Shoup Bay State Marine Park

Shoup Bay State Marine Park is situated approximately six miles west of Valdez. Known for its massive tidal glacier, rugged mountain terrain, and an globally significant black-legged kittiwake nesting colony, this park is a popular destination for Valdez-based boaters, paddlers, and wilderness campers.

⚓ Moorage & Anchoring Tactics

Anchoring inside Shoup Bay presents significant challenges due to deep water, glacial deposits, and shifting ice:

Tidal Spit Navigation: The entrance to the inner lagoon is guarded by a shallow, narrow tidal channel. The channel has a fast-moving current during peak tide shifts and can be navigated only by shallow-draft skiffs, jet boats, or kayaks at high tide. Keeled vessels must remain anchored in the outer bay.
Outer Anchorage: Anchor on the western shore of the outer bay in 20-50 feet over a silt and gravel bottom. Holding is only fair due to loose glacial deposit layers; ensure high scope is laid out and monitor for drag under strong southerly winds.
Glacial Ice Hazard: Shoup Glacier (terminating at the head of the inner bay) actively calves, filling the inner lagoon with floating icebergs, bergy bits, and growler fields. High winds can push large packs of ice out into the outer bay, requiring active ice-watch vigilance.

⛺ Public Use Cabins

The park features three popular public use cabins managed by concessionaires (Valdez Adventure Alliance) or Alaska State Parks, making it an excellent base camp:

McAllister Creek Cabin: Available all season. Situated near the creek outflow, providing excellent freshwater access and hiking terrain.
Kittiwake Cabin: Available all season. Positioned with spectacular views of the inner bay and glaciated peaks.
Moraine Creek Cabin: Restricted Availability. To protect nesting seabirds, this cabin is open to the public only before May 15 and after September 1. It is closed during the peak nesting season.

🐧 The Kittiwake Rookery & Wildlife Protections

Shoup Bay hosts one of the largest black-legged kittiwake colonies in Prince William Sound, with over 20,000 birds nesting on the glacial moraine and cliffs.

[!CAUTION] MANDATORY SEASONAL CLOSURE: To prevent nesting failures, the upper portion of Shoup Bay is strictly CLOSED to all personal watercraft (PWC), jet boats, hovercraft, and floatplanes between May 15 and August 31.

Flushing nesting birds from the cliffs causes eggs and chicks to fall to their death. Motorized vessels authorized to operate in outer zones must proceed at slow, low-noise speeds.

📋 Critical Mariner Checklist

Check Upper Bay Status: Ensure no motorized watercraft (PWC, hovercraft) enter the inner lagoon between May 15 and August 31.
Establish an Ice Lookout: Shifting ice blocks from Shoup Glacier can surround anchored hulls in the outer bay.
Verify Tide Heights: Keeled vessels must not attempt the inner lagoon entry channel.
Pack Synthetic Layers: Silt-laden water from the glacier severely drops local air temperatures. Avoid cotton clothing completely.