Petersburg Borough / Tongass National Forest

Castle Flats Cabin

Open — Open year-round and available for reservations through Recreation.gov. Peak season rates apply May 1 through September 30, and non-peak rates apply October 1 through April 30.

About

Castle Flats Cabin offers a unique wilderness experience on southeastern Kupreanof Island in the Tongass National Forest. Located on the edge of the Castle River tide flats in Duncan Canal, the cabin is surrounded by predominantly flat terrain featuring old-growth forest and muskeg. This remote, single-level hunter-style cabin accommodates up to five people with four wooden bunks, a wood stove, clean-burning oil heater, table and benches, counter, and a covered porch. A pit-type outhouse is located nearby. The cabin includes a rowboat with oars for exploring the tide flats and nearby waters. Access to the cabin requires careful planning around tides. From Petersburg, it is 16 miles by float plane (requiring a 15-foot tide) or 30 miles by boat (requiring a 13-foot tide). During lower tides, visitors must hike up to 2 miles across the tide flats to reach the cabin. The Castle River Trail, an easy 1-mile trail, leads to the Castle River Cabin and continues another half-mile upstream through forest and muskeg. The area provides excellent opportunities for fishing, with steelhead from April to May, trout from May to October, and coho salmon from mid-August through mid-September. Hunting is available for waterfowl, grouse, moose, deer, and black bears during designated seasons. The tide flats host many bird species during spring migration, and wildlife viewing is exceptional throughout the year. Visitors must bring their own heating oil, life jackets, sleeping bags, cooking gear, food, drinking water, and all other amenities, and pack out all trash.

Directions

From Petersburg, 16 miles by float plane or 30 miles by boat. A 15-foot tide is required for float plane access, and a 13-foot tide is required for boat access. At lower tides, up to a 2-mile hike along the tide flat is necessary. Located on USGS topographic map Petersburg C-4.

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