Openings · last 7 days
2
Booking reality
Campsite Sniper detected 2 site openings here in the last 7 days
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-10328148
When El Capitan Cabin reopens
El Capitan Cabin's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
2
Openings · last 90 days
5
Only 5 openings in the last 90 days: not enough recent activity for a reliable pattern. A free Campsite Sniper alert watches around the clock instead, and pings you the moment one opens.
02 · Availability Outlook · Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027 · of 1 monitored site
Of the 183 tracked site-nights (Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027): 145 open for online reservation · 38 reserved.
Where the open windows are
20.8% of tracked site-nights are not currently open for online reservation. 145 of 183 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027Not open online20.8%
Open site-nights145 / 183
Reserved (of online inventory)38 / 183
Weekday openings85
Weekend openings60
Of the open cabin-nights on mapped sites, 85 fall on weekdays and 60 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Mar 2027December holds the most room. 31 of 31 site-nights are still open there.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 1 cabin| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open | |
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 1 | Open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 1 | Open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 1 | Open | |
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 1 | Open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 1 | Open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 1 | Open |
| FRI Jan 1 | 1 | Open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked night. Thanksgiving: 1 cabin is available for the complete three-night stay. Christmas: 1 cabin is available for the complete two-night stay. New Year: 1 cabin is available for the complete two-night stay.
Availability
Most open cabin-nights · tracked window| Cabin | Open cabin-nights |
|---|---|
| El Cap Cabin | 145 |
This cabin currently has 145 cabin-nights available.
Next windows
As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshotNext open dateTue · Sep 22
Next open weekendFri · Oct 2
The next bookable night is Sep 22; the first open weekend starts Oct 2. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Stays and site detail
145 open cabin-nights across 1 cabin at El Capitan Cabin, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
Multi-night stays. 7 2-night, 7 3-night, 1 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Oct 1 at site El Cap Cabin.
All 1 cabin with current availability
| Cabin | Max RV | Hookups | Open cabin-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Cap Cabin | Not recorded | None | 145 | 117 nights | Sep 22, Sep 24, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 3, Oct 8, Oct 18, Oct 19, Oct 20, Oct 24, Oct 25, Oct 26 +133 more |
About El Capitan Cabin
Overview
Newly constructed in 2024, El Cap Cabin offers a truly unique experience to visitors and locals alike. This waterfront, ABA compliant cabin, brags a scenic view of beautiful El Capitan Passage. El Cap Cabin is accessible by road and is located northwest of the small town of Whale Pass. It provides a remote, scenic setting for recreation and relaxation in the Tongass National Forest.
Recreation
The El Cap Campground is nearby many opportunities Prince of Wales island has to offer. Salmon fishing is popular during the summer months as well as fall deer hunting, beach combing and other marine sports including paddle craft and sea kayaking. The nearby El Cap cave system offers guided tours during the summer season and is the longest mapped cave in Alaska at over two miles.
Facilities
El Cap Cabin is a 16x20 pan-abode style log cabin with a covered porch. It sleeps up to six people, however there is only one bunk bed. There are no mattresses. The cabin is equipped with a table, benches, a wood stove for heat and an outside toilet. Other amenities include a cooking counter, shelves, cupboard space, broom, a large woodshed and maul.
The cabin does not have running water or electricity. Visitors must bring their own food, water, Bio brick compressed logs for the woodstove, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cook stove and fuel, fire starter, cooking gear/utensils, lantern or flashlights, toilet paper, first aid kit and garbage bags.
Natural Features
The El Cap Campground is in an area of high geologic interest including the El Cap Cave . The surrounding forest boasts old growth species such as yellow cedar, red cedar, hemlock, and Sitka spruce. There is abundant wildlife viewing for both aquatic and terrestrial species including Sitka black tail deer, black bear, harbor seals, otters and many fish species. Prince of Wales Island has runs of every salmon species except chinook as well as populations of cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden.
Nearby Attractions
The main nearby attraction is El Capitan Cave. El Capitan Cave is the longest mapped cave in Alaska. Cavers mapped over two miles of passage from the main entrance. The only way to see this magnificent cave is during the summer months, when visitors can take advantage of a no cost guided tour given by Forest Service employees. A locked gate guards the cave's entrance to protect against vandalism and possible damage from otherwise well-meaning individuals, as well as to keep inexperienced cavers safe from its hazards. The tour meets near the parking lot and outhouses and leads visitors on a somewhat strenuous hike up a long, steep trail to an elevation of 250 feet and a platform at the mouth of the cave. The tour then proceeds inside the cave for approximately 500 feet and includes information about cave (karst) geology and archeological discoveries. The tour lasts approximately 2 hours. To reserve a cave tour call the Thorne Bay Ranger District at (907) 828-3304 Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at least 2 days in advance. Tour groups are limited in size to six people. Babies in packs or carriers are not allowed, nor are children under seven years of age. Precautions: The trail to the cave is strenuous and steep. There are no trails or lighting in the cave. Hazards include low ceilings, pits, and slippery, uneven ground. Footing is very uneven and only those with very sure footing and good agility should attempt the tour. What to bring: At least one flashlight per person, extra batteries, and sturdy footwear. Hard hats are required and are provided by the Forest Service at the site. Wear warm clothing as the cave temperature is a constant 40 degrees. Wet and muddy conditions are the norm.
Other attractions include the El Cap Campsite and El Cap boat launch. Both are walking distance away from the El Cap Cabin.
1 monitored cabinNo hookupsMax party 8
Getting there
El Capitan Cave can be reached by vehicle, boat, or plane. By road, follow Forest Service Road 20 to Forest Service Road 15 and take a left for about a mile (1.6 km) to the cave. Watch for signs. From both Thorne Bay and Craig is an estimated 3-hour drive. There is a Forest Service dock for use by boats and planes, but they should not be left unattended. No boats over 24' are allowed. Boats over 24' will need to anchor out and skiff in.
Thorne Bay Ranger District, Federal Way, Thorne Bay, AK 99919907-828-3304
BeachcombingBerry PickingBirdingBoatingCanoeingClam DiggingCrabbingDivingFishingGuided Interpretive WalksHikingHuntingKayakingMushroom PickingPhotographyScuba DivingSea KayakingWater AccessWhale WatchingWildlife ViewingWood Cutting
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-10328148 · facility
Photo gallery
Roll CS-10328148 · El Capitan Cabin · Thorne Bay AK4 frames · facility
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at El Capitan Cabin?
Reservations for El Capitan Cabin are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 145 of 183 tracked site-nights are open (79.2%), though availability can change. Campsite Sniper has also detected 5 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 16:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at El Capitan Cabin?
Campsite Sniper detected 2 site-date openings at El Capitan Cabin in the last 7 days, 2 over 30 days and 5 over the last 90.
Can I get a multi-night stay at El Capitan Cabin?
7 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Oct 1 at site El Cap Cabin. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which month has the most availability at El Capitan Cabin?
December 2026, with 31 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 31.
When is the next open date at El Capitan Cabin?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Tue, Sep 22 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Oct 2. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
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