Turn Island Beach Campsite

0 review

Wrangell Island, Alaska

Quick Facts

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

2 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Tongass National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

2 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Tongass National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Turn Island Beach Campsite

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

No fees are required for camping at Turn Island Beach Campsite.

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

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground

USFS

Provider

UnspecifiedUnspecified

Help improve this page

See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

N/A

Limited Reviews

Based on 0 reviews

Most mentioned

views

"No user reviews are available in the provided materials."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Wrangell Island, Alaska

Turn Island Beach Campsite

Wrangell Island, Alaska

Driving directionsFrom Wrangell, drive 14 miles south on Zimovia Highway. Turn right on Forest Road 6267 (Nemo-Skip Loop Road). Park at the Nemo Saltwater Access Trailhead (MP 5.2). Access to site is via the 0.5-mile trail.

Access is via a 0.5-mile trail at the Nemo Saltwater Access Trailhead. The campground is reachable by foot or boat. The area near the trailhead is accessible by paved roads, but the site itself is not directly reachable by vehicle.

Nearby places

Wrangell: approximately 14 miles south (driving)

Nearby supplies

Closest supplies, including groceries and camping necessities, can likely be sourced from Wrangell, approximately 14 miles north of the trailhead.

Best Time to Camp at Turn Island Beach Campsite

The dramatic Alaskan seasons paint Turn Island Beach in ever-changing hues throughout the year. Winter transforms the campsite into a crystalline wonderland where snow blankets the forest and temperatures plunge, creating a challenging but rewarding experience for the most adventurous souls. As summer arrives, the landscape softens under gentler skies, though Pacific storms can still sweep through with wind and rain that remind visitors of nature's raw power. The most coveted camping windows emerge when high pressure systems deliver those magical weeks of clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and low humidity – perfect for beachcombing at sunset and stargazing through the long twilight hours.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Summer likely best for boating, wildlife viewing, and milder weather on SE Alaska coast.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.5 / 5

Fall offers dramatic coastal moods and wildlife but increased rain and storms may limit access.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Spring may offer wildlife activity and thawing seas but variable weather and access remain factors.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.0 / 5

Open year-round but winter brings snow, cold, and potentially hazardous marine travel.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Unspecified. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Year-round access.
Current Alerts: No active alerts reported.

About Turn Island Beach Campsite

Nestled on the pristine shores of Wrangell Island, Turn Island Beach Campsite offers an authentic Alaskan wilderness experience within the vast Tongass National Forest. This intimate coastal retreat features two thoughtfully positioned tent platforms that invite campers to fall asleep to the rhythm of Pacific waves and wake to eagles soaring overhead. Whether you arrive by boat across the shimmering waters or trek the scenic 0.5-mile trail from Nemo Saltwater Access, you'll discover a secluded sanctuary where the forest meets the sea, complete with basic facilities including a shared outhouse that maintains the site's low-impact philosophy.

The campground provides a minimalistic camping experience with two tent platforms. It is accessible via boat or foot and is suited for small-scale camping trips.

Historical SignificanceYour tent platforms rest within the Tongass National Forest, America's largest national forest and a living testament to conservation spanning 17 million acres of old-growth temperate rainforest. Wrangell Island itself carries thousands of years of stories, from the Tlingit people who first called these waters home to the waves of explorers, traders, and settlers who followed. Every tide that washes these shores connects modern campers to this rich tapestry of indigenous heritage and the enduring relationship between people and this spectacular landscape.

Weather and SeasonsThe dramatic Alaskan seasons paint Turn Island Beach in ever-changing hues throughout the year. Winter transforms the campsite into a crystalline wonderland where snow blankets the forest and temperatures plunge, creating a challenging but rewarding experience for the most adventurous souls. As summer arrives, the landscape softens under gentler skies, though Pacific storms can still sweep through with wind and rain that remind visitors of nature's raw power. The most coveted camping windows emerge when high pressure systems deliver those magical weeks of clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and low humidity – perfect for beachcombing at sunset and stargazing through the long twilight hours.

ElevationPerched at sea level where land gracefully yields to ocean, Turn Island Beach Campsite offers the rare opportunity to camp literally steps from the high tide line. This coastal positioning means you'll experience the full drama of Alaskan tides, from the exposed tidepools at low water to the powerful surge of incoming seas, all while enjoying surprisingly easy access without the lung-burning climbs found at many backcountry sites.

Natural Features and SceneryWake to panoramic views across pristine saltwater channels where the morning mist dances between forested islands like ancient spirits. The campsite serves as your front-row seat to Southeast Alaska's coastal theater, where Sitka spruce and western hemlock frame ever-changing seascapes. This corner of the Tongass reveals its treasures slowly – from the delicate beach strawberries hiding among the rocks to the occasional black bear foraging along the shoreline, while overhead, bald eagles patrol their domain and seabirds dive for silver fish in the nutrient-rich waters.

Geological RegionPositioned on Wrangell Island's west shore, Turn Island Beach Campsite occupies a fascinating geological intersection where the ancient bedrock of Southeast Alaska meets the relentless Pacific. This saltwater setting within the Tongass National Forest showcases the region's dramatic geological story – from ice-carved fjords to volcanic origins – while tidal actions continue to sculpt and reshape the coastline with each passing season, creating an ever-evolving canvas of beaches, rocky outcrops, and tidal pools teeming with marine life.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Unspecified

Check-out

Unspecified

Stay Limit

Unspecified

Guests Allowed Per Site

Unspecified

Groups

There are no group camping facilities mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe campsite consists of two tent platforms and a shared outhouse facility.

Reservation PlatformsNo reservations are required or available.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites operate on a walk-in basis; sites are first-come, first-served.

Cancellation PolicyNo reservation system is in place; cancellations do not apply.

AccessibilityThe source materials do not mention any specific accessibility features.

Site SizeThere are two tent platforms available, but specific dimensions are not provided.

PrivacyDetails about site privacy, such as whether the sites are secluded or clustered, are not provided.

Total Campsites2 campsites

Recommended SitesUse the tent platforms for camping and picnicking. Bring your own water and supplies due to lack of potable water onsite.

Amenities available

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Turn Island Beach Campsite offers limited recreational activities, primarily focused on water-based experiences. Boating is a key highlight, with opportunities for both motorized and non-motorized boating due to its location on saltwater.

BoatingBoating activities, both motorized and non-motorized, are explicitly available due to the site's saltwater location.

Winter Activities

Water Sports