Jack Bay State Marine Park

Jack Bay State Marine Park is situated on the eastern shore of Valdez Arm, approximately 15 miles southwest of the Port of Valdez. Spanning 660 acres of spectacular spruce and hemlock forest, muskeg, and dramatic rocky coastlines, this long, narrow bay is one of the most popular marine destinations in the Valdez region. Renowned for its superb shelter, beautiful public-use cabin, and rich estuary system, the park is a highly valued retreat for recreational boaters, kayakers, and wilderness campers.

⚓ Moorage & Anchoring Tactics

Jack Bay provides outstanding protection, making it a reliable refuge when conditions in open Valdez Arm deteriorate:

Anchoring Holding: The bottom is composed of sticky mud, sand, and minor gravel deposits. Holding is good to excellent, providing reliable moorage for vessels up to 80 feet in length.
Moorage Placement: The preferred anchorage lies in the inner half of the bay, roughly 30 to 60 feet deep. Anchoring centered in the arm provides the best swinging room. Be aware of the rapidly rising bottom as you approach the head of the bay.
Wind & Swell Protection: The high, timbered ridges bordering the bay block most mainland blows, protecting vessels from harsh northerly and southerly winds. Only strong, direct westerly winds can funnel chop through the entrance of the bay. The mouth of the bay can experience moderate ocean swell rolling in from Valdez Arm during heavy southerly blows.

⛺ The Jack Bay Forest Service Cabin

A key feature of the park is the boat-accessible public-use cabin managed by the U.S. Forest Service (Chugach National Forest):

Cabin Architecture: The Jack Bay Cabin is a classic rustic A-frame structure equipped with a wood stove for heating, wooden sleeping bunks, and an outhouse. It is situated in a scenic spruce grove on the southern shore of the bay, commanding beautiful views of the tidal flats and salt marshes.
Reservations & Access: The cabin is highly sought after and requires advanced reservations via Recreation.gov. Access is exclusively by boat or floatplane; there are no trail connections from the Valdez road system.
Estuary Exploration: At the head of the bay, a large saltwater marsh and stream estuary system provides fantastic opportunities for shallow-draft skiff or kayak exploring during high tide. The tidal flats are excellent for viewing nesting waterfowl and spawning salmon in late summer.
Beachcombing & Hiking: Gravel beaches near the cabin offer pleasant beachcombing and access to primitive upland game trails. The forest floor is dense with devil’s club and blueberry bushes, requiring sturdy footwear.

[!IMPORTANT] HEAD OF THE BAY SHALLOW WARNING: The head of Jack Bay terminates in a massive, flat mud and sand delta formed by glacial streams. This area shoals extremely rapidly. Keeled vessels must not navigate east of the cabin cove, as low tides will leave vessels aground on exposed mudflats. Keep a close watch on your depth sounder and proceed only under rising tide conditions if approaching the estuary.

📋 Critical Mariner Checklist

Secure Cabin Bookings: If planning to stay at the Jack Bay Cabin, ensure you have active reservations confirmed via Recreation.gov before departure.
Pack Firewood/Axe: While beach firewood is abundant, wet coastal weather can make dry logs scarce. Bring dry kindling, a saw, or an axe to split firewood for the cabin stove.
Establish Tide Alarms: Ensure your GPS depth alarms are set, particularly if anchoring in the shallower zones near the southern shores or head waters.
Exercise Bear Safety: Both black and Chugach brown bears frequent the salmon streams in Jack Bay. Pack EPA-approved bear spray, utilize on-board food storage, and practice strict food discipline.
Check Valdez Marine Traffic: Maintain a vigilant lookout for heavy commercial tanker traffic and AMHS ferries in Valdez Arm when exiting or entering the bay.