Hike· Resurrection Bay (Seward)· Alaska Southcentral — Kenai Fjords & Prince William Sound
Caines Head and Fort McGilvray (Caines Head State Recreation Area)
59° 59.2′ N · 149° 23.4′ W
A 5,961-acre state recreation area on the west side of the bay, with World War II gun emplacements and Fort McGilvray on the headland. North Beach is the usual landing, with campsites, picnic shelters and cabins.
Practical
Coordinate is the OSM historic fort node. Alaska State Parks says large boats can anchor off North Beach and use a dinghy ashore; smaller boats can be pulled up above the high-tide line, and there is no formal landing. The old wartime dock at North Beach is unsafe. The coastal beach walk from Lowell Point can only be done at a tide of about 3 ft or less, so tides can strand hikers; the park advises leaving Seward at least two hours before low tide. Camping limit is 15 nights; the park has three cabins. A 2026 trail report also mentions landslide effects near Tonsina Point, so check conditions.
Best for
History and a hike from a dinghy landing
Season
Summer; beach access tide-dependent
Nearby
- Resurrection Bay Whales and Wildlife (Resurrection Bay)1.6 NM away
- Thumb Cove State Marine Park (Resurrection Bay)2.8 NM away
- Humpy Cove (Resurrection Bay)2.9 NM away
- Fox Island (Resurrection Bay)4.3 NM away
- Sunny Cove State Marine Park (Resurrection Bay)4.6 NM away
- Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center (Seward)7.9 NM away
- Resurrection Bay Sailing Charters (Seward)8 NM away
- Seward Small Boat Harbor (Seward)8 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).