Best Cabin Camping near Ester, AK

Camping cabins near Ester are the charming alternative to a tent or a yurt. Find the best information on cabin camping near Ester, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. Find your own little secluded paradise in nature. The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect camping cabin rental.

Best Cabin Sites Near Ester, AK (5)

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      1. Wickersham Creek Trail Shelter

      1 Review
      Ester, Alaska

      The Wickersham Creek Trail Shelter was constructed in 1975 by the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) as an emergency shelter for winter recreators. It is available on a first come first served basis and no fees are charged for its use. The 8' x 10' log cabin can sleep two people in bunk beds, and has a wood stove for heat. The shelter is equipped with one small bunk, a cook counter, propane cookstove and lantern, an ax and a bowsaw. The Wickersham Creek Trail Shelter is not accessible by ATV's in the summer. The Wickersham Creek trail summer conditions are poor and boggy and not recommended for hiking. ACTIVITIES Hiking Winter Sports Wildlife Viewing Fire Lookouts/cabins Overnight

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      • Cabins
      • No image available

        2. Summit Trail Shelter

        1 Review
        Ester, Alaska

        The Summit Trail Shelter, constructed in 2003, is a 10'x10' log cabin with 1 bunk bed and a table. The cabin is approximately 8 miles from the Wickersham Dome Trailhead adjacent to the Summit Trail and is generally intended for summer use. The small cabin offers emergency shelter during inclement weather, and is on a first come first serve basis. No fees are charged for its use. Unlike the other White Mountains cabins, it has no woodstove. The Summit trail is open to non-motorized use only. ACTIVITIES Hiking Picnicking Winter Sports Wildlife Viewing Fire Lookouts/cabins Overnight

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        Camper-submitted photo from Harding Lake State Recreation Area
        Camper-submitted photo from Harding Lake State Recreation Area
        Camper-submitted photo from Harding Lake State Recreation Area
        Camper-submitted photo from Harding Lake State Recreation Area
        Camper-submitted photo from Harding Lake State Recreation Area
        Camper-submitted photo from Harding Lake State Recreation Area

        3. Harding Lake State Recreation Area

        5 Reviews
        30 Photos
        22 Saves
        Salcha, Alaska

        The main campground, consisting of 78 vehicle and five walk-in sites, is located in a spruce/birch forest. Many vehicle sites are large enough to accommodate large motor homes or trailers. There is a limit of six people and two vehicles per campsite. Some sites are adjacent to others, allowing groups to park together. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. Firewood can also be purchased at the campground. Please use existing fire rings and picnic tables. Sanitary dump station, free if camping at Harding, $5 fee if dumping without camping.

        Additional camping space is now also available for self-contained units week days at the Lakefront day use area and additional camping for up to 10 camp units is available in the Camp Lot camping area, which is located close to the lake.

        • Pets
        • Fires
        • Electric Hookups
        • Phone Service
        • Reservable
        • ADA Access
        • No image available

          4. Salcha River State Rec Area

          1 Review
          1 Save
          Salcha, Alaska

          Salcha River State Recreation Site offers campsites, boat launch and a Public-Use Cabin. Winter activities include cross country skiing and snow machining up or down the river (when frozen). Its location makes it a great get away from Fairbanks.

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          Camper-submitted photo from White Mountains National Recreation Area - Alaska Cabins
          Camper-submitted photo from White Mountains National Recreation Area - Alaska Cabins
          Camper-submitted photo from White Mountains National Recreation Area - Alaska Cabins
          Camper-submitted photo from White Mountains National Recreation Area - Alaska Cabins
          Camper-submitted photo from White Mountains National Recreation Area - Alaska Cabins
          Camper-submitted photo from White Mountains National Recreation Area - Alaska Cabins

          5. White Mountains National Recreation Area - Alaska Cabins

          Be the first to review!
          19 Photos
          2 Saves
          Fort Wainwright, Alaska

          Overview

          Located just an hour's drive from Fairbanks, Alaska, the one-million-acre White Mountains National Recreation Area offers stunning scenery, peaceful solitude and outstanding opportunities for year-round recreation including hiking, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, skiing, wildlife and scenic viewing. There are 13 beautiful log cabins throughout the White Mountains offering many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Be sure to carry your cabin permit at all times while in the White Mountains National Recreation Area. Also located in the White Mountains National Recreation Area are two trail shelters that are available on a first-come, first-served basis only.

          Recreation

          Winter visitors travel by ski, snowshoe, dog team, fat bike and snowmobile to enjoy the 12 public-use cabins and 250 miles of maintained trails that make the White Mountains one of Interior Alaska's premier winter destinations. The cabins must be reserved up to 30 days in advance. There are two trail shelters that are on a first come-first served basis, are free of charge and not reservable. In Summer, visitors to the White Mountains pan for gold, fish, hike and camp under Alaska's midnight sun. The Nome Creek Road provides access to two campgrounds, trails, a gold-panning area and a departure point for float trips on Beaver Creek Wild and Scenic River. Learn more about current trail conditions or call the Fairbanks District Office at (907) 474-2200. For a winter trails condition report, go to the Trail Update__

          Facilities

          Winter visitors travel by ski, snowshoe, dog team, fat bike and snowmobile to enjoy the 12 public-use cabins and 250 miles of maintained trails that make the White Mountains one of Interior Alaska's premier winter destinations. The cabins must be reserved up to 30 days in advance. There are two trail shelters that are on a first come-first served basis, are free of charge and not reservable. In Summer, visitors to the White Mountains pan for gold, fish, hike and camp under Alaska's midnight sun. The Nome Creek Road provides access to two campgrounds, trails, a gold-panning area and a departure point for float trips on Beaver Creek Wild and Scenic River. Learn more about current trail conditions or call the Fairbanks District Office at (907) 474-2200. For a winter trails condition report, go to the Trail Update__

          Nearby Attractions

          The cabins are surrounded by vast amounts of land you can venture on to and view the scenery around the area.

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          • Fires
          • Reservable
          • Cabins

          $42 / night

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        Showing results 1-5 of 5 campgrounds

        Recent Cabin Reviews in Ester

        8 Reviews of 5 Ester Campgrounds


        • Andrew V.
          Camper-submitted photo from Harding Lake State Recreation Area
          May. 23, 2023

          Harding Lake State Recreation Area

          Fantastic and Clean Campground, Great for Kids

          Harding Lake State Recreation Area is a shady and scenic site about twenty minutes from North Pole. The lesser-known and elder cousin of the many water-themed state recreation areas that trace the Richardson Highway from Fairbanks to Delta Junction.

          This large and accommodating campground boasts a boat launch into Harding Lake, a baseball field, a large group recreation area near the water, a self-guided nature trail, a trailer dump site, and unpotable bulk water--along with various bathrooms with trash receptacles. 

          Our family of 5 tent camped in May and had a fantastic weekend. The sandlot-reminiscent baseball field was a rare and magical find that suited our family's wiffleball addiction perfectly. It's like wandering through a moss grove and emerging into a boreal. baseball field. A subarctic Field of Dreams. I also hit two first-pitch homeruns off my 9 and 5 year old--which may or not be related to the magic of this field--but I choose to believe.

          The spacious and thoughtfully-designed campground certainly feels beyond its prime--old, unserviceable water pumps (perhaps not yet operable for the season); aspen saplings dotting the baseball infield; and many downed spruces over the nature trail. The posted maps are a little outdated. However, the campground boasted some of the cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen, anywhere-with a very friendly on-site host who came by to chat and kept the facilities in pristine condition.  The camping spots are well-placed along the loop to allow for varying degrees of privacy between sites.

          Mosquitoes are everywhere in springtime Alaska--please let me know when you find a campground in a birch forest without them. That said, bring all the bug repellant and preventative measures you can muster. I was swarmed by a biblical cloud of man-eating Culicidae when we first pulled in--but they soon dispersed and only became annoying for intermittent periods. 

          Overall this was a magnificent campground, quiet and clean, with plenty for the kids to do. Fantastic and memorable experience.

        • Samantha M.
          Camper-submitted photo from Harding Lake State Recreation Area
          Jun. 15, 2020

          Harding Lake State Recreation Area

          Mosquitoville

          This was a nice campground with a friendly couple hosting. The spaces were spaced out with privacy trees. I think we scored one of the best spots number 11. The mosquitoes were unbearable outside and in 73 degree weather you needed to be completely covered. The water was so high that the only water play area was the boat launch area. The kids still had a great time but I would check the water level before coming back. There is a dump station, water, and plenty of bathrooms throughout the campground. It is a party campground for water activities so expect noise well after 2am. There are no electric hookups. The closest store is about 10 minutes down the road and has your basic essentials. There are other lakes to visit within an hour radius which makes this a fun location. There is a baseball/soccer field on site which was a lot of fun for the children to run off so energy and it wasn’t very buggy. The water pump was turned off due to Covid19. There’s a water toys rental by the boat launch that offers paddle boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards $25/2 hours or $35 for all day. They are only open Friday-Sunday or by appointment.

        • Samantha M.
          Camper-submitted photo from Harding Lake State Recreation Area
          Jul. 22, 2018

          Harding Lake State Recreation Area

          Swim area

          This was a campground with a fun water area for the children. There was a boat launch and water that we could walk very far out in with the children. There were about 70-80 site options, nice walking/bike trails, picnic areas, fire rings, water play area. It felt like there were plenty of camping options with privacy. There were plenty of opportunities to view wildlife as moose came running through our campsite. There was a field through the woods that people were playing softball in late which was fun to watch. I feel like this was a pretty basic campground but the children loved getting into the water.


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        Guide to Ester

        Cabin camping near Ester, Alaska offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the comforts of home. With stunning landscapes and a variety of activities, it's an ideal getaway for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

        Some prices for cabin camping range from $25 to $35

        Explore the nearby Kenai Fjords National Park

        Cabin campers appreciate these amenities

        • Families will enjoy the spacious and clean facilities at Harding Lake State Recreation Area, which features a boat launch, picnic areas, and well-maintained bathrooms, making it a highly rated choice for cabin camping.

        Frequently Asked Questions

        • Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Ester, AK?

          According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Ester, AK is Wickersham Creek Trail Shelter with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

        • What is the best site to find cabin camping near Ester, AK?

          TheDyrt.com has all 5 cabin camping locations near Ester, AK, with real photos and reviews from campers.