Last Chance Campground
Tongass National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Ketchikan, AK, AK
Price: From $10 per night
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (14 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Camp Host, Fishing, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/last-chance-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Last Chance Campground offers easy access to fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing in the Ward Lake Recreation Area with seven trails including the 1.3-mile Ward Lake Nature Trail. Reviewers praise it as a great place for outdoor activities and family camping.
Wildlife alert: Sitka Black-tailed Deer, American Mink, Red-throated Loon, Band-tailed Pigeon, Varied Thrush, and Rufous Hummingbird documented in the area.
Insider tips for Last Chance Campground: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 18 sites. The campground straddles Last Chance Creek and lies next to Ward Creek for direct fishing access. Bring your own hookups or ensure RV is self-contained; no hookups available at most sites.
Skip Last Chance Campground if: You need RV hookups — the campground has none.. You're visiting November through April — seasonal closure.. You prefer larger campgrounds — only 18 total sites available..
Best time to visit Last Chance Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only..
Nearby campgrounds: Signal Creek Campground (Ketchikan, AK), Southeast Heckman Cabin (KETCHIKAN, AK), Heckman Lake Cabin (KETCHIKAN, AK), Jordan Lake Cabin (KETCHIKAN, AK).
Cell Phone Coverage at Last Chance Campground
Cell signal at Last Chance Campground (Ketchikan, AK): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
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.
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.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.
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 18 sites.
The campground straddles Last Chance Creek and lies next to Ward Creek for direct fishing access.
Bring your own hookups or ensure RV is self-contained; no hookups available at most sites.
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. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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.
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 Last Chance Campground cost per night?+
What season is Last Chance Campground open?+
Does Last Chance Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Last Chance Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Last Chance Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Last Chance Campground?+
What season is Last Chance Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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