Last Chance Campground
Last Chance Campground is located in the Ward Lake Recreation Area, 9 miles north of downtown Ketchikan and about 4 miles north of the State ferry terminal. This campground straddles Last Chance Creek and lies next to Ward Creek 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 | 17 |
| RV, no hookups | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
18 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 10 / 1 | |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 10 / 2 | Yes |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 10 / 1 | |
| 004 | RV | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 10 / 1 | Yes |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 10 / 2 | Yes |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 10 / 1 | Yes |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | No / No | 10 / 2 | Yes |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | No / No | 10 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | No / No | 10 / 1 | Yes |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 10 / 1 | Yes |
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 |
| Fees | $10/Night for single unit |
| Accessibility | Sites 002, 004, 005, 006 and 12 more are listed accessible |
Last Chance Campground is designated to be fully accessible. 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. Firewood and other assistance may be obtained from the campground host located 2 miles away at Signal Creek Campground.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | May |
| Forest | Tongass National Forest |
| Booking | Call (toll free) 1-877-444-6777 or use the internet at www.recreation.gov |
| Fees | $10/Night for single unit |
Weather by month
Getting there
From the Alaska State Ferry Terminal, take Tongass Highway north 4.8 miles. At milepost 7, turn right on Revilla Road and drive for 3 miles. The campground is on the right.
| Coordinates | 55.4323° N, 131.6860° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Firewood may be provided but is not guaranteed.
Explore
Video
Video of Last Chance Campground, ID from Simran D.
Worth a stop
- 6.5 miKetchikan Alaska Public Lands Information Center ↗Visitor center
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miWard Creek - Last Chance Spur0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miWard Creek1.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miWard Creek - Fish Deck0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miSalvage Trail1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miConnell Lake2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miWard Creek - Spur Vd#2under 0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.1 miWard Creek - Last Chance Trailhead ↗Tongass National Forest
- 0.1 miWard Creek Trailhead ↗Tongass National Forest
- 0.7 miSalvage Trailhead ↗Tongass National Forest
- 0.8 miPipeline 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 · 3.5 mi
- Clover Pass SchoolBuilding · Knudson Cove · 5 mi
- Ketchikan Ranger HouseBuilding · Ketchikan · 6 mi
Natural features
Last Chance is surrounded by an old-growth temperate rainforest comprised primarily of western hemlock and Sitka spruce. Last Chance Creek flows through the campground, and Ward Creek runs alongside. 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 Trail meanders 1.3 miles around the lake. A large day-use complex with picnic sites and shelters is also available. Freshwater fishing, 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 Last Chance Campground?
Sites at Last Chance Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Call (toll free) 1-877-444-6777 or use the internet at www.recreation.gov Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Last Chance Campground?
$10/Night for single unit
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Last Chance Campground?
Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Last Chance Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Last Chance Campground have?
18 sites, including 17 standard sites without power and 1 RV site without hookups.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Last Chance 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
Are pets allowed at Last Chance Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Last Chance Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Last Chance Campground?
Sites 002, 004, 005, and 006 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 16 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Last Chance Campground?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Last Chance 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 Last Chance Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Three C's Group Use Campground (1.5 mi), Signal Creek Campground (1.8 mi), and Icehouse Cove Buoy Camping Area (12.6 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby