Resurrection Bay State Marine Parks
First up is Thumb Cove State Marine Park, which is just 9 miles south of Seward, and across Resurrection Bay. Located on the east side of the Bay, Thumb Cove dips into the peninsula. The 720 acres of the park here offer forested uplands, a long beach with fine to medium sand, and Porcupine Glacier. Boaters love to camp right on the beach, as well as fish for salmon. There's also backcountry camping and cabins for rent, complete with mooring buoys. Some freshwater is available from the glacier. This is also the only state park here that offers toilet facilities.
South of Thumb Cove is the Sandspit Point State Marine Park. Right in Resurrection Bay on the northeastern tip of Fox Island, this park is just twelve miles from Seward. Also called Renard Island, the park here features a fine sand north beach that's full of marine life in its tide pools. Steep and inaccessible uplands and a low spruce forest make up most of the park's 560 acres. Kayakers love to camp on this beach due to the north beach's easy landing.
Head further south on Fox Island to get to the Sunny Cove State Marine Park which dominates the entire southern tip for 960 acres. Another pupular spot for beach camping, this park offers pawtastic views of Aialik Cape of Kenai Fjords National Park, Callisto Head, and Bear Glacier. Besides the beach, most of the park is filled with vertical rock cliffs. Camping is restricted to the beach, as the rest of the park is undeveloped.
Heading east from Sunny Cove, you can find the Driftwood Bay State Marine Park on the southeast tip of Cape Resurrection. These 1,480 acres are a mix of private and public lands, with a gravel and cobble beach used for camping and fishing for lingcod, black bass and rockfish. Hunting of goats and wildlife viewing are also pupular activities. At 22 miles by boat from Seward, this area is primarily day-use, with some seasonal private residences.
North of Driftwood Bay on the western side of Day Harbor is the Safety Cove State Marine Park. The park's 960 acres are 28 miles by boat from Seward. With beach camping in the cove, and upland exploration of the spruce, alder and hemlock forest, this park also boasts a freshwater lake near the head of the cove.
Dogs are welcome to explore any of the Resurrection Bay State Marine Parks with you, but they must remain on a six-foot leash. If your doggo is good with voice commands, they can go off leash in backcountry areas. Dogs must be licensed, tagged, and vaccinated before they can enter the parks. Be sure to pack all the essentials to ensure a safe and wooftastic adventure, including water to share, food, and clean-up bags. Remember to pick up after your pup, and carry out any waste with you.
For an adventure unlike any other in the wilds of Alaska, check out the Ressurrection Bay State Marine Parks with your pup!
