Icehouse Cove Buoy Camping Area

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Quick Facts

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

1 campsites

Season

null

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Tongass National Forest site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

1 campsites

Season

null

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Tongass National Forest site

Get Directions

Icehouse Cove Buoy Camping Area

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

No fees are associated with the use of the buoy camping area.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

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Limited Reviews

Based on 0 reviews

2 Google reviews

Most mentioned

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Fees & Passes at Icehouse Cove Buoy Camping Area

Free

Campsite fees

Standard Site

Basic tent/RV spot

Free

Stay Limit: null

Cancellation: null

Prices verified August 10, 2025

Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official Tongass National Forest website.

Best Time to Camp at Icehouse Cove Buoy Camping Area

Experience the best of Alaska's maritime climate, where summer transforms Icehouse Cove into a sun-drenched paradise with temperatures perfect for outdoor adventures. July and August bring blissful days averaging 79°F to 83°F under brilliantly clear skies, while evenings cool to a comfortable 60°F to 65°F—ideal for stargazing from your boat's deck. Winter unveils a different kind of magic, as temperatures dip below freezing and the landscape transforms with occasional dustings of snow, creating a dramatic backdrop of frost-kissed forests meeting dark, mysterious waters.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Snow activities available. Some facilities may close. Check conditions.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: null
Current Alerts: null

About Icehouse Cove Buoy Camping Area

Discover a hidden gem in Alaska's pristine waters at Icehouse Cove Buoy Camping Area, where adventure begins the moment you secure your small or medium watercraft to the solitary white buoy marked with distinctive blue reflective tape. Anchored in crystal-clear depths ranging from 30 to 80 feet and equipped with a sturdy 7/8 inch chain, this unique water-based campsite serves as your gateway to the renowned Black Mountain trail. This isn't just a mooring spot—it's your floating basecamp for exploring one of the Tongass National Forest's most spectacular hiking destinations.

Icehouse Cove is not a traditional campground with sites; it is a watercraft buoy camping area. Facilities cater to watercraft users rather than typical tent or RV campers.

Historical Significancenull

Weather and SeasonsExperience the best of Alaska's maritime climate, where summer transforms Icehouse Cove into a sun-drenched paradise with temperatures perfect for outdoor adventures. July and August bring blissful days averaging 79°F to 83°F under brilliantly clear skies, while evenings cool to a comfortable 60°F to 65°F—ideal for stargazing from your boat's deck. Winter unveils a different kind of magic, as temperatures dip below freezing and the landscape transforms with occasional dustings of snow, creating a dramatic backdrop of frost-kissed forests meeting dark, mysterious waters.

ElevationPositioned at sea level along Alaska's intricate coastline, Icehouse Cove offers the rare opportunity to experience the raw power and beauty of the Pacific Northwest's tidal waters. Here, where the forest meets the sea, you'll witness the daily rhythm of the tides and feel the pulse of the ocean beneath your vessel.

Natural Features and SceneryImmerse yourself in the emerald embrace of the Tongass National Forest, where ancient Sitka spruces and western hemlocks tower above the shoreline like nature's own cathedral. From your floating vantage point, watch as morning mist dances across the water, revealing glimpses of the rugged forest landscape that has remained unchanged for millennia. This temperate rainforest ecosystem creates a living tapestry of moss-draped trees, pristine waters, and wildlife corridors where eagles soar overhead and seals surface nearby to investigate visiting boats.

Geological RegionSet within the world's largest intact temperate rainforest, the Tongass National Forest encompasses a breathtaking mosaic of coastal geography where glacially carved fjords meet ancient forests. This remarkable ecosystem, shaped by ice ages and ocean currents, creates a unique environment where maritime and terrestrial worlds blend seamlessly, offering visitors an authentic Southeast Alaska wilderness experience.

Campsite details

AccessibilityThe site is accessible primarily to small and medium watercraft users.

Sites SizeN/A, as the buoy is not a traditional campground.

Sites PrivacyNot applicable; no physical campsites are provided.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended CampsitesRecommended for small to medium watercraft. Exercise caution due to submerged rocks.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Null

Check-out

Null

Stay Limit

Null

Guests Allowed Per Site

Null

Groups

No group site details are provided.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutSingle buoy located in Icehouse Cove.

Open and Closed Seasonnull

Reservation Platformsnull

Walk-in AvailabilityThe buoy is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Cancellation Policynull

Activities you can enjoy

The site provides access to Black Mountain trail and is suitable for activities involving small and medium watercraft. Specific recreational activities are not mentioned.

Hiking

Provides access to the Black Mountain trail. However, details on its length, difficulty, or features are not provided.

Boating

The buoy is intended for small and medium watercraft use. Extreme caution is advised due to submerged rocks near the cove.

Winter Activities

Not applicable; no winter recreation activities are explicitly mentioned.

Water Sports

Suitable for non-motorized watercraft like kayaking, though not explicitly stated in the source materials.

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed
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Quiet hours are null

Hazards

General hazardsSubmerged rocks pose significant hazards for watercraft entering Icehouse Cove.

Active alertsnull

Weather at Icehouse Cove Buoy Camping Area

°F

Dec 7

Sunday

Slight rain showers

Precipitation: 1.2%

Very strong wind, outdoor activities may be affected

Humidity: 89%

High humidity, may feel muggy

Wind: 15.9 mph

Very strong wind, outdoor activities may be affected

Very Light Rain - (1.20% chance)

Slight drizzle possible

Slight rain showers

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Emergency Services

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Good to know

Peak season datesnull

Trash and recyclingNo trash or recycling facilities are noted in the source materials.

Proximity to water featuresSituated directly in Icehouse Cove, a coastal area within Tongass National Forest.

Common complaintsnull

Hostnull

Campground Map

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Driving directionsIcehouse Cove is located just south of Carroll Point, 8 miles from Ketchikan or 2 miles from the Mountain Point boat ramp. Extreme caution should be exercised upon entering Icehouse Cove due to the presence of submerged rocks.

Extreme caution is required upon entering Icehouse Cove due to submerged rocks. Access is primarily by watercraft.

Nearby places

Ketchikan (8 miles), Mountain Point boat ramp (2 miles)

Nearby supplies

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Reviews from booking and map sources

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0 reviews

Limited Reviews

Icehouse Cove Buoy Camping Area has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews