12
Total Campsites
Campground
7
Reservable Sites
Mixed (reservable + first-come)
—
Accessible
ADA-compliant sites
—
Organization
Managing agency
Overview
About EAGLES NEST CAMPGROUND
Overview Eagles Nest Campground is located on Prince of Wales Island in a temperate rainforest surrounded by muskeg and Balls Lake. Visitors enjoy viewing wildlife, hiking, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. This campground is situated on Prince of Wales Island, the third largest island in the U.S., on the shores of Balls Lake, eighteen miles west of Thorne Bay. Recreation An interpretive trail parallels the lake for approximately 1,800 feet, offering scenic views of the Thorne Mountains and surrounding foothills. Canoeing, kayaking and fishing are popular activities at Balls Lake. A canoe ramp is located on the lakeshore. Sockeye salmon, wildflowers and industrious beavers are common sights in and around the lake. The 2.5-mile Balls Lake Trail lets visitors hike around the lake, where swans, kingfisher and ducks are often seen, along with an array of riparian areas. Facilities An interpretive trail parallels the lake for approximately 1,800 feet, offering scenic views of the Thorne Mountains and surrounding foothills. Canoeing, kayaking and fishing are popular activities at Balls Lake. A canoe ramp is located on the lakeshore. Sockeye salmon, wildflowers and industrious beavers are common sights in and around the lake. The 2.5-mile Balls Lake Trail lets visitors hike around the lake, where swans, kingfisher and ducks are often seen, along with an array of riparian areas. Natural Features The campground is situated near Control Creek and Balls Lake, within the Tongass National Forest, which covers nearly 17 million acres in southeast Alaska and is the largest forest in the national forest system. The Tongass surrounds the Inside Passage, the network of waterways that buffers the jagged Alaskan Coast and a cluster of coastal islands. The Tongass offers visitors a chance to view wildlife, including eagles, bears and spawning salmon. Expansive vistas of fjords, glaciers and mountain peaks abound. Much of the forest is a temperate rainforest. Nearby Attractions A number of hiking trails and recreation sites are in the area.
- 12 total campsites listed.
- 7 reservable sites plus first-come options.
- Most common site type: standard nonelectric (10).
- Map coordinates are available for trip planning.
Our Take
What makes EAGLES NEST CAMPGROUND special
Tucked deep within the mossy, old-growth temperate rainforest of Prince of Wales Island, Eagles Nest Campground feels like a place the modern world forgot to find. The air here is thick with the scent of western red cedar and Sitka spruce, and the surrounding muskeg wetlands create an otherworldly landscape of spongy peat, stunted trees, and mirrored pools. Balls Lake sits nearby, offering calm waters for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing for cutthroat trout in near-perfect solitude. This is Southeast Alaska at its most primeval. Black bears, Sitka black-tailed deer, and bald eagles are regular visitors, and the birding is exceptional for anyone willing to sit quietly and watch. The campground is small and rustic, with a handful of sites designed to keep the experience intimate and low-impact. There are no hookups and no cell service, so come prepared to unplug completely. Access is by ferry or floatplane to Prince of Wales Island, then by forest road. The best time to visit is June through September, when daylight stretches long and the rain eases up just enough to make extended stays comfortable. Reservations are not typically required, but checking with the Tongass National Forest ranger station before your trip is always wise. Eagles Nest rewards those who make the journey with a rare and humbling kind of quiet.
Campsite Inventory
12 sites to choose from
STANDARD NONELECTRIC
7
Reservable
0
Accessible
TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC
0
Reservable
0
Accessible
Amenities & Details
Everything you need to know
Site capacity
Double, Single
Check-in time
1:00 PM
Check-out time
12:00 PM
Condition Rating
Basic
Driveway entry
Back-In
Driveway surface
Gravel
Max guests
12, 6
Max vehicle length (ft)
40, 99
Minimum guests
Yes
Reservations & Contact
Plan your stay
Getting There
From Ketchikan, take the Alaska Marine Ferry to Hollis on Prince of Wales Island. From Hollis, take State Highway 924 to Klawock. From Klawock, take State Highway 929 to Control Lake Junction 18 miles and turn right. Continue on State Highway 929 for 2 miles. Campground is on the left.
FAQ
Common questions
Everything you need to know before your trip to EAGLES NEST CAMPGROUND.
How do reservations work for EAGLES NEST CAMPGROUND?
Reservation availability for EAGLES NEST CAMPGROUND can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.
What campsite types are available at EAGLES NEST CAMPGROUND?
EAGLES NEST CAMPGROUND currently lists STANDARD NONELECTRIC (10), TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC (2).
Where is EAGLES NEST CAMPGROUND located?
EAGLES NEST CAMPGROUND is in Alaska. Coordinates: 55.6833, -132.8500.
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