McMullen Cove

McMullen Cove is a water-access landing and backcountry camping area in Aialik Bay, centered on a cobble spit and a small sheltered bight. It suits boaters and paddlers who can manage a steep beach; this isn't a road stop.

The southeast bight offers some protection from surf, but the cobble shore is steep and rough seas can make landing difficult. Make sure you have a safe way to land and relaunch before committing, especially if wind or weather could change overnight.

There are potential campsites on the rocky spit and more on flat forest rocks at the eastern end of the beach. A food locker sits among the alders at the spit’s south end. A freshwater source is a short paddle away on the south side; its treatment status isn't stated, so check current water guidance before relying on it. Plan for backcountry food storage and human-waste disposal.

Dead standing trees behind the beach form a ghost forest, a record of land subsidence during the 1964 earthquake. Leave the trees in place; the park asks visitors not to use them for firewood. Black oystercatchers also nest on the spit, so seasonal closures may affect access. Check current park notices before landing.

From the back of the cove, paddle to shore and climb boulders and a talus slope toward alpine lakes and open land. The park's description doesn't identify a maintained trail, so treat this as a rough backcountry outing rather than a marked hike. From the beach, driftwood and the standing trees make a useful foreground for the mountain view across the water.