Eagles Nest Campground
Tongass National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Craig, AK, AK
Price: From $8 per night
Price range: $8–$16 per night
Rating: 3 out of 5 (1 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.An interpretive trail parallels the lake for approximately 1,800 feet, offering scenic views of the Thorne Mountains and surrounding foothills.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/eagles-nest-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Eagles Nest Campground offers a scenic setting on Balls Lake in a temperate rainforest with a well-maintained interpretive trail featuring boardwalk sections and views of the Thorne Mountains. Campers consistently praise the quiet atmosphere and quality trail conditions.
Wildlife alert: Sitka Black-tailed Deer, Spruce Grouse, Western Screech-Owl, and Ring-necked Duck have been documented in the area.
Insider tips for Eagles Nest Campground: Book early—this is a federal campground with only 12 sites and high demand. Visit in September for fewer crowds; one reviewer reported being alone at the campground that week. The 1,800-foot interpretive trail around the lake is partly boardwalk and partly traditional trail.
Skip Eagles Nest Campground if: You need RV hookups—no hookups available; only suitable for self-contained RVs.. You visit outside May through October—campground operates seasonally.. You require potable water—water is shut off outside peak season..
Best time to visit Eagles Nest Campground: September — Campground is open May through October; late September offers quieter conditions post-Labor Day with maintained facilities..
Nearby campgrounds: Control Lake Cabin (KETCHIKAN/THORNE BAY, AK), Black Bear Lake Cabin (Tongass National Forest, Ak) (CRAIG, AK), Salmon Lake Cabin Thorne Bay (THORNE BAY, AK), Honker Lake Cabin (THORNE BAY, AK).
Cell Phone Coverage at Eagles Nest Campground
Cell signal at Eagles Nest Campground (Craig, AK): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.An interpretive trail parallels the lake for approximately 1,800 feet, offering scenic views of the Thorne Mountains and surrounding foothills.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with only 12 sites and high demand.
Visit in September for fewer crowds; one reviewer reported being alone at the campground that week.
The 1,800-foot interpretive trail around the lake is partly boardwalk and partly traditional trail.
Campground is open May through October; late September offers quieter conditions post-Labor Day with maintained facilities.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Tongass National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Tongass National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Eagles Nest Campground cost per night?+
What season is Eagles Nest Campground open?+
Does Eagles Nest Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Eagles Nest Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Eagles Nest Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Eagles Nest Campground?+
What season is Eagles Nest Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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