Marine birds are abundant, as are sea mammals such as seals, sea otters, whales, sea lions and porpoises. Shore animals living in the area include mountain goats, brown and black bears, wolves, wolverines, marmots and coyotes. Camping facilities are primitive. There are two public use cabins at the park. Campers are expected to carry out their trash, and water, scarce at times, must be boiled.
Food needs to be stored to avoid attracting bears and other wildlife.
Because there are no roads leading to the park, it is seldom used in winter. However, it is possible to ski or snowshoe to the site. A hiker enjoys the view from Thumb Cove at Caines Head. Army dock at North Beach in the Caines Head State Recreation Area. Visitors examine a World War II bunker.