Beal

Beal Island is the only tidewater camping facility operated by the [Appalachian Mountain Club](http://www.outdoors.org/). Located in the Sasanoa River, just south of the dramatic but dangerous Lower Hell Gate, this 64-acre island offers meadow camping, a large beach area, and a hiking trail. The island is named for [Jeremiah Beal](https://georgetownhistoricalsociety.org/genealogy/getperson.php?personID=I988&tree=tree1) who lived there with his wife, Phebe Hall Shea, in the early 1800s and farmed the western side of the island.

A spacious camping area (with nearby outhouse) is located on the southernmost finger of the island. Two cooking tables with poles that can support rain tarps are located at the beach landing area. Please do not dismantle the large fire ring located on the beach, as it is used during AMC trips and is the only place fires are allowed. Please bring your own firewood. A map of the hiking trail is posted at several locations along the trail.

There is no fresh water on the island. Only Beal Island campers with a paid reservation have access to fresh water, parking and a launch site at the Knubble Bay Camp (located about one mile south on the mainland). Visitors are asked to carry out everything they carry in, and to treat this island treasure with care. Safely paddling the waters around Beal Island requires awareness of the tides and currents, especially in the vicinity of Lower Hell Gate. [Click here](https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaacurrents/Predictions?id=ACT0591_1) for NOAA’s tidal current predictions.

For more information or to make a reservation, [click here](https://www.amckbc.org).