Best Cabin Camping near Whittier, AK

Cabins near Whittier provide rustic to modern accommodations with varying amenities based on location. Spencer Bench Cabin sits at 1,900 feet elevation with stunning views of the Placer River Valley and Spencer Glacier, while Alaska Marine Highway offers cabin options for travelers. Most cabins include wood stoves for heating, with some providing kerosene heaters. Bird Creek Campground features two public use cabins with built-in bunks and small kitchen areas. "The cabin has a small wood stove and wood supplied which was amazing! A little kitchen area is built in for your food prep pleasure - must bring stoves and water. No electricity so bring your choice of lighting," noted one visitor about the Bird Creek cabins.

Rustic forest service cabins dominate the region, with pet-friendly options available at several locations including Pigot Bay Cabin and Paulson Bay Cabin. Reservations are required for all cabin facilities, with many locations booking months in advance during summer. Access methods vary significantly - some cabins require boat access like Goose Bay Cabin, while others like Spencer Bench Cabin demand a challenging hike. "Spencer Bench Cabin is by far the best cabin I've stayed at in Alaska! It's a 3 mile hike up 1800-1900' of endless switchbacks but the views are amazing," shared one camper. Winter accessibility depends on location, with some cabins remaining open year-round.

Most cabins require visitors to bring their own bedding, cooking equipment, lighting, and food supplies. Basic furnishings typically include wooden bunks or platforms, tables, and benches. Cabins rarely provide running water or electricity, though some like Goose Bay Cabin offer drinking water access. Food storage containers are essential as bears frequent many cabin areas. A camper at Bird Creek noted, "Bathrooms are a small trek from the secluded wooded cabins," highlighting the rustic nature of facilities. Visitors should plan to pack out all trash and clean cabins before departure, as emphasized in multiple cabin logs and reviews.

Best Cabin Sites Near Whittier, Alaska (44)

    1. Alaska Marine Highway

    5 Reviews
    Whittier, AK
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (800) 642-0066

    "We took the Alaska Marine Highway from Whittier to Petersburg with stops in Yakutat and Juneau."

    "Camping on the deck was wonderful. You can pitch a tent on the deck, or sleep under the heated overhang."

    2. Spencer Bench Cabin

    3 Reviews
    Whittier, AK
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 783-3242

    $85 / night

    "This is by far the best cabin I've stayed at in Alaska! It's a 3 mile hike up 1800-1900' of endless switchbacks but the views are amazing. The cabin is relatively new, and super spacious."

    "Spencer Bench Cabin offers a stunning location at 1,900 feet elevation, providing breathtaking views of the Placer River Valley, Spencer Lake, and Spencer Glacier."

    3. Pigot Bay Cabin

    1 Review
    Whittier, AK
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 783-3242

    $50 / night

    "This cabin was great and wonderful to stay at not only are the prices reasonable but the cleanliness is hands down the best"

    4. Paulson Bay Cabin

    1 Review
    Whittier, AK
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 783-3242

    $75 / night

    "Great little spot by the water nice location and everything was clean and fresh loved it"

    5. Bird Creek Campground — Chugach State Park

    27 Reviews
    Indian, AK
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 269-8400

    "We rented a cabin 95$ a night and took aprox 12 young ladies in the chilly month of November! Daring, I know!"

    "Campsites are pretty spaced. You get a picnic table and a fire ring for 20 bucks a night. Yes, there is road noise but that does calm down at night. Pit toilets around, clean and stocked."

    6. Goose Bay Cabin

    1 Review
    Whittier, AK
    16 miles
    Website

    $75 / night

    "This location was definitely a great stay and loved the way everything looked for so long such a long time such a very long time"

    7. Shrode Lake Cabin

    1 Review
    Whittier, AK
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 783-3242

    $60 / night

    9. Eklutna Lake Campground — Chugach State Park

    40 Reviews
    Chugiak, AK
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 345-5014

    $5 - $100 / night

    "While there are pit toilets, bear lockers and water spigots, there's not much else besides a plot of land to put your tent, a fire ring and a picnic table. Which for me is plenty!"

    "You want water access on a glacial lake? How about numerous hiking, biking skiing and horse trails?"

    10. Harrison Lagoon Cabin

    1 Review
    Whittier, AK
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (907) 783-3242

    $50 / night

    "Great cabin to just get away from it all in the areas that need to be taken care of are just incredible thank you folks"

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Cabin Reviews near Whittier, AK

158 Reviews of 44 Whittier Campgrounds


  • Sierra  S.
    Jul. 9, 2018

    Alaska Marine Highway

    Mainland to the Island

    We took the Alaska Marine Highway from Whittier to Petersburg with stops in Yakutat and Juneau. Highly recommend getting a private room for overnight adventures but if you’re on a budget you can bring your tent and camp gear up to the solarium.

  • Aimee H.
    Jul. 27, 2017

    Bird Creek Campground — Chugach State Park

    Bird Creek Cabin AK

    Bird Creek camp/ RV/ Cabin site is a beautiful 25 minute journey south of Anchorage. Far enough away but close enough to town if you feel the need to get back to the city.

    We rented a cabin 95$ a night and took aprox 12 young ladies in the chilly month of November! Daring, I know! But state restrooms made sharing a bathroom easy :)

    there is a small wood stove and wood supplied for each cabin which was amazing! A lil kitchen area is built in for your food prep pleasure- must bring stoves and water. No electricity so bring your choice of lighting. Also I recommend headlamps for winter months as bathrooms are a small treck from the secluded wooded cabins.

    Bunks are built in and a loft makes for plenty of room.

    There was a beautiful table with a map in the top- pretty awesome!

    There is a walking trail and it's close to the inlet for beluga whale watching and if your lucky a bore tide!

    Rv sites and tents sites available as well- plus table and fire pits at each site.

  • Shadara W.
    Aug. 12, 2019

    Eagle River Campground — Chugach State Park

    Close to home camping

    Great spot close to our home of Anchorage for when we don't want to go too far. Large pavillion great for get-togethers right along the river and includes it's own bathroom. Semi-seclude sites give privacy with large open areas at your fire pits, great for groups. Some double sites perfect for camping with friends. Pet friendly just please keep the leashed and clean up after them. Watch for bear activity and make sure to keep all food and enticing items locked up.

  • T
    May. 16, 2019

    Eklutna Lake Campground — Chugach State Park

    No nonsense campground next to a beautiful lake and hiking trail.

    While there are pit toilets, bear lockers and water spigots, there's not much else besides a plot of land to put your tent, a fire ring and a picnic table. Which for me is plenty! If you get there at the right time, there are a few sites with a view of the lake thru the trees. Requires a very short hike to get lakeside but the view is worth it. With access to several hiking trails, including the beautiful Eklutna Lakeside trail, bike and kayak rentals across the parking lot, and multiple geocaches, you just can't go wrong.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 10, 2025

    Bird Creek Campground — Chugach State Park

    Great spot

    Campsites are pretty spaced. You get a picnic table and a fire ring for 20 bucks a night. Yes, there is road noise but that does calm down at night. Pit toilets around, clean and stocked. No water, so bring some. Cellphone signal (t mobile) and Internet pretty good. Nice bike trail close. They do also have cabins to rent

  • Elizabeth G.
    Mar. 30, 2022

    Bird Creek Campground — Chugach State Park

    First come, first serve

    This campground has 22 sites and 2 public use cabins. There’s bathrooms but no showers. Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table and there are trails within walking distance of your campsite.

    We stayed during the off season so we ended up in the camp host site accidentally since it was one of the few that wasn’t still covered in snow. You definitely get some noise from Highway traffic but it’s not terrible. There’s a gas station right across the street for fuel and maybe some other last minute supplies you may need?

  • M
    Nov. 7, 2019

    Coghill Lake Cabin

    Beautiful scenery, challenging coho fishing

    Coghill has an outstanding A-frame cabin and the view from the front porch is one of the best I have seen in visits to over 20 different USFS cabins in Alaska.  The view included 3,000-4,000 ft peaks covered with glaciers, and a beautiful lagoon right in front of the cabin. The flight there and back from Anchorage was incredible, we saw hundreds of glaciers, several massive ones. The area around Coghill is very swampy, and it was very buggy when we were there in the middle of Sept., all biting black flies, no mosquitos. 

    the trail that supposedly exists to the estuary is overgrown, criss-crossed with bear trails,  hard to find, and very brushy where you do find it. We wondered why nobody has placed any trail markers on the trail from the cabin to College Fiord? I realize the USFS does not have the resources to maintain or improve the trail, but if it was marked regular use would help maintain the trail somewhat. But it also seems like the vegetation grows so fast there that nature is doing its best to obliterate any trail, and the many bear trails make it hard to figure out which trail is which.

    When it rains the river downstream of the cabin is too large to cross, so you become very restricted in where you can fish downstream. We brought a 2.5 HP kicker motor, so we were able to explore all of the tribs that feed into the upper end of the the lake. 

    we were fishing for silvers and our group caught very few during a week.  The place is very well known for sockeye, but they run in July and we were there in Sept.  the lagoon in front of the cabin and lake had about 20 harbor seals that were on constant prowl for silvers. The harbor seals were also in the river down below the cabin. with so many seals it is hard to imagine that the silvers ever have a chance to stack up anywhere without being scattered.  The cabin log book mentions the seals being there more than 20 years back, so they just seem to be a feature of this lake/lagoon system.  

    The Coghill cabin was in excellent shape when we visited, and very clean thanks to the preceding group (the “Igloo Boys”). the area around the lake is incredibly beautiful!! the stove worked well but only has one heat setting (but that was not a problem).

    THE ROWBOAT IS MISSING AN OAR, and really needs a new set of oars and oar locks so that the remaining oar can serve as a back up. The Igloo Boys improvised a shovel as a replacement for the missing oar, but it is only a matter of time before somebody drops the oar/shovel to the bottom of the lake and then they will have to row their way back to the cabin with only a single oar.  If you visit this cabin make arrangements with the USFS to get a new set of oars, or bring your own.  Without oars you will be very limited in where you can get to at this cabin.

  • David F.
    Aug. 31, 2018

    Eklutna Lake Campground — Chugach State Park

    Epic Campground

    This campground really has everything when it comes to a state campground. You want water access on a glacial lake? How about numerous hiking, biking skiing and horse trails? Are you looking for updated amenities including a table and fire pit, onsite bathrooms, bear proof dumpster, bear proof food storage, and a well for fresh water (no showers though) and even kayak rentals on site? Do you need large campsites with a reasonable amount of privacy instead of setting up your tent on top of someone else's? Eklutna is the spot. It is technically located within the Municipality of Anchorage about 30 minutes from down town. There is no cell service out there, so you can say goodbye to the rest of the world on your way up the mountain road. In addition, there are forest service cabins for rent that are located down one of the major trails, for even more privacy, and a different kind of adventure. Just a mile from the campground is a cute little ice cream shop for a sweet treat on hot summer days.

  • Rachel  B.
    Jul. 23, 2017

    Bird Creek Campground — Chugach State Park

    Llamazing!

    Our campsite was Llamazing. Great space with fire pit and picnic table. Easy to reserve day of. We were able to easy walk down to the inlet for sunset. Gorgeous!


Guide to Whittier

Cabin accommodations near Whittier, Alaska range from waterfront options to alpine settings, with most accessible only through specific transportation methods. The region experiences heavy annual precipitation, averaging 197 inches of rainfall, creating lush surrounding forests. Cabins typically operate on a strict reservation system, with winter access limited by snow conditions and ferry schedules.

What to do

Hiking and wildlife viewing: Bird Creek Campground offers numerous trails within walking distance of campsites. "We spent most of our time hiking in and around the area. Many cool and unique hikes including one where you have to use a manual pulley thing to get across a huge river," shares a camper at Bird Creek Campground.

Ferry exploration: The Alaska Marine Highway system provides unique cabin accommodations while traveling. "I spent three nights on the ferry from Bellingham, WA, to Skagway, AK. Camping on the deck was wonderful. You can pitch a tent on the deck, or sleep under the heated overhang. You can also get a private cabin if you'd like," notes a visitor to Alaska Marine Highway.

Biking: Bring bicycles for trail access near many cabins. "Situated right along Bird Creek bike path this is a great place to stay if you love to ride your bike. Whale watching and fishing are also two things to help pass the time," explains a Bird Creek Campground visitor.

What campers like

Secluded waterfront locations: Cabins like Harrison Lagoon provide isolation. "Great cabin to just get away from it all in the areas that need to be taken care of are just incredible," mentions a guest at Harrison Lagoon Cabin.

Access to drinking water: Unlike many remote cabins, some provide water access. Goose Bay Cabin offers drinking water, making packing lighter for visitors reaching this boat-access-only location.

Winter season availability: Many cabins remain bookable year-round. "Camp ground was spacious and very quite. It was a rainy and windy weekend and we still had fun," reports a visitor at Eklutna Lake Campground about off-season camping conditions.

What you should know

Transportation logistics: Many cabins require specialized access methods. "We took the Alaska Marine Highway from Whittier to Petersburg with stops in Yakutat and Juneau. Highly recommend getting a private room for overnight adventures but if you're on a budget you can bring your tent and camp gear up to the solarium," advises a ferry traveler.

Reservation timing: Public use cabins book quickly, especially during summer months. The two cabins at Bird Creek Campground require booking "way in advance" according to reviewers.

Road noise considerations: Some cabins near roadways experience traffic sounds. "You definitely get some noise from Highway traffic but it's not terrible. There's a gas station right across the street for fuel and maybe some other last minute supplies you may need?" reports a Squirrel Cove Cabin visitor.

Tips for camping with families

Consider cabin spacing: Family groups should note site layouts. "Sites are small for the most part, better for RVs or a small tent. Some traffic noise throughout," explains a Bird Creek visitor when planning family accommodations.

Pack appropriate activities: Bring entertainment for rainy conditions. "It was a rainy and windy weekend and we still had fun. Rode our bikes down the lake side trial, people were nice and respectful. Also the dogs and kids love playing on the beach," shares an Eklutna Lake Campground visitor.

Food storage requirements: Cabins near Whittier require proper storage containers. "Food lockers" are available at walk-in tent sites at some locations like Eklutna Lake Campground, but most cabin sites require bringing your own secure food storage.

Tips for RVers

Limited hookup availability: Most forest service cabins don't accommodate RVs, but campgrounds like Shrode Lake Cabin offer drive-in access. "Great prices and wonder time checking in and leaving was hard just because I wasn't ready for it at the time," notes a visitor.

Site size restrictions: RV campers should verify space limitations. "All spots are close to one bathroom or another. Train does run by at 6 am so it makes a great alarm clock. Quiet time ends at 6 am. Half the camp sites are next to the bike path so watch your dogs," advises a Bird Creek visitor about the layout.

First-come availability: Many sites operate without advance reservation. "First come, first served. This campground has 22 sites and 2 public use cabins. There's bathrooms but no showers. Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table and there are trails within walking distance of your campsite," explains a Bird Creek visitor about arriving during off-season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Whittier, AK?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Whittier, AK is Alaska Marine Highway with a 5-star rating from 5 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 44 cabin camping locations near Whittier, AK, with real photos and reviews from campers.