Camping along the Alaska Ferry Route

We love traveling on the ferry system, you meet all kinds of good people. On our trip this summer we included Sitka and felt it was the most interesting and enjoyable stop in SE Alaska. You might want to consider it.

Ferry hoping with a truck camper is the perfect way to see Southeast Alaska.
My brother and I did it in August 2008 and had a wonderful time.
Using the Alaska Marine Highway website we were able to plan for day ferry rides then nights in port and in our camper.
Did not even think about campgrounds beforehand but we stayed in some that weren't close to full.
We also overnighted in parking spots when we didn't find a campground.

My inland brother felt the ferry hoping was a real highlight of our trip.

Get Churches Camping Alaska book, new issue will be ou in December, it will answer all of your questions.

BTW the brown water at Clover Pass didn't hurt us, but YMMV

We went this summer. We were in Juneau and Ketchikan the third week in July. We stayed at Spruce Meadow in Juneau, but after seeing the state (or FS) park, we wished we had stayed there. Large sites, some were actually FHU and on the lake across from the Mendenhall Glacier. Very few campers in there when we drove through, whereas Spruce Meadow was full to the brim.

Ketchikan had some FS camps, I believe. . . Signal Creek and another one as well I think. Same thing there, we didn't stay there, we stayed at Clover Pass, but probably would have been happier at the other camps. I don't think those had hookups though. They close Signal Creek for a bit while we were there due to bear activity.

We had a hard time in Ketchikan finding good water. Clover Pass uses water from a pond and the tannins in the water make it brown. They swore it was safe, tested daily they said. We still wouldn't put it in our tank. Didn't want any residue to remain. We were directed to the water treatment plant but when we got there they said no, can't fill up here, so they told us to go to the harbor. There was a spigot and hose out front but when we inquired, were told no. Said to go to the water place where they sell water. We went, that guy said no because he only sells jugs.

At the end of the day we were at the Visitor's Bureau. No one else was there and the clerk was making small talk. We said our only problem was no place to fill water. She got on the phone to her friend whose husband is the manager at the water company. He said be there after 9 in the morning and if they give us any trouble, tell them he sent you.

So we went in the morning and got fresh water. Life is good.

Loved our trip down through the Inside Passage, ferry hopping all the way. . . stopping over for 2-3 days at a time.

Dale

We made the trip in May of 2009 and camped at every port. If you want to see where we stayed, the Inside Passage portion of our blog for that trip starts here.

You should not have any problems in May as you're considerably ahead of the summer rush. When we did what you're doing we stayed at the Wal Mart in Ketchikan, and in the Juneau area we stayed in Douglas, just across the street from the Robert Savikko State Park. Both are dry camping in what is essentially a parking lot, and the Douglas site requires you register with the Juneau Harbormaster at the small boat harbor. Stay was limited to 3 days but you can extend if they're not full. Dump and water are free right across the street at the city garage. You can also stay at the Mendenhall Glacier ($). If you're going to stop at Petersburg, Wrangel, Skagway or Haines, drop me a note for some suggestions. We never had a reservation at any place we stopped and never had any problems with finding a place to stay.

By the way, if you have a very early ferry out in the AM, you can stay in the ferry lot the might before. Ask inside, not the guys in the lot. We weren't refused any time we asked. Also if you're the on the last boat in, late in the evening, you can stay in their lot until morning as well. Again, ask.

Made a similar trip in '08 (seems like yesterday). Stayed at Signal Creek NF CG 8 mi north of Ketchikan on Ward Lake. They take reservations and we made one since it wss the 4th of July weekend. Stayed at Spruce Meadow RV Park in Juneau, nice private cg later in July w/o reservation. Stayed at a marina just over the suspension bridge in Sitka on the left. We were the only ones there. Made reservation at the Hitchin Post RV Park in Haines because we arrived in the middle of the night. Glad we did. You'll have a great time. We left our tt at home and bought a used tc for the AK trip and sold it when we got back. Wish I still had it.

I can't speak specifically to Ketchikan and Juneau. But, generally speaking in May on the Alaska road system, there is no problem getting into public campgrounds. Holiday weekend can be an exception. Or, arriving late on a Friday night is a "maybe". Commercial parks on the MAINLAND start opening up between May 1 & May 15. Some of the public campgrounds will not be "open" that time of year, but by that it means they're not CHARGING. Near me, the gates are always open. Just don't charge "pre season." I know that's not exactly what you asked, but hope it helps if you're coming further north.