Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Tongass National Forest, AK is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Tongass National Forest. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Tongass National Forest camping trip.
The Portage Bay Cabin is located on the eastern shore of Portage Bay on Kupreanof Island, due east of Stop Island. It provides access to scenic views as well as a variety of recreational opportunities. Visitors to the area enjoy fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing. It is accessible by boat or float plane only. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
There is excellent halibut fishing in the mouth of Portage Bay. Coho, pink salmon, steelhead and trout fishing are available in the nearby Portage Creek. Hunting for black bears, waterfowl and grouse is also available as per state or federal hunting regulations; click here for more information from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The primitive Portage Mountain Loop Trail connects the cabin with Petersburg Lake Cabin and Salt Chuck East Cabin through Goose Cove, south of the bay. The trail is especially primitive over to Petersburg Lake and is seldom used due to the level of difficulty. Sections of the trail are flooded by beaver ponds.
The single-level, hunter-style cabin has four single wooden bunks and can accommodate up to six people. It is equipped with a table, benches and a clean-burning oil heater. An outhouse with a pit toilet is provided. Water for drinking, cooking and cleaning is not provided at the cabin. The nearest water source is a small creek 100 feet south of the cabin. Water taken from any outdoor source should be treated or boiled before consumption. Guests are encouraged to bring drinking water if possible. Guests will need to bring their own sleeping bags and pads, cook stove and cooking gear, towels, food, clothing, fire starter and garbage bags, among other necessities. Guests are advised to bring enough kerosene or No. 1 heating oil for the oil heater. It burns at a rate of approximately one gallon per day. Oil is not supplied at the cabin. Click here for more cabin details and maps.
The cabin was originally built as an administrative site for Forest Service timber layout crews, but was converted to a recreation cabin in 1987. It sits back from the rocky eastern shore of Portage Bay in southeastern Alaska. The surrounding terrain is hilly along the east and flat and rolling south and west of the bay. Portage Mountain rises 3,577 feet in the background.
$25 - $40 / night
The West Point Cabin is located near the mouth of Portage Bay on Kupreanof Island. It provides a tranquil place to stay amid very scenic surroundings. The cabin also offers access to a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, fishing and boating, as well as whale-watching at Fredrick Sound. The cabin is accessible by boat or float plane only.
The area surrounding the cabin offers various points of exploration and the beach has excellent hiking opportunities. Visitors enjoy fishing and boating. Anglers might catch king salmon in May and June, coho in August through September and halibut in Fredrick Sound. The waters of Frederick Sound and Stephen___s Passage are primary feeding grounds for migratory humpback whales and provide excellent whale watching opportunities; click here for more information. Hunting is available as per state or federal hunting regulations; click here for more information from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
The cabin, wooden access walkway and outhouse are all designed to meet accessibility standards. It has wooden bunks and a sleeping loft to accommodate up to seven people. It has a table, benches, a cooking counter, wood stove and a large deck. Firewood is supplied, but not guaranteed. A wheelchair ramp is located on the beach. Water for drinking, cooking and cleaning is not provided at the cabin. The nearest water source is a small creek about a half-mile west of the cabin. Water taken from any outdoor source should be treated or boiled before consumption. Because of the long distance to the creek, guests are encouraged to bring drinking water if possible. Guests will need to bring their own sleeping bags and pads, flashlights and lanterns, cook stove and cooking gear, towels, food and clothing, toilet paper, fire starter and garbage bags, among other necessities. A broom, dust pan, axe and splitting maul are generally available, but may be missing or damaged. Please report missing or damaged items to the Petersburg Ranger District. The cabin needs to be cleaned prior to leaving and all garbage and food must be carried out. Click here for more cabin details and maps.
The cabin is a barrier-free, modified A-frame structure built in 1994. It is situated west of West Point, just around the point from Fredrick Sound. The cabin overlooks Portage Bay. The surrounding terrain is flat with mixed spruce and hemlock forest. Large expanses of gravel beach are excellent for beach hiking. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area, including black bears, deer, waterfowl and whales in Fredrick Sound. Click here to learn about bear safety.
$35 - $50 / night
The Salt Chuck East Cabin is located on Kupreanof Island on the east side of the Duncan Salt Chuck. It provides access to a variety of recreational opportunities, including fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing. The cabin is accessible by boat or float plane only. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
The Portage Mountain Loop Trail is a primitive trail leading from the cabin to Portage Bay (Goose Cove) and Petersburg Lake. The trail is especially primitive and hard to follow between Goose Cove and Petersburg Lake, which is why few people hike that section of the trail. Fishing opportunities abound and anglers will find abundant steelhead in April and May, coho salmon in August and September and trout from June to September. A rowboat and oars are available at the cabin, however life jackets are not provided and visitors must bring their own. Guests may also choose to bring a small outboard motor. Hunting is available as per state or federal hunting regulations; click here for more information from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
The modified A-frame cabin has two wooden bunks and a sleeping loft that can accommodate up to seven people. It is equipped with a table, benches and a clean-burning oil heater. An outhouse with a pit toilet is provided. Water for drinking, cooking and cleaning is not provided at the cabin. The nearest water source is a small creek near the cabin. Water taken from any outdoor source should be treated or boiled before consumption. Guests are encouraged to bring drinking water if possible. Guests will need to bring their own sleeping bags and pads, cook stove and cooking gear, towels, food and clothing, fire starter and garbage bags, among other necessities. Guests are advised to bring enough kerosene or No. 1 heating oil for the oil heater. It burns at a rate of approximately one gallon per day. Oil is not supplied at the cabin. A broom, dust pan, axe and splitting maul are generally available, but may be missing or damaged. Please report missing or damaged items to the Petersburg Ranger District. The cabin needs to be cleaned prior to leaving and all garbage and food must be carried out. Click here for more cabin details and maps.
The cabin sits within the Petersburg Creek-Duncan Salt Chuck Wilderness, overlooking a large expanse of saltwater grass flats. The terrain behind the cabin is old growth spruce and hemlock forest. A variety of wildlife can be seen in the area, including waterfowl, grouse, deer and black bears (learn about bear safety).
$25 - $40 / night
THIS IS NOT THE PETERSON LAKE CABIN NEAR JUNEAU. Petersburg Lake Cabin offers a tranquil place to stay on the shores of a Wilderness lake in southeastern Alaska. It provides access to outstanding fishing opportunities, as well as hunting and wildlife viewing. This trail is in the process of being maintained, it is difficult to find at times and has many natural features such as large sections of beaver ponds and downed trees to navigate. If you intend on hiking in to this cabin please come prepared with map, compass, GPS and please know your route or discuss trail with Petersburg Ranger District prior to departure. The cabin is accessible by float plane or by a boat-trail combination, dependent on tides. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety and must bring several of their own amenities.
The nearby creek offers outstanding steelhead, coho and sockeye fishing, while the lake boasts cutthroat trout and sockeye salmon. A rowboat and oars is available at the cabin, however, life jackets are not provided and guests should bring their own. Guests may also choose to bring a small outboard motor. Attention Hikers: Petersburg Lake Trail is in very poor condition. The middle section of the trail, around mile marker 4 to 9.5, is very muddy, wet and not well marked. If you plan on hiking that part of the trail make sure and bring a map and compass and know how to use those tools. Rubber boots with non-slip soles are recommended. Portions of the trail have rotting and broken boards to beware of. We recommend avoiding this section of the trail if possible. Hiking and hunting are popular activities. Hunting is available as per state or federal hunting regulations; click here for more information from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
This pan-abode style cabin was constructed in 2003. It has two bunk beds with double space below and single above. The cabin is equipped with a table and benches and a wood stove for heat. Firewood is provided, but not guaranteed. An outhouse with a pit toilet is provided. The only fresh water available is from the lake, creek or melted snow. Water taken from any outdoor source should be treated or boiled before consumption. Guests are encouraged to bring their own drinking water if possible. Guests will need to bring their own sleeping bags and pads, lanterns and flashlights, cook stove and cooking gear, towels, food, clothing, fire starter and garbage bags, among other necessities. The cabin will need to be cleaned prior to leaving and all garbage and food needs to be carried out. Click here for more cabin details and maps.
The cabin is located on Kupreanof Island, 9 miles northwest of Petersburg, in the Petersburg Creek-Duncan Salt Chuck Wilderness. The Petersburg Creek Valley is a glacial valley with a broad, flat bottom and steep sides. The area surrounding the lake and creek is flat; otherwise the terrain is steep. The setting is pristine, old-growth spruce and hemlock forest with scattered muskeg. The area abounds with wildlife and wildflowers. The creek and lake are a haven for black bears and eagles, who feed on the spawning salmon there (learn about bear safety).
$25 - $45 / night
Towers Arm Cabin is one of the Petersburg Ranger District's most remote cabins. A large tidal flat in front of the cabin provides excellent waterfowl viewing and hunting opportunities. Visitors also enjoy the area for its fishing and wildlife viewing. The cabin is accessible by boat or float plane only.
The location offers fishing in Towers Creek. Coho salmon is available from August through September, as well as steelhead trout in April through May. Hunting for bears, deer, a variety of waterfowl and grouse is also popular in the area, as per state or federal hunting regulations; click here for more information from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
The hunter-style cabin has four single, wooden bunks to accommodate up to four people. It is equipped with a table, benches and a wood stove that is used to heat the cabin. The stove can also be used for cooking purposes. An outhouse with a pit toilet is provided. Water for drinking, cooking and cleaning is not provided at the cabin. Fresh water available from a small stream located north of the cabin should be treated or boiled before consumption. Guests are encouraged to bring their own drinking water if possible. Guests will need to bring their own sleeping bags and pads, cook stove and cooking gear, towels, food and clothing, fire starter and garbage bags, among other necessities. Firewood is generally provided, but not guaranteed. A broom, dust pan, axe and splitting maul are also typically available provided, but may be missing or damaged. Please report missing or damaged items to the Petersburg Ranger District. Click here for more cabin details and maps.
The cabin is located on Kupreanof Island, at the mouth of Towers Creek on the west side of Towers Arm in Duncan Canal. Terrain surrounding the cabin is fairly flat, with hills at the rear and a vast tidal flat and the water's edge to the front. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area, including abundant waterfowl from September through November and shorebirds in early May. The region is also home to grouse, deer, wolves and black bears.
$25 - $40 / night
Big John Bay Cabin is located at the north end of Big John Bay in Rocky Pass (Keku Strait) on Kupreanof Island. It provides access to great recreational activities and spectacular scenery in southeastern Alaska. Visitors enjoy fishing, hiking, hunting and viewing wildlife. The cabin can be accessed by boat or trail from the town of Kake, or by float plane from Petersburg. Tides can impact access, requiring up to a mile hike from the boat at low tide. The trail can be affected at high tide. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
The cabin provides access to good waterfowl hunting opportunities. Hunting is available as per state or federal hunting regulations; click here for more information from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Fishing in the Hamilton and Big John Creeks are activities that are also enjoyed by visitors to the area. Trout, as well as pink and coho salmon, can be found there. The Big John Bay Trail can be difficult to follow, but provides access to the cabin from the community of Kake. There is no trail access during high tide (local tide tables). The route follows tide flats and then parallels a small creek until reaching the logging road. Additional hikes in the area include the Hamilton Bay, Goose Lake and Cathedral Falls Trails.
The hunter-style cabin has bunks to sleep up to four people. It is equipped with a table, benches and an oil stove for heat. An outhouse with a pit toilet is provided. Water for drinking, cooking and cleaning is not provided at the cabin. Water taken from the nearby stream should be treated or boiled before consumption. Guests are encouraged to bring their own drinking water if possible. Heating oil is not supplied at the cabin, so visitors must bring enough kerosene or No. 1 heating oil for the oil heater. One gallon lasts about one day. Visitors also need to bring their own sleeping bags and pads, cook stove and cooking gear, towels, food, clothing, fire starter and garbage bags, among other necessities. All trash and food must be packed out, and visitors are expected to clean the cabin before leaving. Click here for more cabin details and maps.
The cabin is located on a tidal flat which becomes an islet at high tide, and sits on a small wooded point that faces a large expanse of tidal grass and saltwater flats. A small stream a quarter-mile north of the cabin is the nearest water source. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area, including waterfowl, grouse and black bears (learn about bear safety).
$25 - $40 / night
The Spurt Cove Cabin is located on the mainland, in a small cove on the north side of Thomas Bay. It makes a good base camp for exploring Thomas Bay, a favorite destination among boaters and kayakers. The cabin provides its own scenic views and also provides access to a variety of recreational activities. The cabin is accessible by boat or float plane only.
Halibut and king salmon fishing is available in the bay, while anglers may find trout in the beaver ponds behind the cabin. Orca whales and porpoises can also often be seen in the area. A moderately difficult 1.1-mile trail to Spurt Lake starts a quarter-mile northeast of the cabin. The trail is marked by red and white diamond stakes. A boat is necessary to access the trailhead. The Thomas Bay area offers numerous options for single and multiple-day trips to Baird, Muddy and Patterson glaciers, Scenery Cove and the Cosmos Mountain Range. Kayaking is popular in the protected waters of Thomas Bay.
The hunter-style cabin has two wooden bunks that can accommodate up to four people. It is equipped with a table, benches, a clean-burning oil heater for heat and a wood stove that can be used for cooking purposes. An outhouse with a pit toilet is provided. Water for drinking, cooking and cleaning is not provided at the cabin. The nearest water source is a small stream near the cabin. Water taken from any outdoor source should be treated or boiled before consumption. Guests are encouraged to bring drinking water if possible. Guests will need to bring their own sleeping bags and pads, cook stove and cooking gear, towels, food and clothing, fire starter and garbage bags, among other necessities. Guests are advised to bring enough kerosene or No. 1 heating oil for the oil heater. It burns at a rate of approximately one gallon per day. Oil is not supplied at the cabin. A broom, dust pan, axe and splitting maul are generally available, but may be missing or damaged. Please report missing or damaged items to the Petersburg Ranger District. The cabin needs to be cleaned prior to leaving and all garbage and food must be carried out. Click here for more cabin details and maps.
The cabin is located in southeastern Alaska's Tongass National Forest, which is the largest national forest in the United States. The terrain surrounding the cabin is predominantly gently sloping with some steep bluffs. Spurt Cove is known for its interesting rock formations.
$25 - $40 / night
The Ohmer Creek Campground is on a minimal maintenance schedule due to budget constraints. Please pack in/pack out your trash and use restroom facilities at neighboring Forest Service recreation areas if a waste containment system is not available on your camping unit. ACTIVITIES Camping: Occupancy of this Forest Service campground is by permit on site ($6 per night per party) from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Picnicking: Campground is available for day use picnicking in addition to overnight camping.
Church Bight Cabin offers guests recreation, relaxation and a unique wilderness lodging experience on the southeast side of Admiralty Island in the Tongass National Forest. The remote site offers a scenic setting for fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing, all within the vicinity of the cabin. Access to the cabin is float plane or boat. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Anglers will enjoy saltwater and freshwater fishing in the area. Fly fishing for Dolly Varden and rainbow trout is popular in nearby streams. Halibut and rockfish are found in further open waters. Wildlife viewing is abundant on land and in water. Gambier Bay is quite remote, yet a good place for bear and humpback whale sightings.
The primitive, log cabin ( A-frame style ) is furnished with wooden bunks, without mattresses, and a loft, and can accommodate up to seven people. The cabin is equipped with a table, benches, a wood stove for heat and an outside toilet. Firewood is generally provided in a wood shed at the salt water beach, but it is not guaranteed. Other amenities include cooking counters, an axe, splitting maul and a broom. The cabin does not have running water or electricity. Guests must bring their own food, water, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cook stove, matches, cooking gear/utensils, light source toilet paper, first aid kit and garbage bags. The water source from a nearby stream is intermittent. A boat is necessary to get water from other drainages, so it may be necessary for guests to bring a sufficient amount of water for drinking, cleaning and washing. Water from any natural site must be filtered, boiled or chemically treated before drinking. Click here for more cabin details.
The cabin sits on level ground, only a few steps from Church Bight, a small tidal saltwater cove within Gambier Bay. The shoreline is surrounded by a thick temperate rainforest of old-gowth spruce and hemlock trees, shrubs and grasses. Wildlife in the area abounds, including migratory waterfowl and shorebirds, Sitka black-tailed deer and brown bears (learn more about bear safety).
$35 - $45 / night
Pybus Cabin offers guests recreation, relaxation and a unique wilderness lodging experience on the southeast side of Admiralty Island in the Tongass National Forest. The remote site offers a scenic setting for fishing, boating and wildlife viewing, all within the vicinity of the cabin. Access to the cabin is float plane or boat. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety and must bring several of their own amenities.
Wildlife viewing is abundant on land and in water. Pybus Bay is quite remote, and a good place for humpback whale sightings. A game trail to Donkey Bay is accessible at high tide and seasonal commercial fishing activity is popular in Pybus Bay.
The cabin is a primitive, pre-cut cedar log cabin in A-frame style, furnished with wooden bunkbeds without mattresses and a loft that sleep up to seven guests. The cabin is equipped with a table, benches, an oil stove for heat and an outdoor toilet. The cabin does not have running water or electricity. Visitors must bring their own food, water, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cook stove, matches, cooking gear/utensils, light source, #1 stove oil, toilet paper, first aid kit and garbage bags. Water is available from a nearby stream. Water from any natural site must be filtered, boiled or chemically treated before drinking. Click here for more cabin details.
The cabin is about a half-mile north of Donkey Bay in a protected cove within Pybus Bay. The shoreline is surrounded by a thick temperate rainforest of old-growth spruce and hemlock trees, ferns, shrubs and grasses. The end of the bay has large tidal flats. Wildlife in the area abounds, including migratory waterfowl and shorebirds, Sitka black-tailed deer and brown bears.
$35 - $40 / night
