Best Cabin Camping near Gustavus, AK

I've stayed at this cabin twice and absolutely love going here. It is perfect place to camp with the family or make it a boys trip. Easiest way to get to the cabin is from Sitka, takes little under 2 hours by boat. Near the cabin, there is great crabbing across the bay and decent shrimping within a 10 minute boat ride. There is one mooring buoy to tie up to so bring a raft to get to shore. Outside the cabin, there is a couple benches around the fire pit and a rope swing. There is some pre-cut wood alongside the cabin, otherwise you can always scavenge for more wood. I would bring an ax. There is also a tire swing next to the fire pit. Inside the cabin, it is small but easily slept all of us (5 guys). Bring all your own camping gear. There is also a little wood stove inside the cabin to help warm it up at night. Only warning, be on the lookout for bears, there was multiple signs of them so don't leave anything outside

This cabin is at the end of the road going North of Juneau. The cabin is not furnished with mattresses & sleeps a max of 8 for a max of 3 nights. Summer access by foot or boat (can haul onto a rocky beach). The foot trail begins at Point Bridget State Park Trailhead parking area at Mile 39 Glacier Highway. The trail is 3.4 miles to the cabin. Winter access**:** the same trail is open in the winter. Visitors can ski or snowshoe in, but no ATV's or other motorized vehicles are allowed. Primary heat at the cabin is kerosene with an emergency woodstove.

This is a very nice campground set back from Mendenhall lake and the famous Mendenhall Glacier.  Bears frequent this area and sometimes wolves too.  If you are looking for that wild Alaska experience you can have it here.  Lots of hiking around there.  Once that salmon start running you can walk on the man made walkway next to the creek and watch bears catch salmon to feed their cubs!  Truly an amazing experience!  If you make it there during the winter bring your cross country skis and ski through the campground, or across the lake to the glacier.

St. James State Marine Park is located approximately 35 miles northwest of Juneau and 45 miles south of Haines. The park encompasses St. James Bay, Boat harbor, and continues north up the valley which drains the area. The area has abundant protected anchorages, concentrations of fish and wildlife, and beach landing areas.

The average temperatures in the summer are in the 60's, rare highs hitting 80, which I was blessed to experience. Have warm clothing and quality rain gear, as inclement weather can set in quickly and last for days. Snow can begin to accumulate as early as October.

The recreational use of St. James Bay is extremely high. The bay, easily accessed by small boat from the Amalga Harbor boat launch, Auke Bay, or Juneau, is a popular area for wildlife viewing, photography, waterfowl and big game hunting, sport fishing, boating, kayaking, and camping.