Quicksand Cove

Quicksand Cove is a sandy landing beach in Aialik Bay, with forest campsites on both sides of a stream. It is a backcountry water-access stop, not a drive-up beach. Dumping surf can make kayak landings and launches difficult, so plan the water approach carefully.

Both shores have forest campsites, but the food locker and hanging cable are on the south side only. Black bears are regular here, and park rules require food and scented items to be secured; bring an approved bear-resistant canister if you camp away from the locker and cable. Black oystercatchers nest north of the stream mouth, where seasonal closures may apply, so check shore access before landing. No toilet or drinking-water source is identified for the cove; plan as a self-sufficient backcountry camp.

Step over the berm to look for wildlife in the lagoon and sedge meadows. Following the creek inland for about a mile leads toward a waterfall through thick brush, open forest and dry riverbeds; no maintained trail is identified, so this is a rough off-trail outing. Black bears are regular occupants of the area; river otters and wolverines are also reported here.

For a photo that shows what makes this landing distinctive, include the stream mouth cutting across the sand with the cove and forest beyond it. The stream is the feature that divides the northern and southern camping areas.