How much does camping cost at Polk Camp?

Camping fees at Polk Camp are $45/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Polk Camp first-come first-served or reservation?

Polk Camp accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Polk Camp before I book?

Yes! Polk Camp has 5 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Polk Camp?

Polk Camp is open January 01 to December 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Polk Camp?

Polk Camp does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Polk Camp?

Fire policies at Polk Camp: Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by purchasing firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit Dontmovefirewood.org .. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Polk Camp have?

Polk Camp has 1 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Polk Camp?

Pets are not allowed at Polk Camp. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

Polk Camp

2.65

16 reviews

Polk Camp, P.O BOX 500, Craig, Alaska 99921, United States

Featured in:Boating Camping Alabama

Quick Facts

30 ft

Price

$45/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Peak Season = May 1-...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Book on US Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

30 ft

Price

$45/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Peak Season = May 1-...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Book on US Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Polk Camp

$45.00 / night

Campsite Fees

CABIN NONELECTRIC-371020: $45.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No campsite fee categories listed.

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Provider

(907) 826-3271

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Polk Camp, P.O BOX 500, Craig, Alaska 99921, United States

Polk Camp

Polk Camp, P.O BOX 500, Craig, Alaska 99921, United States

Nearby places

Craig (45 miles, approximately 2-hour drive)

Driving directionsFrom Craig, take the Craig/Klawock-Hollis Highway toward Hollis. Turn right on the Hydaburg Road (State Route 913) and travel for 8 miles. Turn left onto Forest Road 21 (Polk Inlet and Twelvemile Road). Follow Forest Road 21 for 14 miles, then turn left toward Polk Inlet. The cabin parking area is about 1.5 miles ahead on the left. All roads are marked and the cabin is accessed through a locked gate at the end of the road.

Weather at Polk Camp

Current alerts(8)

A 3-day minimum rental of this facility is required year round.
All garbage and food must be packed out.
Check in and check out are at 12 p.m.
Discharging firearms is prohibited within 150 yards of cabins and across or on any body of water.

Best Time to Camp at Polk Camp

Best season: summer. Summer offers the best balance of weather, daylight, and access — expect long daylight and cool, comfortable temps (highs around 55–65°F / 13–18°C, lows 45–50°F / 7–10°C). This is peak season for boating and fishing (salmon and nearshore halibut), easier hiking on muddy trails, and reliably navigable inlet conditions for floatplanes and small boats. Crowds remain light compared with roaded parks on the mainland, but expect more activity mid-July through August when guide services and local char, Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: January, February, March, April

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer best season: long daylight, mild temps, good access and bear viewing in August.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Peak Season = May 1- November 30 = $75.00 per night Non Peak Season = December 1-April 30 = $45.00 per night

About Polk Camp

Polk Camp is a US Forest Service campground on the coast of Prince of Wales Island near Craig, Alaska. This very small site offers tent camping and cabin rentals in a remote inlet setting surrounded by temperate rainforest. Visitors come for kayaking, fishing, and solitude in one of Southeast Alaska's less-traveled corners.

Polk Camp is a three-bedroom cabin suitable for small groups or families seeking a secluded experience within the Tongass National Forest.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the best balance of weather, daylight, and access — expect long daylight and cool, comfortable temps (highs around 55–65°F / 13–18°C, lows 45–50°F / 7–10°C). This is peak season for boating and fishing (salmon and nearshore halibut), easier hiking on muddy trails, and reliably navigable inlet conditions for floatplanes and small boats. Crowds remain light compared with roaded parks on the mainland, but expect more activity mid-July through August when guide services and local char, Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: January, February, March, April

Elevation30 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe cabin sits surrounded by regenerating Sitka spruce and western hemlock forest where Polk Inlet meets the shore. Nearby estuaries draw sandhill cranes, bald eagles, Sitka black-tailed deer, and seasonal migratory birds. Black bears and wolves leave tracks along the shoreline. The inlet itself offers calm water for kayaking when conditions allow. This is coastal temperate rainforest country: dense, wet, and perpetually green.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe cabin is equipped with three bedrooms, each containing two movable beds (though reviews report the beds to be hard wooden boards), a large kitchen space, and a gathering room. Reviews note the cabin is starting to show wear due to coastal weather.

Programs & ActivitiesNo formal cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay of 14 nights during a visit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Three bedrooms with two moveable beds in each room allow for multiple guests.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityLimited accessibility due to the remote location and reliance on logging roads. No additional details about ADA-compliant features are provided.

Site SizeSpacious cabin with a large kitchen and gathering area; ample room for small groups or families.

PrivacyPrivate, surrounded by a canopy of Sitka spruce and western hemlock, providing seclusion.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesUser reviews suggest bringing extra water, cookware, and bedding due to missing amenities.

Need help booking Polk Camp?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Running water is currently inavailable. Please bring your own water.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Lodging and accommodations

Cabin Lodging

I manage this campground

Things to do at Polk Camp

Polk Camp offers a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, crabbing, wildlife viewing, hunting, and beachcombing. The area is rich in logging history and is surrounded by a diverse ecosystem of wildlife. Nearby, Dog Salmon Creek is popular among anglers, and Dog Salmon Fish Pass is a noted bear viewing site in August.

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Estuaries attract sandhill cranes, bald eagles, deer; tracks of bears and wolves noted.

Water Sports4.0/5

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Polk Camp

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From Booking Sources

2.7

16 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Polk Camp has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight stunning natural views and the quiet, remote location as key positives but frequently criticize the lack of maintenance and misrepresentation of amenities. Issues like non-functional hot water, limited water pressure, and absent cookware and mattresses are commonly mentioned.

Review Summaries

Based on 16 reviews

What Campers Love

"The scenery was breathtaking" and "The inlet was great for kayaking." Many reviews describe the location as serene and picturesque.

Based on 16 reviews

Common Concerns

Poorly maintained amenities, including broken water systems and missing promised items such as cookware and mattresses. Multiple reviews also report unreliable communication with the U.S. Forest...

Based on 16 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No specific site numbers are applicable, as this campground consists of one cabin.

Based on 16 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Call ahead to confirm current conditions. Bring all necessary supplies, including cookware, bedding, and water. Be prepared for a long drive over narrow logging roads.

Based on 16 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Bear viewing is a popular activity in August. Hunting seasons affect visitor traffic during spring, fall, and late summer.

Based on 16 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The view was beautiful but the cabin information was a bit misleading." (SERENE S, 7/16/2021) "A person couldn't ask for a more serene spot to stay." (CHRISTOPHER B, 5/26/2023) "Be prepared not to...

Based on 16 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews specifically address accessibility features, but the remote location and narrow roads may pose challenges.

Based on 16 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews mention experiences with pets.

Based on 16 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Polk Camp

$45.00 / night

Campsite Fees

CABIN NONELECTRIC-371020: $45.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

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

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(907) 826-3271

Go if

You want a quiet, scenic base for kayaking and fishing on Prince of Wales Island and can handle narrow road access.

Skip if

You need running water, supplied firewood, or easy road access to your campsite.

Nearby Campgrounds

P.O. BOX 500, CRAIG, AK, 99921, USA

Josephine Lake Cabin sits in the remote alpine foothills of Tongass National Forest, accessible only by floatplane or a challenging overland hike near Craig. Operated by the Forest Service, this primitive rental cabin offers a wilderness base for hiking, wildlife viewing, and exploring the surrounding lake and alpine terrain. The setting is striking, but maintenance has been inconsistent.

Polk Camp

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Ask Camp Sage about Polk Camp

Campground Map

Weather at Polk Camp

Current alerts(8)

Best Time to Camp at Polk Camp

Planning Tips

About Polk Camp

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Polk Camp?

Amenities available

Things to do at Polk Camp

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews

Get Notified When Available

Go if

Skip if

Explore related camping guides

Ask Camp Sage about Polk Camp

Current alerts(8)

Best Time to Camp at Polk Camp

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Polk Camp?

Amenities available

Things to do at Polk Camp

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews