Can you reserve a site at Signal Creek Campground?

Yes, Signal Creek Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does Signal Creek Campground have?

24 sites in total, of which 23 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at Signal Creek Campground?

45 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Signal Creek Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Signal Creek Campground.

Are campfires allowed at Signal Creek Campground?

Campfires are allowed at Signal Creek Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Signal Creek Campground, Alaska — 23 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Signal Creek Campground is a year-round facility located in the Ward Lake Recreation Area, 7 miles north of downtown Ketchikan and about 4 miles north of the State ferry terminal. The campground straddles Signal Creek and lies on the banks of Ward Lake, with easy access to fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing.

Recreation

Hiking is a popular option, as the Ward Lake Recreation Area boasts seven trails. The Ward Lake Nature Travel meanders 1.3 miles around the lake.

A large day-use complex with picnic sites and shelters is also available. Freshwater fishing, canoeing, kayaking, wildlife viewing and scenery are favorite draws at Ward Lake.

Facilities

Signal Creek Campground's sites can accommodate up to 10 people. Each campsite contains a picnic table, a campfire ring with grill and a gravel parking spur. Two hand pumps for drinking water and three vault toilets are provided. Water is provided during the peak season only. Firewood may be provided but is not guaranteed.

Natural Features

The campground is surrounded by an old-growth temperate rainforest comprised primarily of western hemlock and Sitka spruce. Signal Creek flows through the campground, and Ward Lake is adjacent.

At nearly 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest covers most of Southeast Alaska and is the largest forest in the national forest system. The Tongass surrounds the Inside Passage, the network of waterways that buffers the jagged Alaskan Coast and a cluster of coastline islands.

The Tongass offers visitors a chance to view wildlife, including eagles, bears and spawning salmon. Expansive vistas, including fjords, glaciers and mountain peaks abound.

The facts

Season: May — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
23 bookable sites
24 sites in total, including non-bookable
1 accessible site
Vehicles up to 45 ft
Up to 10 people per site
Loops: SIGN

Site types

23 Standard Nonelectric
1 Management

Amenities

Water hookups
Sewer hookups
Campfires allowed
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

24 campsites at Signal Creek Campground

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Water	Max rig	People
001	SIGN	Management	Back In	Paved	—	30 ft	10
002	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	35 ft	10	🐾
003	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	20 ft	10	🐾
004	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	20 ft	10
005	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	45 ft	10
006	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Lakefront	20 ft	10	🐾
007	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	25 ft	10	🐾
008	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	30 ft	10	🐾
009	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	30 ft	10	🐾
010	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	32 ft	10	♿ 🐾
011	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	34 ft	10	🐾
012	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	30 ft	10	🐾
013	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	30 ft	10	🐾
014	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	26 ft	10	🐾
015	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	32 ft	10	🐾
016	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	25 ft	10	🐾
017	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	30 ft	10	🐾
018	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	35 ft	10	🐾
019	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	30 ft	10	🐾
020	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	40 ft	10	🐾
021	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	25 ft	10	🐾
022	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	30 ft	10	🐾
023	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	20 ft	10	🐾
024	SIGN	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	35 ft	10	🐾

Getting there

From the State ferry terminal, take Tongass Highway north 4.8 miles to milepost 7. Turn right onto Revila Road. Go 1.4 miles and turn right at the Ward Lake Road Intersection. Travel 1.1 miles past Ward Lake Day Use Area to the entrance sign for Signal Creek Campground.

55.40820, -131.69984 · 55°24'29.5"N 131°41'59.4"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 67°F in Aug, down to 39°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	39	41	45	52	59	64	66	67	60	52	43	40
Low °F	32	33	35	39	45	50	54	54	50	43	37	33
Precip in	17.6	11.1	12.6	9.5	7.2	5.9	6.5	11.2	17.7	19.1	19.5	19.4

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Signal Creek Campground

Can you reserve a site at Signal Creek Campground?: Yes, Signal Creek Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Signal Creek Campground have?: 24 sites in total, of which 23 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Signal Creek Campground?: 45 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Signal Creek Campground?: Yes, pets are allowed at Signal Creek Campground.
Does Signal Creek Campground have hookups?: Water, Sewer.
Are campfires allowed at Signal Creek Campground?: Campfires are allowed at Signal Creek Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Signal Creek Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Signal Creek Campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

$10/Night for single unit

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Signal Creek Campground

S'igeidí Aas Hídi Cabin less than 0.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Last Chance Campground 1.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Southeast Heckman Cabin 13.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Heckman Lake Cabin 13.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Jordan Lake Cabin 14.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Phocena Bay Cabin 16.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Three C's Group Use Campground 0.3 mi · Campground
Ketchikan Alaska Public Lands Information Center 5.2 mi · Visitor Center
Deer Mountain Shelter Site 5.5 mi · Campground
Last Chance Campground 5.6 mi · Campground
Wolf Lake Shelter Site 10 mi · Campground
Icehouse Cove Buoy Camping Area 11.8 mi · Campground

Contact

Phone 907-225-2148
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-07-21.

Signal Creek Campground