U.S. Forest Service · Tongass National Forest · Alaska

Sawmill Creek Campground And Day Use

The Sawmill Creek Campground is a recently renovated recreational facility with camping, picnicking, hiking, and bird and wildlife viewing opportunities nearby. It is 1.5 miles up Blue Lake Road, accessible by vehicles from May 15 to November 1 or accessible by foot, cross-country skis, or bikes year-round. The campground has 3 single tent sites and 1 group site with a 30-person capacity. There are also picnic tables, fire rings, garbage bins, a covered group picnic shelter, and a vault toilet. Two sites can accommodate small RVs, but hookups are not available. For campsites, there is 14-day overnight stay limit per calendar year that is monitored and enforced year-round.

Partly reservable2 sites16 ft maxPets okFires okTents only

Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

More like this: first-come in Alaska · reservable in Alaska · tent only in Alaska · pets allowed in Alaska · group sites in Alaska

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Sawmill Creek Group CampsiteSawmill Creek Group Campsite Photo 3Sawmill Creek Group CampsiteSawmill Creek Group Campsite Photo 2
Photos courtesy of USFS · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Group tent areas1
group shelter nonelectric1
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served. For the first-come sites, arrive early on a weekday and take what is open. The booking page shows which of the reservable sites are open. The first-come playbook

Site guide

2 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeSurfaceShadeWater / sewerWaterfrontPeople / vehiclesFiresAccessible
Sawmill Creek Group CampsiteSawmill Creek CampgroundGroup tentGravelPartialNo / NoRiverfront20 / 3YesYes
Sawmill Creek Picnic ShelterSawmill Creek Picnic ShelterGroup Shelter NonelectricGravelPartialNo / NoRiverfront20 / 3YesYes

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

Max vehicle length16 ft
EquipmentTents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesPayment only necessary for advance (future) reservations.
AccessibilitySites Sawmill Creek Group Campsite, Sawmill Creek Picnic Shelter are listed accessible

The Sawmill Creek Group Campsite has access to a vault toilet and day-use picnic shelter (only available when not reserved in advance).

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Sawmill Creek Campground And Day Use30°40°50°60°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 32.5°F averageFebruary: 34.3°F averageMarch: 37.3°F averageApril: 43.4°F averageMay: 50.8°F averageJune: 55.3°F averageJuly: 58.0°F averageAugust: 57.5°F averageSeptember: 52.7°F averageOctober: 45.2°F averageNovember: 37.8°F averageDecember: 33.9°F averageTemp °F
The line is the average temperature at Wrangell AP, 15 miles from the recreation area point at 56 feet, station USC00509919 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020.

Getting there

Located on Baranof Island 7 miles southeast of Sitka; from downtown Sitka follow Sawmill Creek Road 5.2 miles to Blue Lake Road; turn left on graveled Blue Lake Road 1.5 miles to Sawmill Creek Campground sign and turn right to enter the campground.

AreaRecreation.gov lists no exact point for this campground. The recreation area is at 56.41° N, 132.75° W. Call the office before you drive.

Good to know

  • There is no campground host on site and firewood is not available for sale.
  • Pallet burning is not allowed.

Explore

Natural features

  • Sawmill Creek
  • Temperate rainforest environment
  • Views of surrounding mountains
  • Access to Beaver Lake Trail

Recreation

  • Fishing opportunities in Sawmill Creek

Nearby

  • Blue Lake

Guidebooks for Alaska

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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Sawmill Creek Campground And Day Use?

For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Sawmill Creek Campground And Day Use?

Payment only necessary for advance (future) reservations.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Sawmill Creek Campground And Day Use?

Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Sawmill Creek Campground And Day Use have?

2 sites, including 1 group tent area and 1 group shelter nonelectric.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Sawmill Creek Campground And Day Use?

The longest site here provides 16 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Are pets allowed at Sawmill Creek Campground And Day Use?

Yes, pets are allowed at Sawmill Creek Campground And Day Use. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Sawmill Creek Campground And Day Use?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there accessible sites at Sawmill Creek Campground And Day Use?

Sites Sawmill Creek Group Campsite and Sawmill Creek Picnic Shelter are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov