El Capitan Cabin

5 reviews

El Capitan Cabin

Quick Facts

Price

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Booking

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Sites

1 campsites

Season

El Cap cave tours ar...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens U.S. Forest Service - Tongass National Forest (Thorne Bay Ranger District) site

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Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

1 campsites

Season

El Cap cave tours ar...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens U.S. Forest Service - Tongass National Forest (Thorne Bay Ranger District) site

Get Directions

El Capitan Cabin

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No cabin fee information provided in source. El Capitan Cave guided tours are offered at no cost.

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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Provider

(907) 828-3304

What Campers Say

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Limited Reviews

Based on 5 reviews

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Best Time to Camp at El Capitan Cabin

Summer transforms this corner of the Tongass into an angler's paradise, with salmon runs drawing fishermen to the passage waters while adventurers explore the remarkable cave system nearby. As autumn arrives, the forest comes alive with deer hunters tracking Sitka black-tailed deer through the old-growth timber. Year-round, the cave maintains its steady 40-degree temperature, offering a cool respite during warmer months and a relatively mild environment when winter winds blow outside. The cabin welcomes visitors throughout the seasons, each offering its own unique wilderness experience.

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)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Summer (cave tours operate in the summer season).. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: El Cap cave tours are offered during the summer season; cabin availability season not specified.

About El Capitan Cabin

Welcome to El Capitan Cabin, a brand-new 2024 waterfront retreat where adventure meets accessibility in the heart of Alaska's Tongass National Forest. This ABA-compliant 16x20 pan-abode log cabin sits along the pristine waters of El Capitan Passage northwest of Whale Pass, offering an authentic off-grid experience for up to six guests with wood stove heating and rustic amenities—just remember to pack your essentials, as there's no running water or electricity in this remote wilderness haven.

El Cap Cabin is a remote waterfront cabin lodging site with minimal utilities and outdoor-focused recreation nearby.

Historical SignificanceBeneath the forest floor lies El Cap Cave, Alaska's longest mapped cave system and a treasure trove of archaeological secrets that tell stories of human presence spanning thousands of years. Guided tours lead visitors through this subterranean wonder, where expert interpreters reveal both the geological forces that carved these passages through ancient limestone and the artifacts left by those who came before. The cabin itself represents the newest chapter in this landscape's story, constructed in 2024 to provide modern adventurers with accessible lodging while they explore one of Southeast Alaska's most significant natural and cultural sites.

Weather and SeasonsSummer transforms this corner of the Tongass into an angler's paradise, with salmon runs drawing fishermen to the passage waters while adventurers explore the remarkable cave system nearby. As autumn arrives, the forest comes alive with deer hunters tracking Sitka black-tailed deer through the old-growth timber. Year-round, the cave maintains its steady 40-degree temperature, offering a cool respite during warmer months and a relatively mild environment when winter winds blow outside. The cabin welcomes visitors throughout the seasons, each offering its own unique wilderness experience.

ElevationYour journey to El Cap Cave follows a trail that climbs through the coastal forest to meet a viewing platform perched at approximately 250 feet elevation, right at the dramatic entrance to Alaska's most extensive cave system.

Natural Features and SceneryFrom your cabin door, El Capitan Passage stretches before you, its waters reflecting the towering old-growth forest that has stood here for centuries. Ancient yellow cedar, red cedar, hemlock, and Sitka spruce create a cathedral-like canopy overhead, while the forest floor and shoreline teem with life. Watch harbor seals bob in the passage, otters play among the kelp beds, and if you're patient, you might spot a Sitka black-tailed deer emerging from the timber or a black bear foraging along the shore. The waters run thick with salmon during their seasonal migrations, joined by cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden that make these pristine streams their home.

Geological RegionNestled within the vast Tongass National Forest, this area showcases some of Southeast Alaska's most fascinating geology, where ancient limestone formations have been sculpted by water and time into the karst landscape that defines this region. El Cap Cave stands as the crown jewel of this geological wonderland—Alaska's longest mapped cave system, carved through millennia into the bedrock beneath your feet, offering a window into the powerful forces that continue to shape this dynamic landscape.

Campsite details

AccessibilityABA compliant and accessible by road.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended CampsitesBring your own food and water, Bio brick compressed logs for the wood stove, sleeping bags and pads (no mattresses provided), cook stove and fuel, fire starter, cooking gear/utensils, lanterns or flashlights, toilet paper, first aid kit, and garbage bags. For cave tours bring at least one flashlight per person, extra batteries, sturdy footwear, and warm clothing.

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Reserving a campsite

Guests Allowed Per Site

Sleeps up to six people.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutOne 16x20 pan-abode style log cabin with a covered porch, one bunk bed (no mattresses), table, benches, cooking counter, shelves, cupboard space, broom, large woodshed and maul, and an outside toilet.

Open and Closed SeasonEl Cap cave tours are offered during the summer season; cabin availability season not specified.

Reservation PlatformsTo reserve El Capitan Cave tour call the Thorne Bay Ranger District at (907) 828-3304 Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at least 2 days in advance. (No reservation platform specified for the cabin.)

Accomodation available

Cabin lodgingCabin lodging is available for campers seeking a more sheltered and comfortable experience. These enclosed accommodations offer protection from the elements and are ideal for those who prefer not to camp in tents.

Amenities available

Lodging and accommodations

Activities you can enjoy

Recreational opportunities center on marine and forest activities: salmon fishing, deer hunting (fall), beach combing, paddlecraft and sea kayaking, cave tours with a strenuous hike, and abundant wildlife viewing.

Hiking

Trails include a strenuous, steep hike to the El Capitan Cave entrance (up to 250 feet elevation) used for guided cave tours; hiking conditions to the cave are steep and strenuous with uneven footing.

Fishing

Salmon fishing is popular in summer; Prince of Wales Island has runs of every salmon species except chinook and also supports cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden.

Boating

Marine recreation includes paddle craft and sea kayaking; El Cap boat launch is within walking distance of the cabin.

Wildlife viewing

Abundant opportunities to see Sitka black-tailed deer, black bear, harbor seals, otters and various fish species in the surrounding old-growth forest and marine areas.

Beach activities

Beach combing and other shore-based activities are available along nearby beaches.

Cultural and Educational Programs

Guided summer tours of El Capitan Cave (no cost) are provided by Forest Service staff; tours meet at the cave parking area and include a hike and an approximately 500-foot cave visit with information on karst geology and archaeological discoveries. Reservations for cave tours are made via the Thorne Bay Ranger District.

Water Sports

Sea kayaking, paddle craft and other marine sports.

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed
The cabin is heated by a wood stove; visitors must provide Bio brick compressed logs for the wood stove. No information provided about open campfire allowances or fire rings.

Hazards

General hazardsCave hazards include low ceilings, pits, slippery and uneven ground, and lack of lighting. The trail to the cave is long, steep, and strenuous, rising to a platform at about 250 feet elevation. General area hazards include typical wildlife (black bear) and marine hazards; specific campground hazards beyond the cave hazards are not listed.

Weather at El Capitan Cabin

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Partly cloudy

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 80%

Wind: 6.5 mph

Partly cloudy

Weather History

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Good to know

Peak season datesSummer (cave tours operate in the summer season).

Trash and recyclingVisitors are asked to bring garbage bags.

Proximity to water featuresWaterfront on El Capitan Passage; El Cap boat launch and El Cap Campsite are within walking distance.

Campground Map

El Capitan Cabin

Driving directionsBy road, follow Forest Service Road 20 to Forest Service Road 15 and take a left for about a mile (1.6 km). 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; boats and planes should not be left unattended. No boats over 24' are allowed; boats over 24' must anchor out and skiff in.

Accessible by road via Forest Service Road 20 to Forest Service Road 15; also reachable by boat or plane.

Nearby places

Thorne Bay — approximately a 3-hour drive

Craig — approximately a 3-hour drive.