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Alaska Forest Service Cabin Rental Informatiom
Alaska Forest Service cabins are located at remote lakes, rivers, streams, and on saltwater beaches. Most lake cabins are accessible only by float plane. The cabins on salt water can be reached by boat and usually by float plane. Access to cabins on salt water and on the Stikine River and Delta may require special tidal conditions.
Rental fees vary from $25 to $45 per day depending on time of year and demand for the cabin.
Cabin permits are issued for noncommercial purposes to anyone 18 years of age or older. Any number of persons can occupy the cabin under a single permit.
Use under each permit is normally limited to 7 days between May 1 and September 30, and 10 days the rest of the year. A permit day begins at 12 noon on the assigned day and ends at 12 noon the following day.
What Will I Find?
Alaska Forest cabin designs include: A-Frame, Modified A-Frame, Pan-Abode, Hunter, and Alpine, each sleeping at least four people. A-Frame cabins have an additional second floor sleeping loft. The Alpine cabin is a hunter cabin modified to provide a sleeping loft and placed on a raised foundation to allow use during heavy snow accumulation.
Each cabin includes table, benches, plywood bunks (without mattresses), wood and/or oil heating stove, axe/maul where appropriate, broom, and outhouse. The cabins do not have electricity, bedding, or cooking utensils. It is wise to take a gas or propane stove for cooking, your own sleeping bags, pads, pots, pans, plates, utensils, toilet paper, garbage bags, fire starter and insect repellent.
Be sure to check the specific stove information on the cabin you want. The Forest Service does not provide stove oil for cabin users. Be sure to check whether the oil stove takes No. 1 or No. 2 oil; 5-10 gallons will burn about a week, depending on the time of year and the weather. Firewood is generally provided at cabins with wood stoves, but is not guaranteed. The firewood that is provided is for indoor use only. If you must have an outdoor fire, please gather your own firewood, using already downed material, not standing trees. Please make sure your fire is "dead out" before you leave the cabin.
Drinking water is not provided. Water taken from lakes or streams, no matter how clear, should be boiled at least 5 minutes or treated to make it safe for drinking.
Weather may affect the length of your stay. Unsafe boating or flying conditions can occur at any time of year. Always prepare for the possibility of bad weather and an extended stay. Rain gear and warm clothing are essential; waterproof boots and extra food and clothing are recommended.
Boats and oars are furnished at some cabins, usually on lakes. A small outboard motor, in the 2 to 10 horsepower category, may add to your enjoyment. Boat users must provide a U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation device for each passenger aboard the boat.
Safety
Be cautious in bear country. www.petersburgvacations.com/alaska__bear_viewing_guidelines will provide more information. Clam diggers should be cautious of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning. We recommend taking local maps, a compass, flashlight, waterproof matches, a strong knife, a first-aid kit, a space blanket, candles, flares, and personal protection such as a gun or bear repellent if you wish. A handheld VHF radio may be useful to summon help in the event of an emergency.
Camping Etiquette
Cabin users are requested to: PACK OUT all garbage including unused food and fuel; PACK OUT empty fuel cans, and leave a supply of firewood. A permit day begins at 12 noon on the assigned day and ends at 12 noon the following day. (Gear should be packed and out of the cabin for the next group.) Please leave a clean cabin so the next users will also enjoy their stay.
Know Before You Go
Copies of fishing and hunting regulations may be obtained from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Box 3-2000, Juneau, AK 99802.
When traveling into or out of Canada along the Stikine River, you must contact the appropriate country's customs agent. (The U.S. Customs office is in Wrangell (907) 874-3415.)
How Do I Get There?
Getting there can be half the fun. It can also be a challenge. Very few cabins can be reached without the use of a boat or an aircraft. Many require a hike.
Give special attention to the tide information provided for each saltwater cabin. The lower the tide, the longer the walk to the cabin, sometimes as much as 2 miles. Some cabins are inaccessible by boat or plane at low tide. Tide information is also extremely significant for those cabin users planning to boat to cabins on the Stikine River and the adjacent tide flats. Consult local tide tables when planning time of departure, length of stay, and time of return from your trip. PLEASE NOTE: Check with the local district office for the correct tide table to use for the cabin of your choice.
Keep in mind that arrangements need to be made in advance to ensure services.
How Do I Reserve a Cabin?
Cabin and campsite reservations are available through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS). You have two options:
- You may reserve a cabin or campsite toll-free over the phone at 1-877-444-6777 using a major credit card:
You may shop and reserve over the Internet using a credit card:
You can cancel or change your reservation by calling NRRS at the same toll-free number. One, and only one, change in a reservation (defined as a modification to the start or end date of your reservation) is permitted. A second change requires a cancellation of your original reservation and the booking of a new one. If you cancel a cabin reservation within 14 days of your scheduled arrival date, you will be charged a $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's recreation use fee. No-shows, early departures, or cancellations after the scheduled arrival date are not entitled to a refund. Cancellations within the 14 days of your scheduled arrival date for single night use will not be assessed a service fee.
If you are using the reserveusa.com site, you can go to the cabin of your choice, click on the sites link and from there click on What's available to check the cabin's availability on your preferred dates.
You may use your credit card over the phone or Internet. On the phone, you may get a tentative reservation without payment, then get a confirmation if your payment (cashier's check or money order) is received at the National Recreation Reservation Service Call Center within 10 days. You may contact any Forest Service district office if you have any questions or problems making your cabin reservations.
Cabin reservations may be made up to 180 days in advance of the first day of requested use. Reservations are confirmed instantly on a first come-first served basis.
*Source Tongass National Forest website modified.
The Petersburg Alaska area offers many fine streams and lakes for camping and fishing. Kupreanof Flying Service has the knowledge and experience to fly you into Forest Service cabins. Butch Williams, your pilot, has the local knowledge to make your Alaska vacation a memorable one.
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