This 11 acre park is dedicated to
Southeastern Alaska’s Native
cultures. The parks significance
is to preserve and display their art,
architecture, and interpret their
culture of the late 19th century. An interpretive trail winds through
the rain forest to a clan house,
20 Tlingit and Haida totem poles,
and spectacular views of Tongass
Narrows. The park was developed during the
depression
era in the late 1930’s. A number of totem poles were
salvaged from unoccupied nearby villages, and brought to communities and parks for reconstruction. With the use of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) funds, skilled carvers were hired among the older Natives to repair, duplicate, or replace the cedar monuments seen at Totem Bight. Totem Bight has been managed by
Alaska State Parks since 1970. Other opportunities at the park
include beach combing, bird and wildlife viewing, berry picking, and flower gardens, There is a picnic shelter that is first come, first served, or can be reserved. The Haida Descendant Dancers perform in the clan house once per month during the summer.
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SETTLERS COVE STATE RECREATION SITE
18 mile N. Settlers Cove is nestled in a quiet
cove in Clover Passage. The State has managed the facility since 1983, which now includes 275.6 acres of water and uplands. A rare feature on the Ketchikan road
system is the sandy beaches found at the park. Sun bathing and whale watching can occur at the same seat, or from a number of day use picnic sites throughout the park. Two picnic shelters are available either first come or can be reserved for a small fee. Contact the District Office for information. The campground has 14 camping units. There are no electric hookups, but several sites can
accommodate RV’s up to 35’. A short trail leads up to a waterfall view deck over Lunch Creek. Before the stairs to the waterfall deck is a bridge that connects to Lunch Falls Loop Trail providing access to a mile of forest and beach trails. In addition, the Lunch Creek Trail accessed from the waterfall view deck provides another 5 miles of trail to Emery Tobin Lakes. The Hollow Cedar Beach Access Trail provides ADA access with assistance to the beach picnic shelter, and is accessed from the large day use parking lot. Fishing for pink and chum salmon from shore in the saltwater during the fall is a favorite sport for all ages.
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REFUGE COVE STATE RECREATION SITE
8 mile N. Tongass Hwy.,
Sunset Drive turnoff
Refuge Cove is a 13 acre day use
park stretching a 1/2 mile between
the sandy beach and roadway. There are 9 picnic sites with fire grills, and a new picnic shelter. There is a ½ mile long coastal trail. This is a favorite stop for many
local families for an evening picnic
and sunset views. The adjacent water passage of Tongass Narrows is also popular amongst the windsurfing and scuba diving communities. State management has been since
1970. The park preserves remnants of a midden site.
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GRINDALL ISLAND CABIN AND STATE MARINE PARK
across Clarence Strait
by Kasaan Peninsula
This 200 acre park includes a public use cabin, mooring buoy, and a variety of recreational opportunities. There is a sea lion haul out at Approach Rock. The island and cabin site was a homestead between 1922 and 1950’s. It operated as a fox fur farm, selling pelts for the demanding Roaring 20’s fashion. The cabin was turned over to State
management in 1991, and can be rented and reserved on the state park website; www.alaskastateparks.org
go to Public Use Cabins.
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BLACK SANDS BEACH & BLANK ISLANDS STATE MARINE PARK
SE end of Gravina Island
The State acquired this undeveloped 640 acre park in 1994. This marine park unit includes the Blank Islands. The dark sandy sloping beaches and forest has been a popular recreation area since the 1930’s, and historically used by the Tlingit for fishing and hunting. The park offers exploring, fishing , hiking, and camping. Access is by boat or aircraft. A new picnic shelter was built in 2010 by First City Rotary.
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GRANT ISLAND (south 1/3) & JOE ISLAND (north of Settlers Cove)
There are approximately 592 acres of undeveloped uplands and tidelands in this marine park unit. State parks took over management in 2002.
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BETTON ISLAND (East side, cove N of Pup Island)
There are approximately 480 acres of undeveloped uplands and tidelands in this marine park unit. State parks took over management in 2002.
