Trail (#626) - Mainland, 23 miles NW of Wrangell by boat. A 2.7-mile trail from Mallard Slough Cabin to Leconte Bay. Trail has minimal surfacing first 0.4 mile and none thereafter. Access to wildlife viewing and hunting. (Moderate/Difficult)

Mill Creek Trail (#515) - Mainland, 9 miles east of Wrangell by boat. A 0.9-mile trail connects beach at Eastern Passage (Back Channel) to Virginia Lake outlet. Trail is unimproved old road bed. Access to trout fishing and picknicking. The remnants of an old sawmill are visible from the trail. Portage opportunity to lake. (Moderate)

Nemo Saltwater Access Trail (#424) - Wrangell Island, approximately 19 miles South of Wrangell along Forest Road 6267, or by boat from Zimovia Strait. Parking at roadside trailhead. Trail surfaced with 2 ft wide step-and-run boardwalk. This 0.5-mile trail connects Forest Road 6267 with the Turn Island Beach Campsite. Campsite facilities include tent pads, picnic tables, fire ring, woodshed, and outhouse. (Moderate/Difficult)

North Wrangell Trail (#500) - Wrangell Island, 2.2 miles from the Rainbow Falls trailhead via Rainbow Falls Trail to Institute Creek Trail. The first phase of the trail is scheduled for construction in 1999 (check with district office for status of trial construction). Trail will lead 1.3 miles to the High Country Shelter and continue another 1.0 mile to the Pond Shelter and eventually link with the Spur Road extension to form a loop trail system. Access to scenic views.

Rainbow Falls Trail (#536) - Wrangell Island, 4.5 miles south of Wrangell adjacent to Zimovia Highway. A 0.7-mile partially surfaced trail leads to observation sites and junction with the Institute Creek Trail at 0.6 mile. Access to picknicking, views of a scenic waterfall, and Zimovia Strait. (Moderate/Difficult)

Salamander Ridge Trail (#520) - Wrangell Island, 27 miles south of Wrangell off of Forest Roads 6265 and 50050. First 500 feet of 1.0-mile trail is surfaced with boardwalk; no surfacing there after. Trail leads to subalpine with excellent views. (Moderate/Difficult)

Thoms Lake Trail (#575) - Wrangell Island, 22 miles south of Wrangell off of Forest Roads 6265 and 6290. First 0.6-mile of trail is surfaced with boardwalk. Next 0.8 mile of trail to lake is managed by the State of Alaska and is unsurfaced. Total length of trail is 1.4 miles. (Moderate/Difficult)
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Shelters

Kunk Lake Shelter - Etolin Island, 13 miles south of Wrangell by boat. Access via 1.3-mile Kunk Lake Trail from Zimovia Strait. Three sided shelter on NE side of Kunk Lake - scenic view of lake and mountains. Opportunities for picknicking, camping, and trout fishing. Facilities include picnic table, fire grill, outhouse, skiff, and oars.

Long Lake Shelter - Wrangell Island, 28 miles SE of Wrangell off of Forest Roads 6265, 6270, and 6271. Three sided shelter on north end of Long Lake, reached by 0.6-mile Long Lake Trail. Scenic views of mountains. Opportunities for picknicking, camping, and trout fishing. Facilities include picnic table, fire grill, outhouse, skiff, and oars.

North Wrangell High Country Shelter - Wrangell Island, 3.5 miles from Rainbow Falls trailhead via Rainbow Falls Trail to institute Creek Trail, to North Wrangell Trail. Trail system leads to a three-sided shelter for picnicking and camping. Excellent views of mainland and surrounding islands. Facilities include a picnic table and outhouse.

North Wrangell Pond Shelter - Wrangell Island, 4.5 miles from Rainbow Falls trailhead via Rainbow Falls Trail to Institute Creek Trail, to North Wrangell Trail. Trail begins approximately 2.2 miles from the Rainbow Falls trailhead. Trail will lead to the High Country and Pond Shelters and eventually link with the Spur Road extension to form a loop trail system. Facilities include a picnic table and outhouse.

Shoemaker Bay Overlook Shelter - Wrangell Island, 4.5 miles south of Wrangell. Access via Rainbow Falls and Institute Creek Trails for a total distance of 3.5 miles and 1,500 feet elevation gain. Trails lead to a three-sided shelter for picknicking and camping. Excellent views of Shoemaker Bay, Zimovia Strait, and surrounding islands. Facilities include picnic table, fire grill, and outhouse.
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Recreation Sites

Anan Wildlife Observatory - Mainland, 31 miles south of Wrangell by boat. Access by trail is 0.5 mile from trailhead at the mouth of the lagoon. View black bear, brown bear, seals, bald eagles, and other wildlife during July-August pink salmon run. June 15 - September 15: Forest Service interpreters on site; by Forest Order, no food, dogs, or camping allowed and foot travel is restricted to trail. No reservations currently required. Facilities include covered viewing shelter with two-tiered deck and an outhouse.

Chief Shakes Hot Springs - Mainland, 28 miles northwest of Wrangell up the Stikine River by boat, at Hot Springs Slough off Ketili Slough. High river level required in sloughs for easiest access. A 0.3-mile trail off Hot Springs Slough provides access at lower water levels. Expect crowds on weekends, holidays, and sunny days throughout the summer. No overnight accommodations. Please avoid camping within 100 feet of the tubs and on the access trails. Facilities include an enclosed and an open-air hot tub, dressing rooms, benches, and outhouse for each.

Earl West Cove Recreation Site - Wrangell Island, 28 miles SE of Wrangell at the end of Forest Road 6265. Access via 100-foot trail from parking area to picnic site with scenic view of saltwater and mountains. Boat ramp for saltwater launching at log transfer facility (LTF). CAUTION: Commercial use of LTF may occur during periods of timber harvest. Opportunities for picknicking, camping, and stream and saltwater fishing. Facilities include parking area, picnic table, fire grill, and outhouse.

Long Lake Recreation Site - Wrangell Island, 28 miles SE of Wrangell off Forest Roads 6265, 6270, and 6271 adjacent to Forest Road 6271. The Long Lake Trail begins here and leads to Long Lake shelter. Opportunities for picknicking and camping. Facilities include parking area, picnic table, fire grill, and outhouse.

Lower Salamander Creek Recreation Site - Wrangell Island, 23 miles SE of Wrangell off of Forest Roads 6265, and 50050. Site adjacent to scenic Salamander Creek with good access to fishing. Camping and picnic opportunities - picnic tables and fire grills at three locations on site. Parking area and outhouse provided.

Rainbow Falls Scenic View Sites - Wrangell Island, 4.5 miles south of Wrangell up Rainbow Falls Trail. Trail gives access to two sites. The first site at 0.5 mile provides a beautiful view of Rainbow Falls. The second site at 0.7 mile is above the waterfall and has spectacular views of Chichagof Pass and surrounding islands. Opportunities for views and picnicking. Facilities include viewing platforms and bench seating.

Thoms Creek Crossing Recreation Site - Wrangell Island, 38 miles from Wrangell off Forest Roads 6265, 6270, and 6299. Access via 100-foot trail from parking area to picknicking, camping, and fishing opportunities on scenic Thoms Creek. Parking area, picnic table, fire grill, and outhouse.

Turn Island Beach Campsite - Wrangell Island, 19 miles South of Wrangell off of Forest Roads 6267. Site access from saltwater by boat, or by 0.5-mile trail beginning at 5.2 mile of Forest Road 6267. Camping and picnic opportunities - tent pads, picnic tables, fire ring, woodshed, and outhouse.

Twin Lakes Recreation Site - North Arm of the Stikine River, 18 miles northwest of Wrangell by boat. (Also known as Figure 8 Lakes.) When entrance to lakes becomes restricted at low river levels, a 0.1-mile trail leads from the Twin Lakes Recreation Cabin, at the mouth of Twin Lakes Slough, to the site. Opportunities for swimming and waterplay, as weather and lake level allow. Facilities include an outhouse and two cleared areas with fire rings.

Upper Salamander Creek Recreation Site - Wrangell Island, 17 miles SE of Wrangell, on Forest Road 6265. Access via 700-foot trail from parking area to picknicking, camping, and fishing opportunities on scenic Salamander Creek. Facilities include picnic table, fire grill, and outhouse.
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USDA Forest Service - Tongass National Forest
Last Modified: April 05, 2006