Kake Parks & Trails
Find a waterfall, visit a lake, stroll a beach. There are several hiking trails near Kake where you can get lost in your lush surroundings: watch eagles soar overhead, throw a fishing line in the water, or simply enjoy the quiet sounds of the wind rustling through the trees.
You’re likely to encounter black bear on any of these trails, especially when fish are in season. Please be bear aware and make noise as you hike along.
Portage Bay Trail – Closest to town, follows the beach.
Goose Lake – Nice trail ends at the lake where a rowboat can get you out on the water with the geese.
Cathedral Falls – Short, steep trail descends to a lovely waterfall.
Big John Bay Trail – Walk on the grass flats to a remote cabin location. Watch for wolf track!
Hamilton Creek Trail – Walk along the creek for miles on a flat trail. Stop along the way to picnic and fish.
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Parks & Trails
The trail along Hamilton Creek is busiest around 5 in the morning, as savvy anglers know that’s when the fish are biting! The trail is about 2 miles round-trip, but you can follow the creek for miles, fishing and picnicking along the way. You will be sharing the experience with bears, so secure your snacks, and any fish you catch.
Big John Bay trail is the furthest hike out from Kake, in a remote area right on tidal and saltwater flats. After a drive of 16 miles and a hike of about 2.1 miles, you’ll come to Big John Bay cabin, which can be reserved for the night through the U.S. Forest Service. Getting there requires strict attention to tide tables, as the 15-foot variation in tide restricts trail and cabin access. ...more
The trail down to Cathedral Falls isn’t very long, but involves a steep 100-foot descent (and ascent when it’s time to go back!). Down at the creek, you can explore behind the falls, fish for trout and salmon, or watch black bear, which are likely to be fishing as well.
More than 120 miles of logging roads wind through Kupreanof Island, offering access to trailheads and other remote parts of the island. You can drive on the frequently used roads, and explore others by bike or by foot.
Of all the accessible hiking trails near Kake, the Portage Bay Trail is the closest to town (just over a mile south). It’s a short, one-mile stroll along the beach, where you might see eagles, black bear, salmon and trout.
Goose Lake Trail is a 1.5 mile round-trip, flat and easy hike that ends at Goose Lake, where you’ll find a picnic area and rowboat handy for further exploration or some trout fishing.