Forest Service cabins near Juneau provide wilderness accommodations for those seeking remote backcountry experiences. The cabins stretch across the Tongass National Forest with varying levels of accessibility from drive-up locations to those requiring significant hiking or boat access. Temperatures in the area range from 50-65°F in summer and can drop below freezing with substantial snowfall in winter months, affecting cabin accessibility.
What to do
Kayak to glacier views: At Mendenhall Lake Campground, visitors can explore the lake via kayak for close-up glacier views. "Explore the lake via kayak, hike the short park trails, explore the far side of the lake - this is a great spot just minutes from the Juneau Airport," notes Josiah P.
Avoid peak tourist hours: The Mendenhall area receives significant cruise ship traffic during summer. "Best way to avoid the cruise ship crowds is to go early or late. Photo point trail and Nugget Falls trail are a must and have the heaviest foot traffic from 10am to 2pm," advises Fain H. from Mendenhall Lake Campground.
Find secluded beach spots: Accessible beaches offer private relaxation spots away from visitor centers. "Half way up nugget falls trails there are a few cut through's to the lake where you can find nice private beaches," shares a camper at Mendenhall Lake Campground.
What campers like
Trail system diversity: The cabin areas connect to various trail networks with different difficulty levels. "There's way more seclusion on the East Glacier trail and the Trail of time which are both longer," reports a visitor at Mendenhall Lake.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Bear sightings are common throughout the Juneau cabin areas. "We had a black bear next to our campground eating grass one evening," reports James B. at Eagle Beach State Recreation Area.
USFS maintenance reliability: Cabins receive regular maintenance from Forest Service crews. "Working for the USFS- We spent a week at Peterson, redoing the floor, repairing cabinets, countertops, and the table. We fixed the gutter outside and repainted the propane tank," explains Mackenzie S. at Peterson Lake Cabin.
What you should know
Cabin reservation requirements: All Forest Service cabins require advance planning. "Before you go: you must reserve a spot online in advance & spots tend to fill up quickly in July & August," cautions a reviewer at Mendenhall Lake.
Bear safety precautions: Bears frequent cabin areas, necessitating proper food storage. "Great place for the family, bears do frequent the area so keep site clean," advises James L. at Mendenhall Lake Campground.
Limited cell service: Communications are unreliable at most cabin sites. "Absolutely no cell service. There are some sites not completely in the trees. We were able to get good solar and Starlink service," reports a camper at Eagle Beach State Recreation Area.
Water treatment needs: No potable water exists at most cabin sites. "There is water, with a boil direction to use," notes a visitor about facilities at Eagle Beach.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple accommodation options: Campgrounds offer varied site types for different needs. "There is a section for tent camping, RV camping, and backpack camping," notes Angie W. about Mendenhall Lake Campground.
Bathroom facilities: Some sites offer better amenities for families. "The bathrooms are clean and well interspersed. There are showers with hot water," shares a visitor at Mendenhall Lake Campground.
Site selection strategy: Waterfront sites provide optimal views but book quickly. "This campground is very well designed, almost all of the sites are along the water. Many have amazing views but all are within the trees," explains Justin S. about Mendenhall Lake.
Tips from RVers
Parking limitations: Many cabins have minimal vehicle accommodation. "This campground has one site with a picnic table and a fire ring. However you can camp anywhere that there is parking," explains Tanya B. about Peterson lake campground.
Road conditions: Access roads to cabin areas vary significantly. "Not sure if it was an off week or the road here is too much," notes a visitor about RV access at Mendenhall Lake.
Waste management: No dump stations exist at most cabin sites. "There is no trash service. No dump site," warns a camper at Eagle Beach, requiring visitors to pack out all waste.
