R
Romelo R.
Scout
ScoutPybus Bay Cabin
Great overnight rest spot (car camping)
Stayed for overnight car camping as a alternative to a truckstop, or Walmart.
Great view cool wildlife the temperature was really good for being the end of June!
Cabin Camping near Tenakee Springs, AK
16 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Rustic cabin rentals near Tenakee Springs provide wilderness accommodations with varying levels of amenities, ranging from tiny log cabins to spacious family-sized layouts suited for cabin camping in remote Southeast Alaska. The Kennel Creek Cabin offers a reservable cabin with fires allowed and pet-friendly policies, while the Moser Island Cabin provides similar features in a more secluded setting. Most cabins have limited amenities with no drinking water, electrical hookups, or standard bathroom facilities. "This is a very secluded cabin, accessible by boat or float plane and only a few miles from Sitka, AK. Located on the inside waters so it typically is very calm," according to one visitor. Kathleen Lake Cabin and Eight Fathom Cabin both permit pets and outdoor fires, making them suitable for visitors wanting a more traditional cabin experience.
Most cabins require advance reservations through the Forest Service, with many managed by the Sitka or Hoonah Ranger Districts. Peak booking times typically fall between May and September when access is easiest. While Mendenhall Lake Campground operates from May 15 to September 13, most other cabin sites have year-round availability depending on weather conditions. A camper mentioned, "There is one mooring buoy to tie up to so bring a raft to get to shore," highlighting the boat-in access required for many cabins.
Most furnished cabins include basic sleeping platforms or bunks but require visitors to bring their own bedding, cooking equipment, and other essentials. As one review noted, "Bring all your own camping gear. There is also a little wood stove inside the cabin to help warm it up at night." The cabins typically feature wood stoves for heating but lack electricity, running water, and modern kitchen facilities. Bear-proof food storage is essential at most locations, and visitors should plan to pack in all supplies. Some cabins offer pre-cut firewood, though bringing an axe for additional wood gathering is recommended. Potable water is not available at most cabin sites, requiring guests to bring their own or have water treatment methods.
Best Cabin Campgrounds near Tenakee Springs (42)
1. Kennel Creek Cabin (AK)
1 Site AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $70 / night
2. Moser Island Cabin
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $55 / night
3. Kook Lake Cabin
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $50 / night
4. Mendenhall Lake Campground
"Easy access to epic beauty from the airport."
"Excellent location on lake offering a spectacular view. Nice campground, cozy and only offers less than 70 sites. Full hookups are available at some."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $36 / night
5. Sitkoh Lake (east) Cabin
1 Site AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $50 / night
6. Sitkoh Lake (west) Cabin
1 Site AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $50 / night
7. Kathleen Lake Cabin
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 / night
8. Florence Lake (east) Cabin
1 Site AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $35 / night
9. Appleton Cove Cabin
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $50 / night
10. Eight Fathom Cabin
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $70 / night
Recent Cabin Photos near Tenakee Springs, AK
11 Photos of 42 Tenakee Springs Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Cabin Reviews near Tenakee Springs, AK
33 Reviews of 42 Tenakee Springs Campgrounds
Angie G.
RangerMendenhall Lake Campground
Glacier View in the Tongass
After being unable to find good reviews of campsites here, I took what I could find and gambled on a site. We were in tent site 021. It was a gorgeous site, had a large picnic table, bear box, water spigot between us and the site next to us, fire pit, clean pit toilets and a clean bath house. This campground has backpacker sites, RV sites, and car sites as well. We had a short walk through the moss on a trail that led down to Mendenhall Lake. It had a gorgeous view of the glacier. We enjoyed listening to all the birds and it was a pretty quiet campground.
There are a few sites close to boggy areas and they can be mushy and muddy, especially after a rain. There is a map on the reservation website where you can kind of see it. Our site was fabulous.
The trails are not far from the campground, so they are walkable.
Melissa W.
LegendMendenhall Lake Campground
Great location, nice sites
Tent camping review. This was a great camp ground. Very clean and quiet. You can't beat the proximity to the park and hiking. Some of the sites even have great views. Each site has plenty of privacy, so even with intermixed RV's it stays pretty quiet. The showers were okay, not the cleanest and not the hottest but got the job done. My only complaint was coming after dark the first night to someone clearly squatting with their RV in our site. The camp hosts do not mark each site with the booked reservations (even though the posts clearly say that the section we were in were "reservation only". So people just drop in and take sites, assuming they aren't reserved. We attempted to solicit the camphosts help but in the 4 nights we stayed there, we never saw the hosts available once. We asked the people to move the next morning in daylight- not wanting to start anything or end up shot by knocking on their door and asking them to move that first night. However, that meant that we set up in someone else's potentially reserved site and started a huge domino effect. So I recommend getting there early to make sure your reserved spot isn't taken.
Shari G.LegendMendenhall Lake Campground
Big Surprise!
We’ve been full-time camping in our vintage camper for over10 years, and in that time we’ve taken some “camping trips” without our rig, Hamlet. This time we hopped on the ferry from Haines down to Juneau and pulled out the tent for a few days in this amazing campground. We were just looking for the least expensive place that was close to the ferry terminal in Auke Bay, but struck gold in the hills just above. This might be one of the best traditional campgrounds we've ever stayed in with some of the most stunning views in our "backyard."
The campground is laid out along the southern bank of Mendenhall Lake, and offers drinking water, flush, and vault toilets and hot showers -- at no extra charge. Did I mention that camping here will only set you back $10 per night? We cannot remember such an inexpensive camping experience that offered showers. These $10 sites don’t offer electrical hookups, so bring your solar panels and solar generator or power bank and you’ll be all set.
The western trailhead is a short walk from the campground, but the Mendenhall Visitor's Center on the east side of the lake is just a few miles away. There are many trails, photographic viewpoints and opportunities to paddle on this side of the lake, but parking is competitive because it is such a popular area- including with the busses from the cruise ships docked in town. So, get there early. We enjoyed paddling on the lake where we got great views of the glacier and Nugget Falls, but keep your distance from icebergs. We watched one crack and roll not too far from where we were paddling, had we been closer I might not be writing this review.
The Mendenhall Valley has all the amenities you could expect from the Juneau suburbs, grocery stores, malls and restaurants. Downtown has a few more options as well as Douglas Island, just across the bridge.
Bradee A.RangerPeterson lake campground
Beautiful views
4 spots with picnic tables and fire pits. Clean bathrooms and big trash cans that got emptied while we were there for 4 nights. Low GCI service. Water spout that didn’t work for us. Beautiful central location for the Kenai peninsula. Highly recommend.
- JJenna E.Scout
Mendenhall Lake Campground
Fantastic
Stayed here two nights - reservations must be made in advance on recreation.gov. Hot showers available, as well as a stocked bathroom. 12/10 recommend.
Aubrey G.
GuideMendenhall Lake Campground
In the woods camping, in the "city"
So lucky to have found this campground. The price cannot be beat starting at $10. Although you are aware of others around you, there is enough forest between most campsites so you get the real roughing it kind of feel without actually hiking out. We got a great site, walk down to the water's edge and see the glacier smack right in your face. Amazing! There is a river further in, so choose your site wisely if camping with kids, pets or partiers! We didn't see a bear, but we did see the beaver! They have a bear cache at every site, so amazing for the price. Highly recommended. It's a 1 way loop so don't make the same mistake I did and go the wrong way! The hosts are very nice and chatty. The troopers do drive through from time to time but never bothered us.
- Jacquline M.Scout
Mendenhall Lake Campground
I love this place just not the forest service officers so much...
I stay here every summer with my s.o. and our pets and absolutely LOVE it here. The f.s officers could use some grooming but mostly they are okay as long as you are polite and follow the rules they usually leave you alone. They are helpful but tend to not want to listen when you try and explain a situation, any how other then that the camp grounds are usually always clean and I've never had a problem finding my site. And if I've ever needed a food bear box or anything I've always gotten it asap. Overall pretty awesome place to just kick back enjoy the view and relax the day away.
Phinneaus B.GuideStarrigavan Campsites
Best campground in Sitka
This is our hometown campground and we love it. It’s just a few miles from town, and within walking distance from the ferry terminal. Cell service is limited, so you can feel like you’re away from it all but still go in to work in the morning, or pick up some extra supplies.
Our favorite sites are the three “walk in” sites on the ocean side. We love to have birthday parties with a couple other families out there. The walk isn’t far at all, but the bathroom is just a bit further.
Our next favorite sites are the hike-in sites in the estuary side. These are a bit longer walk, but there’s a great little shared shelter with picnic tables, and the sites are so pretty and rustic feeling. There’s lots of trees but plenty of level sites, and they aren’t used much. Only bummer is that a new road is being built just behind this area, it’s hard to tell how disruptive that will be.
Regular drive in sites are fine, there are a couple pull-through but most are pull-in. Each site has a fire ring and a picnic table, and they’re all pretty good and a short walk to water and pit toilets. There are also a couple of group sites with shelters that are great for bad weather camping.
The campground is within walking distance of several nice, short trails, Old Sitka historical site & boat launch, and the shooting range and ATV trails. It’s pretty quiet and there is lots of wildlife- you have to keep your food abc other smelly things locked in your car or in the bear proof food lockers. You’ll definitely see bald eagles, and please don’t feed the ravens. Pink salmon run up the creek in August, you can catch them at the mouth.
Check out my other review to learn about the cabin that’s in the same campground!
Guide to Tenakee Springs
Forest Service cabins near Tenakee Springs, Alaska offer remote wilderness accommodations throughout Tongass National Forest. These rustic structures require significant advance planning, with many accessible only by boat or floatplane. Winter visitors face additional challenges including snow accumulation on cabin roofs and frozen lakes that may prevent float plane landings.
What to do
Explore Mendenhall Glacier trails: Mendenhall Lake Campground provides direct access to multiple hiking options with varying difficulty levels. "Half way up nugget falls trails there are a few cut through's to the lake where you can find nice private beaches," notes visitor Fain H. The East Glacier Trail offers more seclusion than the heavily trafficked Photo Point and Nugget Falls trails.
Kayak wilderness waters: Visitors staying at Mendenhall Lake Campground can bring or rent kayaks to explore the lake and get closer views of the glacier. "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," advises Josiah P.
Wildlife observation: Forest Service cabins provide opportunities for wildlife viewing, though proper precautions are necessary. At Moser Island Cabin, visitors should "be on the lookout for bears, there was multiple signs of them so don't leave anything outside," according to Billy B. Mendenhall Lake area also offers opportunities to spot mountain goats, eagles, and salmon depending on the season.
What campers like
Seclusion from cruise ship crowds: The Tongass National Forest cabins provide alternatives to busier tourist areas. "Mendenhall Campground is right on Mendenhall Lake and keeps you away from the crowds that come into the ranger station and visitor center. Best way to avoid the cruise ship crowds is to go early or late," advises Fain H.
Fishing opportunities: Several cabins offer excellent access to fishing. Near Moser Island Cabin, "there is great crabbing across the bay and decent shrimping within a 10 minute boat ride," according to Billy B. Many cabins are strategically placed near productive fishing locations throughout the Tongass.
Glacier views: The campgrounds near Juneau provide spectacular glacier viewing opportunities. "It was a wonderful campground! Right on the lake overlooking the Mendenhall Glacier," writes Angie W. about Mendenhall Lake Campground, adding "The campground itself is located near tons of hiking trails, kayaking/rafting opportunities, and the Glacier viewing center is nearby."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Advance planning is essential for cabin stays. For Mendenhall Lake Campground, "you must reserve a spot online in advance & spots tend to fill up quickly in July & August," notes Josiah P. Most Forest Service cabins require booking through Recreation.gov, often months ahead for peak summer periods.
Transportation logistics: Many cabins require boat or floatplane access with specific landing requirements. Billy B. reports that Moser Island Cabin "takes little under 2 hours by boat" from Sitka, and advises "There is one mooring buoy to tie up to so bring a raft to get to shore."
Limited amenities: Forest cabins have minimal facilities. "The campsite has flush toilets and a shower house, as well as some covered shelters," reports Lindsay B. about Mendenhall Lake Campground, but most remote cabins lack these amenities. Billy B. advises cabin visitors to "Bring all your own camping gear" and notes that "There is also a little wood stove inside the cabin to help warm it up at night."
Tips for camping with families
Bear safety education: Teaching children proper bear safety is essential when staying at Tongass cabins. "Great place for the family, bears do frequent the area so keep site clean," advises James L. about Mendenhall Lake Campground.
Insect management: Mosquitoes and other biting insects can affect comfort levels, especially for children. "The bugs are manageable," notes Angie W. about Mendenhall Lake Campground, suggesting that standard insect repellents are typically sufficient.
Water transportation: For boat-access cabins, ensure children have appropriate flotation devices. The Moser Island Cabin requires "a raft to get to shore" from the mooring buoy, according to Billy B., so families need to plan accordingly for safe shore access.
Tips for RVers
Limited RV facilities: Few cabins accommodate RVs, with Mendenhall Lake Campground being one exception. "I don't think there were any RVs, not sure if it was an off week or the road here is too much," notes Justin S. about Mendenhall Lake Campground, suggesting access may be challenging even where technically allowed.
Site selection strategy: When RV camping is possible, waterfront sites offer the best experience. "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," reports Justin S. about Mendenhall Lake Campground.
Utility considerations: Even at developed campgrounds, hookups may be limited. While Mendenhall Lake Campground lists water and electric hookups as available, RVers should confirm specific site amenities when booking, as many Alaska campgrounds have restricted services.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Tenakee Springs, AK?
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Tenakee Springs, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Tenakee Springs, AK is Kennel Creek Cabin (AK) with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.
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cabin camping near
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