Swan Lake Cabin Petersburg
Open — Open year-round for reservations via Recreation.gov. The lake is typically frozen from November through early June, limiting access to helicopter only. Contact floatplane companies before booking to ensure lake access, especially during fall, winter, and early spring. The cabin may be inaccessible in some years until July. Weather delays are common; plan for extended stays.
Regional Order No. 10-01 - Marijuana - Simple Possession
Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited on the Tongass and Chugach National Forests: Possessing, storing or transporting parts of a cannabis plant, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of such plant; including and not limited to proc
Regional Order No. 10-00-00-04-01 - Occupancy and Use - Alcohol
TONGASS and CHUGACH NATIONAL FORESTS Regional Office Juneau, Alaska Order No. 10-00-00-04-01REGIONAL ORDEROccupancy and Use
Regional Order No. R-10-96-01 - Forest Development Roads and Trails
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 7700-96-1 7730EFFECTIVE 5/17/96 Page 10 of 117731.14 - EXHIBIT 01ORDER NO. R-10-96-01FOREST DEVELOPMENT ROADS AND TRAILSALASKA REGION
Winter Storm Warning issued January 4 at 9:13PM AKST until January 5 at 6:00PM AKST by NWS Juneau AK
...HEAVY SNOW RETURNS TO SOUTHEAST ALASKA ON MONDAY... .Prefrontal showers associated with a weak wave moving through the Icy Strait corridor and western Baranof Island has prompted the winter storm warning to be moved up in time. Snow ratios are very high, pushing greater than 30:1, therefore snow characteristic is very fluffy and dry with very little moisture. Once snow becomes increasingly wet, expect to see any snow depth gained from these snow showers reduced. Therefore, there is very little change in overall snow totals. A weather system will arrive late Sunday night and sweep into southeast Alaska, bringing heavy snowfall across the region on Monday. Heaviest snowfall rates are expected through Monday morning and into the afternoon. An initial warmup moving up from the south is expected through the afternoon and overnight hours on Monday, resulting in some locations changing over to a rain and rain/snow mix for areas along and south of the Icy Strait Corridor from Elfin Cove to Gustavus and Juneau. However, weakening winds combined with heavy snow showers on Tuesday will more than likely see a switch back to snow. Main forecast challenge on Tuesday will be the highly variable snowfall accumulations across the northern panhandle due to the hit or miss nature of the showers, warnings and advisories could be extended into Tuesday. * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 10 inches. Winds gusting as high as 30 mph. * WHERE...Petersburg Borough, Western Kupreanof Island and Kuiu Island, Prince of Wales Island and City and Borough of Wrangell. * WHEN...From 6 AM to 6 PM AKST Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel by land, sea, and air will be be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Precipitation will initially start as all snow on Monday. Through the afternoon and overnight hours on Monday, a transition to a rain/snow mix, or even rain, is expected as a strong push of southerly winds moves northward. The strongest wind gusts will occur as the southerly winds push northward. The southerly winds diminish in strength on Tuesday, allowing strong rain and snow showers to move through the area, potentially bringing additional snow accumulation.
About
Swan Lake Cabin is a remote backcountry A-frame cabin located on the southeast shore of alpine Swan Lake in the Tongass National Forest, 18 miles from Petersburg. Rebuilt in 2005-06, the cabin sits at 1,524 feet elevation surrounded by the steep peaks of the Cosmos Range, offering some of the most spectacular scenery and photographic opportunities in southeast Alaska. The cabin accommodates up to seven people with two wooden bunks and a sleeping loft. It is equipped with a clean-burning oil heater (guests must supply their own No. 1 stove oil or kerosene, which burns at approximately one gallon per day), a wooden table and benches, and an outhouse with pit toilets. Two rowboats with oars are available for use on the lake. No water is provided; guests must treat or boil lake water or bring their own drinking water. Guests must bring sleeping bags, cooking gear, stove, food, and all other personal items. The area offers exceptional recreational opportunities. Rainbow trout fishing is excellent in the lake. The Cascade Creek Trail, accessible by boat from the cabin's west end, leads to Falls Lake and a three-sided shelter one mile away, continuing five miles to Cascade Creek Cabin in Thomas Bay. The surrounding terrain provides favorable conditions for rock, ice, and glacier climbing. Mountain goats inhabit the steep talus slopes, and alpine wildflowers are abundant. A sandbar is available for tent camping or picnicking. The lake is typically frozen from November through early June, limiting access to helicopter only during winter months. Guests should be prepared for weather delays and extended stays.
Directions
Accessible only by float plane or helicopter, 18 miles northeast from Petersburg. Located on Swan Lake at 1,524 feet elevation, east of Thomas Bay on the mainland. Refer to USGS topographic maps Sumdum A3 and A2. The lake is typically frozen from November through early June; contact floatplane services to verify access conditions before booking.
Nearby Campgrounds
Location
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $35 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (907) 772-3871 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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