Signal Creek Campground
Signal Creek Campground is a year-round facility located in the Ward Lake Recreation Area, 7 miles north of downtown Ketchikan and about 4 miles north of the State ferry terminal. The campground straddles Signal Creek and lies on the banks of Ward Lake, with easy access to fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing.
More like this: reservable in Alaska · big rigs in Alaska · pets allowed in Alaska
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 23 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
23 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 10 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 003 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 10 / 1 | |||
| 004 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 1 | ||||
| 005 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | 10 / 2 | ||||
| 006 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | Yes / No | Lakefront | 10 / 1 | Yes | |
| 007 | Back-in | 28 | Gravel | Full | No / No | 10 / 1 | |||
| 008 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 10 / 1 | |||
| 009 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | No / Yes | 10 / 1 | |||
| 010 | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | No / No | 10 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 011 | Back-in | 34 | Gravel | No / No | 10 / 1 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 45 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Site 010 is listed accessible |
Signal Creek Campground's sites can accommodate up to 10 people. Each campsite contains a picnic table, a campfire ring with grill and a gravel parking spur. Two hand pumps for drinking water and three vault toilets are provided. Water is provided during the peak season only.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | May |
| Forest | Tongass National Forest |
| Booking | This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line at Recreation.gov |
| Fees | $10/Night for single unit |
Weather by month
Getting there
From the State ferry terminal, take Tongass Highway north 4.8 miles to milepost 7. Turn right onto Revila Road. Go 1.4 miles and turn right at the Ward Lake Road Intersection. Travel 1.1 miles past Ward Lake Day Use Area to the entrance sign for Signal Creek Campground.
| Coordinates | 55.4082° N, 131.6998° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Firewood may be provided but is not guaranteed.
Explore
Video
Signal Creek Campground, AK from Larae S.
Worth a stop
- 5.2 miKetchikan Alaska Public Lands Information Center ↗Visitor center
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miFrog Pond Trail0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miPerseverance Trail2.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miWard Lake - Spur 2under 0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miWard Lake - Grassy Point Spur0.05 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miWard Lake Nature Trail1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miWard Creek1.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- under 0.1 miFrog Pond Trailhead ↗Tongass National Forest
- 0.3 miPerseverance Trailhead ↗Tongass National Forest
- 0.5 miWard Lake Nature Trailhead ↗Tongass National Forest
- 0.6 miWard Creek - Amana Gulch Trailhead ↗Tongass National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Totem Bight State Historic SiteBuilding · Ketchikan · 3 mi
- Ketchikan Ranger HouseBuilding · Ketchikan · 4.5 mi
- First Lutheran ChurchBuilding · Ketchikan · 4.7 mi
Natural features
The campground is surrounded by an old-growth temperate rainforest comprised primarily of western hemlock and Sitka spruce. Signal Creek flows through the campground, and Ward Lake is adjacent. At nearly 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest covers most of 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 coastline islands. The Tongass offers visitors a chance to view wildlife, including eagles, bears and spawning salmon. Expansive vistas, including fjords, glaciers and mountain peaks abound.
Recreation
Hiking is a popular option, as the Ward Lake Recreation Area boasts seven trails. The Ward Lake Nature Travel meanders 1.3 miles around the lake. A large day-use complex with picnic sites and shelters is also available. Freshwater fishing, canoeing, kayaking, wildlife viewing and scenery are favorite draws at Ward 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 Signal Creek Campground?
Sites at Signal Creek Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line at Recreation.gov Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Signal Creek Campground?
$10/Night for single unit
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Signal Creek Campground?
Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Signal Creek Campground have?
24 sites, including 23 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Signal Creek Campground?
The longest site here provides 45 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
Does Signal Creek Campground have hookups?
Yes, water and sewer hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Signal Creek Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Signal Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Signal Creek Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Signal Creek Campground?
Site 010 is 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
What is there to do at Signal Creek Campground?
Hiking is a popular option, as the Ward Lake Recreation Area boasts seven trails. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Signal Creek Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Three C's Group Use Campground (0.3 mi), Last Chance Campground (1.8 mi), and Icehouse Cove Buoy Camping Area (11.8 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby