Tonsina Point Campground is the first campground, 2.1mi hike in from Lowell Point, on the way out to Caines Head/North Beach or is a great destination to camp on its own. Parking at the trail head does cost $5/night or is free with a season pass. The trail passes through beautiful forest and gains some elevation, about 250ft, before dropping down to the coast line. To access Caines Head after Tonsina, one MUST pay attention to the tide tables and can only safely pass the shoreline at low tide. We arrived late in the day, and low tide was at 7am the next day, so camping at Tonsina was a perfect choice. Now mind you, it gets crowded on the weekends on this trail, but we came out on a Thursday in late summer and the campground was empty.
The campground itself is set back in the forest for some windbreak. There is about 5 or 6 semi private, flat sites with fire circles with dispersed places for tents here and there. There is a long drop toilet but NO toilet paper. There are two bear bins for food with two picnic tables that has an overhead shelter roof. Great on rainy days. No running water but there's a gorgeous stream nearby for filtering.
If it's a nice day like we had, bypass the official camping area and camp on the beach. We found a lovely flat spot well above the waterline. Woke up to eagles, harlequin ducks and glacier views. Kept our food in the bear bins as there are frequent bear sightings.
We continued on to Caines Head/North Beach the next night but I'd also have been perfectly happy to relax on the beach with a book and some binoculars for a few days.
