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Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use in Alaska
Hard to BookNational Forest

Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use

Tongass National Forest, Alaska

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As of October 2026, Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use is a campground in Tongass National Forest, Alaska with 2 campsites. Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
people allowed on each site
20

Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use reservations and next available dates

October 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

  • Group bookings open: 6 Months
  • Maximum consecutive stay: 14 consecutive nights
  • Maximum stay: 14 nights

Published by Recreation.gov for Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use, read on September 30, 2026.

Campsites at Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use

  • Group 1
  • Tent 1
  • Accessible 2

Amenities

  • restrooms
  • potable water
  • firewood

At a glance: Setting: Mountain.

Things to do: fishing, hiking, biking, wildlife, photography.

All sites at Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use, as listed by Recreation.gov

SiteLoopTypeSleepsAccess
Sawmill Creek Group CampsiteSawmill Creek CampgroundTent20Accessible
Sawmill Creek Picnic ShelterSawmill Creek Picnic ShelterGroup20Accessible

About Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use

Overview

The Sawmill Creek Campground is a recently renovated recreational facility with camping, picnicking, hiking, and bird and wildlife viewing opportunities nearby. It is 1.5 miles up Blue Lake Road, accessible by vehicles from May 15 to November 1 or accessible by foot, cross-country skis, or bikes year-round. The campground has 3 single tent sites and 1 group site with a 30-person capacity. There are also picnic tables, fire rings, garbage bins, a covered group picnic shelter, and a vault toilet. Two sites can accommodate small RVs, but hookups are not available. For campsites, there is 14-day overnight stay limit per calendar year that is monitored and enforced year-round. It is also advised that visitors bring their own potable water or to treat water collected from Sawmill Creek. There is no campground host on site and firewood is not available for sale. Pallet burning is not allowed. Bear safety is crucial as brown bears can be present any time; please use the bear-proof lockers provided on site. The trailhead for Beaver Lake/Herring Cove Trail is accessible from the campground.

This page is for advance (future) reservations for the Sawmill Creek Group Campsite only. Unless an advance reservation is made, this campsite is free and first come, first serve. If the campsite is already reserved, the reservation dates will be posted at the campsite.

Recreation

  • Access to Beaver Lake Trail within campground: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tongass/recarea/?recid=79060
  • Fishing opportunities in Sawmill Creek

Facilities

The Sawmill Creek Group Campsite has access to a vault toilet and day-use picnic shelter (only available when not reserved in advance).

Natural Features

  • Sawmill Creek
  • Temperate rainforest environment
  • Views of surrounding mountains
  • Access to Beaver Lake Trail

Nearby Attractions

  • Beaver Lake Trail (within campground): https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tongass/recarea/?recid=79060
  • Access to the Thimbleberry/Heart Lake Trails (on Blue Lake Road): https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tongass/recarea/?recid=79142
  • Blue Lake

Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (907) 747-4212.

Rules and notices at Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 30, 2026. Check Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

This campground is only accessible with highway vehicles from May 15 to November 1

Pallet burning is prohibited. Visitors should bring firewood with them

Visitors should bring drinking water. It is recommened that water from Sawmill Creek be treated, boiled, or filtered before drinking

An active population of brown bears inhabits this area. Be bear aware by: being noisy and properly storing food and other bear attractants (toiletries). Have a bear spray available

Food storage required. When not present at campsite or during night, store food in vehicle or the campground bear-resistant boxes.

Keep dogs leashed and under control

Tent pads are gravel; for comfort, additional padding may be needed under tent and/or sleeping bags

Additional campsites available on first-come, first-served basis

Use of recreation area by a commercial outfitter or guide is not allowed; institutional outfitters including universities, schools and clubs may require a special use permit before making reservations

Click here to learn more about the Tongass National Forest

Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use?

Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.

How do I find last-minute availability at Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use?

Cancellations happen frequently at Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use have?

Sawmill Creek Campground and Day Use has 2 campsites.

More campgrounds in Tongass National Forest

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