Little Dry Island Cabin

Overview

Little Dry Island Cabin offers a secluded retreat on the Stikine River Delta in the Stikine-LeConte Wilderness, with expansive views of the surrounding grassflats. The cabin is popular for bird watching, waterfowl hunting and as a paddling destination. The site can be accessed by float plane or shallow draft boat, depending on conditions. Little Dry Island is 12 miles by air or boat from Wrangell, or 7 miles from the boat ramp on the south side of Mitkof Island. Access to the cabin requires at least a 15-foot tide for boats and a 17-foot tide for float planes. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

The waters around the cabin are ideal for exploring by kayak or canoe during high tide. The Forest Service does not provide boats, and guests must also bring their own flotation devices. Tide tables should be consulted before any boating excursion. Waterfowl hunting is possible in the fall with proper permits.

Facilities

The 16-by-16 cabin ( modified A-frame style ) was built in 1980 and has two single bunks (one with a trundle bed) and a second-floor loft, to sleep up to seven people. It also has a table with benches, a wood stove, broom and an outhouse. A wooden cooler box for food storage is attached to the cabin. Water and electricity are not provided. Water may be available from a rain catchment barrel, but guests should be sure to treat water before drinking or cooking with it ( water safety tips ). It is recommended that guests bring their own water supply. In addition to bringing a cook stove, guests should provide their own firewood, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, lanterns or flashlights, cookware, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and matches, among other necessities. Guests are expected to pack out trash and clean the cabin before leaving ( click here for more cabin details).

Natural Features

The cabin is perched on a low rock outcrop between tide flats and a forest of spruce and hemlock. The surrounding terrain is relatively flat with grass and shrubs growing on the tide flats. Wildflowers are prominent in May and June. Brown and black bears, bald eagles, owls, hawks and moose inhabit the area ( bear safety information ). The Stikine River tidal flats are a major stopover spot for waterfowl and shorebirds during spring and fall migrations.

Reservations can be made the day of arrival or up to 180 days in advance of cabin arrival. Cabin reservations are restricted to a maximum stay of 7 consecutive nights per party for any one reservation between May 1 and September 30, and 10 consecutive days from Oct. 1 through April 30. There are no discounts for Alaska cabin rentals with Golden Age and Golden Passports. Only one change per reservation for all Alaska cabins is allowed. Change is defined as a modification to the start or end date of the reservation; after one change has been made, if additional changes are desired, the customer must cancel the current reservation and re-book the new dates.