Baranof Lake Cabin
Open — Open year-round for reservations via Recreation.gov. However, the cabin may be inaccessible from November through May when the lake surface freezes and floatplanes cannot land. Contact the Sitka Ranger District for current winter access conditions before booking during this period.
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
Special Weather Statement issued February 8 at 1:57PM AKST by NWS Juneau AK
After a series of shortwaves that brought rain and gusty winds over the past few days, a stronger front will approach southeast Alaska from the west on Tuesday. South to southeast winds will increase through the day Tuesday. Confidence is increasing for windy conditions with strong gusts Tuesday night into Wednesday morning as the front pushes west to east across southeast Alaska. Gales with storm force gusts will be possible ahead and along the frontal passage, especially along north-south oriented channels and along the coastal waters. A period of moderate to heavy rainfall will be possible with the frontal passage, but with the progressive nature of the front, flooding is not expected at this time. Another gale to potentially storm force low will quickly lift northeast into the Gulf and looks to push across southeast Alaska sometime later Wednesday into Thursday, bringing another round of strong gusty winds and moderate to heavy rainfall. Further details on the high wind and flooding potential for this system will be honed in on in the coming days. Looking further ahead, a cooling trend is favored to commence in the wake of these passing systems by late work week into the weekend. Snow levels will begin to lower and a colder outflow wind pattern could set up by late weekend. This could result in a return of snow for some coastal communities, especially across northern southeast Alaska. Further details on the pattern change and snow potential will be honed as the weekend approaches.
About
Baranof Lake Cabin sits on the shores of greenish-blue Baranof Lake on Baranof Island, 20 air miles east of Sitka in the Tongass National Forest. This remote wilderness cabin offers spectacular solitude in a pristine alpine setting. The 12'x14' Pan Abode-style cabin accommodates up to 6 people with two double and two single plywood bunks, a wood stove for heat, table with benches, cooking counter, and an outhouse toilet. Baranof Lake is a glacier-fed lake nearly 3 miles long and half a mile wide, sitting at 145 feet elevation and surrounded by spruce and hemlock forest. Mountain ridges rise to 3,000 feet on either side of the lake. The cabin has a small sandy beach near the mouth of the Baranof River, with the sound of rushing water as the river enters the lake. A beautiful waterfall cascades over steep slopes across the lake. A small square-bowed skiff with oars is provided for lake access. Recreation includes fishing for cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden, and rainbow trout (peak runs late July to late August), photography, and wilderness solitude. Dense vegetation along the shoreline makes hiking difficult. Brown bears are common in the area. Access is by floatplane from Sitka, typically 25 minutes in clear weather, though flying time can double in poor weather when planes must take the northern route around Baranof Island. Water is available from the lake or inlet streams but must be treated. Firewood may be limited.
Directions
Located 20 air miles east of Sitka on the east side of Baranof Island, west of Warm Springs Bay. Access by floatplane from Sitka, 25 minutes in clear weather. Flying time can double in poor weather when planes must fly the northern route around Baranof Island instead of over the island. Refer to USGS topographic map Sitka A-3.
Nearby Campgrounds
Location
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $45 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| SM.FS.r10_sitka_rd@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (907) 747-6671 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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