Sitka / Tongass National Forest

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.

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.

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