picnic table
outhouse with large boulders and trees
floating dock with ramp and view of ocean
gravel trail with view of trees and ocean
combination fire pit and fire grill at campsite with view of ocean

Featured amenities

Waterfront Waterfront

About El Capitan Campground

This waterfront campground offers a scenic view of the beautiful El Capitan Passage. This site has access to fishing, hunting, kayaking, hiking, caving and marine dock. It provides a remote, scenic setting for recreation and relaxation on the Tongass National Forest.

Available sites

3 total sites

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Hunting

Hunting

Year-round
Kayaking

Kayaking

Spring Summer Fall

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Waterfront Waterfront
Water Access

Water Access

  • Boat Ramp / Launch

Views and Setting

  • Waterfront
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see availability.

3 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ 1, Loop: El Cap Campground Tent
⛺ 2, Loop: El Cap Campground Tent
⛺ 3, Loop: El Cap Campground Tent

Reviews

5 reviews

Summary

AI generated

El Capitan Campground features beautiful upgraded campsites with stunning scenery and ample space for various activities. The firepits are nice, though some find them too deep for effective heat. A downside is the sandy campsite material, which can create a mess, and the boat ramp could use improvements.

Based on guest feedback

3.4

Overall rating

Based on 5 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 20.0% (1)
4 stars 0.0% (0)
3 stars 80.0% (4)
2 stars 0.0% (0)
1 star 0.0% (0)

Showing 5 reviews

Caleb T

Verified

July 29, 2025 Stayed at: 2, Loop: El Cap Campground

The upgraded campsites are beautiful. Wonderful scenery all around with plenty of places to explore. Nice big spaces with ample room for camper, tent, 4 wheeler and boat. Firepits are very nice also, they do seem a bit high and with the fire so deep in them its hard to gain any heat off of them or even see the fire.

My only real complaint is material used to cap the actual campsite. It's essentially sand and you might as well be camping on a sandy beach, which sounds great but in practice is a mess all around. Impossible to keep out of the camper and was a constant chore. It's a pretty big blow to the overall experience.

Location is one of the best. Boat ramp really needs some improvement.

Helpful

Caleb T

Verified

July 29, 2025 Stayed at: 2, Loop: El Cap Campground

The upgraded campsites are beautiful. Wonderful scenery all around with plenty of places to explore. Nice big spaces with ample room for camper, tent, 4 wheeler and boat. Firepits are very nice also, they do seem a bit high and with the fire so deep in them its hard to gain any heat off of them or even see the fire.

My only real complaint is material used to cap the actual campsite. It's essentially sand and you might as well be camping on a sandy beach, which sounds great but in practice is a mess all around. Impossible to keep out of the camper and was a constant chore. It's a pretty big blow to the overall experience.

Location is one of the best. Boat ramp really needs some improvement.

Helpful

Caleb T

Verified

July 29, 2025 Stayed at: 2, Loop: El Cap Campground

The upgraded campsites are beautiful. Wonderful scenery all around with plenty of places to explore. Nice big spaces with ample room for camper, tent, 4 wheeler and boat. Firepits are very nice also, they do seem a bit high and with the fire so deep in them its hard to gain any heat off of them or even see the fire.

My only real complaint is material used to cap the actual campsite. It's essentially sand and you might as well be camping on a sandy beach, which sounds great but in practice is a mess all around. Impossible to keep out of the camper and was a constant chore. It's a pretty big blow to the overall experience.

Location is one of the best. Boat ramp really needs some improvement.

Helpful

Gerrie A

Verified

September 5, 2026 Stayed at: 2, Loop: El Cap Campground

When the cabin has guests and the small boat dock is in use during fishing season, there is an overflow of their garbage at the bear proof trash receptacle located near the pavilion which is now attracting bears in the campground. I am a local who has been camping for years near the primitive boat launch near the new campground. This place is currently closed due to logging activity. I can say, that this place was extremely popular with all of us who live on the island to camp with our friends and families. Not ONE time over the years that I camped there, did I ever encounter any of the locals leaving their garbage there. We kept that place pristine and the wildflowers that covered the pad were abundant and beautiful. No bear problems. I was quite disturbed to witness the garbage problem at the new campground which is attracting the bears in. We love our black bears in SE Alaska and know better than to leave garbage out that will eventually lead to a "nuisance bear" that will end up being shot. I hope that the NFS will address the garbage problem at the new campground and cabin before someone or some bear ends up hurt.

Helpful

Location & Directions for El Capitan Campground

1312 Federal Way, Thorne Bay, AK 99919 United States

Elevation: 34 ft

Nearest town

Thorne Bay, AK - 69 mi

About over 1 hr (112 min) to downtown

Policies & Rules

Cancellation policy

  • Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
  • Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
  • Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
    • Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
  • Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
  • Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
  • Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.

Utilities

  • This campground does not have any hookups for RVs or other services.

Safety & rules

  • Road conditions could be affected by ongoing construction.

General

  • Click here for more information on the Tongass National Forest

Fires & fuel

  • To prevent pests, do not bring firewood from outside sources; purchase it locally.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: November 4, 2026

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Explore Thorne Bay, AK

Population: 519

Elevation: 20 ft

Best Season: Summer

Thorne Bay, AK

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