Camping

There are no campsites in town, but the Forest Service operates two summer-only campgrounds ($10) in the scenic Ward Lake [1] area—a world away from the craziness of downtown Ketchikan [2] when cruise ships are in port. Get there by heading five miles north from the ferry terminal and turning right up Revilla Road. Ward Cove is a good place to see eagles, so stop for a look before heading to the lake.

The most popular camping area is scenic Signal Creek Campground, along Ward Lake. Another 1.5 miles north is Last Chance Campground. Both campgrounds have running water and can be reserved (518/885-3639 or 877/444-6777, www.recreation.gov [3]).

Settler’s Cove State Recreation Site (16 miles north of the ferry, $10) has campsites beneath the trees. The beach is a popular spot for summer picnics, and a rain forest trail leads to a small waterfall.

Clover Pass Resort (907/247-2234 or 800/410-2234, www.cloverpassresort.com [4], mid-May–Sept.), 15 miles north of Ketchikan, has RV hookups ($31–36) plus a restaurant on the premises. RVers often park for free in the Wal-Mart lot.