El Capitan Cabin
Tongass National Forest — ocean access, fishing, hiking
Location: Thorne Bay , AK, AK
Price: From $75 per night
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (5 reviews)
Season: May through October
Newly constructed in 2024, El Cap Cabin offers a truly unique experience to visitors and locals alike. This waterfront, ABA compliant cabin, brags a scenic view of beautiful El Capitan Passage. El Cap Cabin is accessible by road and is located northwest of the small town of Whale Pass.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/el-capitan-cabin to be notified when sites open up.
Newly constructed waterfront cabin in 2024 with ABA compliance, offering scenic views of El Capitan Passage in Tongass National Forest. Google reviewers consistently praise the exceptional hospitality, amenities, and unforgettable experience (4.9/5 stars from 24 reviews).
Wildlife alert: Sitka Black-tailed Deer, Steller Sea Lion, Gray Wolf, Northern Sea Otter, Sea Otter, Willow Ptarmigan, Townsend's Warbler, Common Loon, and American Robin documented within 8km.
Insider tips for El Capitan Cabin: Book early—it's a federal campground with limited availability Despite amenities list showing Electric Hookups, verify hookup availability as most sites have no hookups Access by road via Forest Service Road 20 to Road 15; also accessible by boat or plane
Skip El Capitan Cabin if: You need RV hookups—most sites have no hookups. You prefer to visit outside May-October season—it operates seasonally only. You're looking for multiple site options—only 1 tent site available.
Best time to visit El Capitan Cabin: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: El Capitan Campground (Thorne Bay , AK), Red Bay Lake Cabin (THORNE BAY, AK), Shipley Bay Cabin (THORNE BAY, AK), Salmon Bay Lake Cabin (THORNE BAY, AK).
Cell Phone Coverage at El Capitan Cabin
Cell signal at El Capitan Cabin (Thorne Bay , AK): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
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.
Newly constructed in 2024, El Cap Cabin offers a truly unique experience to visitors and locals alike. This waterfront, ABA compliant cabin, brags a scenic view of beautiful El Capitan Passage. El Cap Cabin is accessible by road and is located northwest of the small town of Whale Pass.
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
it's a federal campground with limited availability
Despite amenities list showing Electric Hookups, verify hookup availability as most sites have no hookups
Access by road via Forest Service Road 20 to Road 15; also accessible by boat or plane
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
El Capitan Cave can be reached by vehicle, boat, or plane. By road, follow Forest Service Road 20 to Forest Service Road 15 and take a left for about a mile (1.6 km) to the cave. Watch for signs. From both Thorne Bay and Craig is an estimated 3-hour drive. There is a Forest Service dock for use by boats and planes, but they should not be left unattended. No boats over 24' are allowed. Boats over 24' will need to anchor out and skiff in.
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 El Capitan Cabin cost per night?+
What season is El Capitan Cabin open?+
Does El Capitan Cabin have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at El Capitan Cabin?+
How do I make reservations at El Capitan Cabin?+
What is the cell service like at El Capitan Cabin?+
What season is El Capitan Cabin open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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