Want a hard roof over your head in the outdoors, consider staying at a public use cabin.
USDS Photo/CNF
If you want to get away to a wilderness cabin, state and federal agencies in Alaska give you more than 300 opportunities. Cabins are located throughout Alaska on trails, lakes, streams, ocean shorelines, alpine areas, and even just off the road. They are managed by different public agencies, each with its own guidelines for rental. Cabins have "rugged" accommodations: usually a heating stove, bunks/sleeping platforms, table and chairs, and an outhouse. You are responsible for providing your own food, cook stove and cooking utensils, water, and bedding.
Access to cabins is by car, plane, boat, trail, or a combination of these. You are on your own for arranging transportation to and from the cabins. Usually a list of operators permitted to provide services within the public land unit can be obtained from the managing agency.
Most cabins are used year round although usage may be strongly discouraged during certain times of the year. Alaska's weather can delay your trip at any time of year, so plan accordingly in regards to extra food, provisions, and pick-up plans. For any travel in Alaska's backcountry, you are responsible for your own safety; be prepared with survival skills and proper equipment.
Generally, cabin permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis for noncommercial purposes to anyone over 18 years old. However, because of high demand, agencies may incorporate a lottery system.
Location/Access — The 19 cabins (and 9 ice fishing huts) within the Fairbanks and Delta Junction areas. Access varies from drive up and hike-in to snowmachine and dog teams.
Reservations — Reservations can be made through Reserve America.
Location/Access — Yukon-Charley Rivers has seven public use cabins accessible by boat.
Reservations — Cabins are available at no-cost on a first-come, first-serve basis. Be aware that if others arrive, you may have company, particularly in emergency situations.
Location/Access — Fure's Cabin is located on the shores of Naknek Lake outside of King Salmon. It is accessible only by boat or float plane.
Reservations — From June 1 to September 17, visitors may rent the cabin though recreation.gov. Outside of June 1 through September 17, reservations are free but must be made by calling park headquarters at 907-246-3305.
Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge
Location/Access — The Refuge has eight public use cabins, each cabin has its own unique wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting and, sightseeing opportunities. You must take a float plane or boat to all of the cabins because there is no road access.
Location/Access — Located in southcentral Alaska and the Prince William Sound the Chugach National Forest has just over 40 different cabins available for rent.
Reservations — Reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance of the first night of occupancy. Reservations can be done by phone at (877)-444-6777 or online at recreation.gov. Maximum length of stay varies from three to seven nights during the summer season. A permit or confirmation number is required for occupying a public recreation cabin.
Location/Access — Three cabins are located around Byers Lake, and three cabins are located in the K'esugi Ken Campground within the state park. Cabins are accessible by car or foot.
Reservations — Reservations can be made through Reserve America.
Location/Access — Seven nautical miles south of Seward lies this historic World War II destination with 3 public use cabins. Derby Cove Cabin, Callisto Cabin, and Tonsina Cabin can all be reached by foot or by boat.
Reservations — Reservations can be made through Reserve America.
Location/Access — Situated near Seward, Kenai Fjords National Park has two costal cabins open only during the summer months at Aialik Bay and Holgate Arm. These Cabins are accessible by float plane and private or charter boat. The park also has one cabin at Exit Glacier, Willow Cabin, open for use only in the winter when Exit Glacier Road is closed (late December through March, depending on snowfall). The Exit Glacier cabin can be reached in the winter by skis, dogsleds, and snowmachines.
Reservations — Reservations for the Holgate and Aialik cabins can be made at recreation.gov. Reservations for the Willow Cabin can be made by calling Park Headquarters at (907) 422-0500. Because of the high demand, cabin use is limited to a maximum of three consecutive days per cabin per year. A permit day goes from noon on the assigned day and ends at noon on the next. individuals in the same party may not make sequential application in an effort to exceed the limit.
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
Location/Access — Cabins are located throughout the refuge, Swanson Lakes to Lake Tustemena. A few of these cabins are accessible by road.
Reservations — The refuge has 14 cabins to choose from, reservations can be made 180 days in advance. Stays can be no longer than seven consecutive days.
Location/Access — Located on the shores of Lake Clark, the Priest Rock Cabin and the Joe Thompson Cabin are accessible only by floatplane or boat from Port Alsworth.
Reservations — Reservations can be made up to six months in advance through recreation.gov.
Location/Access — There are 14 cabins located around four of the lakes in the Nancy Lakes State Recreation Area. Cabins are accessible via foot, canoe, floatplane, skis, dogsled, and snowmachine.
Reservations — Reservations can be made through Reserve America.
Location/Access — Located just outside Valdez, 3 cabins are accessible by boat. The Moraine Cabin and the Kittiwake cabin can also be reached by an unmaintained trail.
Reservations/cost — TReservations can be made through Levitation 49 for $70 a night.
Location/Access — There are 14 cabins throughout the park, many of which are very remote and accessed by flying in to remote airstrips.
Reservations — Most cabins are first-come, first-served with the exception of Viking Lodge Cabin, Caribou Creek Cabin, Nugget Creek Cabin, and Esker Stream Cabin which require reservations.There are no costs to renting the cabins, except for Esker Stream Cabin.
Location/Access — Tongass National Forest is in Southeast Alaska and has over 160 cabins. The majority of these cabins are accessed by plane or boat. Those accessible by trail tend to be more popular and are reserved months in advance. It is best to plan well and make cabin reservations early.
Reservations/Cost — Reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance. Reservations can be done via phone at (877)-444-6777 or online at recreation.gov. User fees vary from $25 to $45 per night. Maximum length varies from three to seven nights during the summer season. A permit or confirmation number is requires while occupying a public recreation cabin.
Location/Access — From Juneau to Ketchikan, there are 14 public use cabins the state manages in Southeast Alaska. Most cabins are accessible by boat but cabins located in Eagle Beach State Recreation Area (Juneau), Point Bridget State Park (Juneau), and Settlers Cove State Recreation Site (Ketchikan) have hike-in access.
Reservations/cost — Reservations can be made through Reserve America and cost $60-$80 per night.
