Backcountry camping on the Alaska coast with dense rainforest and mountains

Camping Tips

Everything you need to sleep well, stay safe, and leave no trace in the Alaskan backcountry.

Camping in Southeast Alaska means rain, bears, and some of the most spectacular wilderness on earth. The same rainforest that makes it beautiful makes it demanding. These guides cover the practical realities of setting up camp, staying safe in bear country, and keeping yourself dry and fed when the weather turns.

Bear Safety

Camping in Bear Country

Every campsite in Southeast Alaska is bear country — both black bears and brown bears. A proper camp setup is not optional. The sleep triangle, a clean cook site, and a solid food hang are the three non-negotiables that keep you and the bears safe.

Separate your sleep, cook, and food storage sites by at least 200 feet in a triangle
Hang food, trash, and scented items at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet from the trunk
Never cook or eat in your tent — food smells linger in fabric for days
Carry bear spray and know how to use it; keep it accessible, not buried in your hatch
Make noise when moving through dense brush — surprise encounters are the most dangerous

Campsite Selection

Choosing a Campsite

In Southeast Alaska, campsite selection is as much about tides and drainage as it is about comfort. A beautiful flat beach can be underwater in six hours. Knowing how to read the land — and the tide tables — before you pitch your tent is a fundamental skill.

Always check the high tide line before pitching — look for wrack lines of kelp and debris
Camp above the highest tide line, not just the current high water mark
Avoid camping in creek drainages — they flood fast and funnel bear traffic
Flat ground with good drainage beats a scenic spot that pools water in heavy rain
On exposed beaches, look for natural windbreaks — a line of spruce can make the difference

Gear

Shelter & Sleep Systems

Southeast Alaska averages over 90 inches of rain per year in many areas. Your shelter system needs to handle sustained heavy rain, wind, and condensation. A three-season tent is the minimum — a four-season or expedition tent is better for exposed coastal camps.

A freestanding tent with a full-coverage rainfly is essential — tarps alone are not enough in sustained rain
Seam-seal your tent before every trip — factory seams leak after a season of use
A sleeping bag rated to 20°F or lower, paired with a synthetic or wool base layer, handles most conditions
Sleeping pad R-value matters more than bag rating in cold, wet conditions — aim for R-4 or higher
Pack a dry bag for your sleep system — wet sleeping bags are a serious safety issue

Cooking

Camp Kitchen in the Rain

Cooking in Southeast Alaska means cooking in the rain — often sideways rain. A reliable stove, a cook shelter, and a simple meal plan make the difference between a hot dinner and a cold, miserable night. Keep your cook site clean and your food system bear-proof from day one.

A canister stove with a windscreen handles most conditions; bring a backup lighter
A small tarp rigged as a cook shelter is worth every ounce — cooking in the open in rain is miserable
Freeze-dried meals are reliable but heavy on waste — plan your trash management accordingly
Pack out all food waste including fish scraps — bury nothing, burn nothing on the beach
Wash dishes 200 feet from your sleep site and dispose of gray water well away from camp

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace in Southeast Alaska

The coastlines and islands of Southeast Alaska see relatively light use — and that's worth protecting. LNT principles apply everywhere, but the specifics matter here: tidal zones, sensitive intertidal ecosystems, and remote wilderness require extra care.

Camp on durable surfaces — gravel beaches, rock, or established sites; avoid fragile intertidal zones
Human waste: use a WAG bag or cat hole at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails
Pack out everything — there is no trash service in the backcountry and no burning on beaches
Avoid trampling kelp and eelgrass beds when landing — they are critical fish and wildlife habitat
Leave cultural sites, fish traps, and Native artifacts exactly as you find them

Weather

Managing Wet Weather

Rain in Southeast Alaska is not an event — it is the baseline. Planning for wet weather means building it into your schedule, your gear list, and your mindset. Weather windows open and close fast; knowing when to move and when to stay put is a core backcountry skill.

Check NOAA forecasts daily but treat them as guidance, not guarantees — local conditions vary widely
Build weather days into your itinerary — being pinned down for 1–2 days is normal, not a failure
Wet wool and synthetic insulation retain warmth; wet cotton kills — leave cotton at home
A dry change of camp clothes sealed in a dry bag is a morale and safety essential
Wind is often more dangerous than rain — watch for williwaws (sudden violent gusts) in fjords and inlets

Know the water too.

Solid camping skills pair with solid paddling skills. Check out the kayaking tips.

Kayaking Tips