MEMORIAL BEACH SHELTER

Open — Open year-round, first-come, first-served. No reservations required.

About

Memorial Beach Shelter is a dispersed camping and picnic area located on Prince of Wales Island within Tongass National Forest. The site commemorates twelve individuals who perished in a plane crash in Sumner Strait, with a memorial at the beach honoring their lives. Access is via a 1,000-foot trail through an impressive grove of old growth spruce trees, leading to three dispersed camping and picnic sites along the beach. The site offers spectacular views of Sumner Strait, Kupreanof Island, Kuiu Island, and on clear days the higher peaks of the mainland. Marine wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with whales, sea lions, and seals often swimming by, and numerous bird species migrating over Sumner Strait. A rustic shelter provides basic protection from the elements. Each of the three camping sites features a picnic table and fire ring. An outhouse is located at the trailhead, approximately 1,000 feet from the beach sites. Potable water is not available, so visitors must bring their own. The site is accessed from Forest Road 20 toward Port Protection, turning onto Forest Road 20860 for approximately 3 miles.

Directions

Access from Forest Road 20 toward Port Protection. Turn right onto Forest Road 20860 and travel approximately 3 miles to Memorial Beach trailhead. The camping sites are accessed via a 1,000-foot trail from the parking area.

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