State Marine Parks - Four Nearest to Whittier
Decision Point State Marine Park
Decision Point State Marine Park is located at the eastern end of Passage
Canal approximately eight miles from Whittier. This popular park is
aptly named as one decides at this point whether to head out into the
larger expanse of water of Port Wells.
This park is generally used by kayakers and small boat users, as there
is no adequate anchorage. Along with forested uplands of spruce and
hemlock, there are two excellent camping beaches.
At the head of Squirrel Cove, a small pebble and sand beach provides
room for two tents on all but the highest tide cycles. On the western
side of the cove there are three tent platforms a cooking area and bear-proof
food locker. Farther along the edge of the western shore is a latrine.
Adjacent to the latrine is a log public contact station. Drinking water
is not available at this site.
Just south of Decision Point is an east-facing, medium-pebble beach
that provides dry, flat camping for up to 10 tents between the dead
trees. The camp areas are above high tide and have two fire rings. This
is one of the heaviest used sites by kayakers, sometimes with large
groups visiting. Small groups using the larger campsite may expect others
to also camp in the area. Water is available in the bight, or bend,
in the coast behind the small peninsula.
Bountiful intertidal life on the rocks at Decision Point may be viewed
during minus tides.
Entry Cove State Marine Park
Entry Cove State Marine Park is located two miles directly east of Decision
Point on the northeast corner where Passage Canal and Port Wells meet.
Forested uplands of spruce and hemlock, interspersed by muskeg, surround
a small cove and lagoon. Near the cove entrance is good anchorage on
northwind days but is generally not used overnight because of variable
winds out of Blackstone Bay.
The lagoon is a good site for clamming, but the entrance is shallow
and can only be accessed by small boats on full high tide.
Just east of the entrance to the lagoon, above the gravel beach, are
sites for about 10 tents on beach gravel between the trees.
This site is used by larger groups of kayakers. Although, there is
a stagnant pond behind the camp area, drinking water is accessible only
from a stream just inside the entrance to the lagoon. A natural arch
located on the east shore of the cove, and a beautiful view of Tebenkof
Glacier, can be seen from the camp area. During moderate and low tide
cycles, some people camp on the sand spit that attaches the Pigot Point
Island.
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Surprise Cove State Marine Park
Surprise Cove State Marine Park is located on the western side of the
mouth of Cochrane Bay. There are many recreational opportunities and
it is one of the most popular anchorages in western PWS. The park includes
forested uplands and two large lakes draining into Surprise Cove. The
uplands and muskeg throughout the park provide good exploratory hiking.
A short trail to North Lake can be found starting at the head of the
northern bight (around the point westward of the largest camping beach).
A small orange triangle with a black "T" will mark the trailhead next
to a small creek. Abundant tide pool life can be found at Point Cochrane
during minus tides.
There are about seven camping sites on various terrains. The most
popular site, which is protected from weather and on flat slate pebbles,
is located above the gravel beach just inside the north entrance to
the cove. Larger groups with kayaks or small motorboats often use the
site, which has room for approximately 12 tents. Three tent platforms
nest against the hillside here to offer scenic views and dryer camping
pads. A small bear-proof locker and latrine are in the center of this
beach.
The second-largest site is above the exposed beach just northeast
of Point Cochrane. There is room for five tents but is only usable in
fair weather due to beach surf. The other sites within the cove are
single tent sites. Two are on relatively dry land by the northern bight,
or bend, in the coast, and the others are on wetlands above the beach
and on the islands. One of the northern bight sites is located on moss
in the trees just west of the stream, the other is on the small rock
promontory 150 feet southeast of the stream. One of these island sites
has part of an old tent platform. Water can be collected at streams
that feed the cove.
The recommended entrance for motorboats and sailboats is the southernmost
entrance south of the island. Though the next passage north is passable,
submerged rocks pose a danger. The two bights off the center of the
cove provide excellent anchorages, protected from most storms. A less
used anchorage is located in the bight behind the islands in the south
part of the cove. The best passage is to go behind the big island clockwise
staying center channel. There are no protected anchorages or campsites
in the south arm of Surprise Cove. Weekends draw the most use, with
eight or more boats in the cove while often only one may be found mid-week.
Ziegler Cove State Marine Park
Ziegler Cove is located on of northern side at the mouth of Pigot Bay
18 miles from Whittier. A protected anchorage in the cove with good-holding
bottom is surrounded by second growth forest of spruce, alder and muskeg.
A maximum of four boats can safely anchor in the cove at one time. A
picnic site with a fire ring is located on the east corner of the cove
above the shale pebble beach. There is a campsite on the north corner
of the cove at the edge of the forest. Drinking water can be found further
up in Pigot Bay.
Four more parks near Whitter
Return to State Marine Parks
in Prince William Sound and Resurrection Bay
Return to Overview Map of Prince William Sound
and Resurrection Bay
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