U.S. Forest Service Cabins
Alaska State Cabins
They Are, For Sure, Not
B&Bs
And They Are Definitely Not Hotels,
But They've Been Called 'America's
Best Travel Bargains'
First let's talk about Southeast Alaska's public-use
U.S. Forest Service
"cabins
in the wilderness." From southerly Ketchikan's Revillagegedo
("Revilla") Island north to Yakutat at the top of the Southeast
panhandle, more than 150 cabins may be rented for up to a week in the
summer (or ten days in winter) for astonishingly low prices. They start
at $35 a day. And that's per party, not per person!
Pt. Amargura
Cabin (Photo: US Forest Service)Most of the units are "fly-in" from nearby cities and smaller communities up and down the Southeast Alaska coast. (Depending on distance flown, that can be spendy.) Some cabins are boat accessible, and a few are "walk-in." The cabins are located on lakes, rivers, or beach fronts. One cabin, commonly accessed from Sitka, features a nearby hot springs pool within a structure whose wide windows look out on the Pacific Ocean.
Bring your own grub, sleeping bags, and personal items, plus fuel for cabins with diesel stoves. (At many units with wood stoves wood already awaits – cut and available for considerate use.)
Fishing at these sites, depending on location and time of the year, ranges from good to grand for salmon, rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, steelhead and other species. Visible wildlife may include brown (grizzly) bear, black bear, deer, and mountain goats. (Please, please view these species at safe distances!
For more information about Alaska wilderness cabins' availability and rates call National Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777 or visit their website at www.reservations.gov on the internet.
Alaska State Parks Rental Cabins
Cowee Creek Meadow cabin (Kevin Miller photo)
The Alaska State Division of Parks rents similar cabins near Ketchikan and Juneau.
For information/reservations concerning these units call 907-269-8400 or view the Alaska Department of Natural Resources website at www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks.