Ziegler Cove State Marine Park

Overview

Ziegler Cove State Marine Park is a small, pristine, and incredibly sheltered 72-acre wilderness park located on the western shore of Port Wells, approximately 3 miles northeast of Entry Cove and 15 miles from Whittier. Ziegler Cove is the epitome of an Alaskan “pocket harbor” — a highly enclosed, almost landlocked basin that offers exceptional, military-grade protection from almost all wind directions. It is highly favored by kayakers, pocket cruisers, and sailboats seeking absolute refuge from major storms in Port Wells.

Approach

The approach to Ziegler Cove requires close attention to the tide and vessel draft due to its narrow entry channel and shallow entrance bar:

• The Entry Bar: A shallow gravel bar runs directly across the narrow mouth of the cove. At mean lower low water (MLLW), the depth across this bar is only 6 to 8 feet.
• Deep-Draft Vessels: Sailboats and larger powerboats drawing more than 5 feet must time their entry and exit to coincide with the high or mid-tide cycles to avoid grounding.
• Navigation: Enter in mid-channel, staying exactly between the rocky reefs flanking both sides of the narrow gap. Proceed at dead slow speed. Keep a bow watch for rolling logs or drift ice.

Anchoring

Once inside the primary basin, Ziegler Cove offers outstanding, almost bulletproof protection from typical north, west, and south Prince William Sound weather systems. The only slight wind funneling can occur during violent easterlies or southeasterlies blowing directly across Port Wells, though waves cannot build inside the narrow basin.

• Bottom: Sticky mud and silt. Anchor holding is excellent and highly consistent.
• Depths: The central basin is flat, holding depths of 20 to 45 feet of water.
• Stern Tie Recommendation: Because the basin is quite small, utilizing a stern tie to the heavy shoreline trees is highly recommended if multiple vessels are present, ensuring maximum swing safety.

Wilderness Camping & Logistics

Ziegler Cove is a quiet, pristine destination for kayakers and wilderness campers:

• Gravel Beaches: The inner cove features beautiful, protected gravelly-sand beaches that make landing kayaks or inflatable dinghies very safe and straightforward.
• Wilderness Camping: There are several pristine, undeveloped tent spots under the canopy of hemlock and spruce trees bordering the beaches.
• Fresh Water: A permanent, highly reliable freshwater stream flows into the western head of the cove, providing an excellent water replenishment point.

Notes

• Cell Service: Intermittent to weak. You can sometimes catch a weak, unstable LTE signal by heading to the outer spit at the mouth of the cove, but inside the basin, cell coverage is virtually non-existent.
• VHF Radio: Communications with Whittier Coast Guard are fair. Monitor VHF CH 16.
• Bear Activity: High. Black bears are common visitors along the salmon stream at the head of the cove during late summer run cycles. Keep a clean camp and store all attractants in bear-proof containers.