Grindall Island State Marine Park

About

Grindall Island State Marine Park encompasses 240 acres of remote Southeast Alaska wilderness in Clarence Strait. The island was homesteaded and operated as a fox farm between 1922 and the 1950s before becoming a state marine park. Today it offers a public use cabin built in 1969, perched on a rocky bluff with views of Grindall Passage. Access is by boat or float plane only, with no dock available, so visitors need a small craft to get from their vessel to the beach. An unmaintained mooring buoy sits inside Grindall Passage. The cabin sleeps 6 to 8 people and features a wood stove for heating, double bunks, and a pit toilet. There is no fresh water at the site; visitors must bring their own supply. Firewood is not provided. An unmaintained forest trail leads from the cabin to a small interior lake. The area is renowned for king salmon and halibut fishing, scuba diving, beachcombing, and wildlife viewing including humpback whales, orcas, and a sea lion haul-out at Approach Rock on the island's southeast side. Clarence Strait's weather and seas can be unpredictable and hazardous. Average summer temperatures range from 55 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity and rainfall. Visitors should prepare for bear encounters and bring sleeping bags, food, cooking equipment, stove fuel, water containers, firewood, flashlights, and appropriate wet-weather gear.

Directions

Accessible only by boat or float plane. Located 18 air miles from Ketchikan and 40 air miles from Craig. There is no dock; a small craft is needed to reach shore from your vessel. An unmaintained mooring buoy is available inside Grindall Passage (use at own risk).