Barnes Lake Cabin
Open — Open year-round for reservations via Recreation.gov. Peak season rates apply May 1 through September 30, non-peak rates October 1 through April 30. Float plane access may be limited when the lake surface is frozen during fall, winter, or early spring.
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
Barnes Lake Cabin is a remote 12-by-12 foot pan-abode cedar log structure situated on the western shore of Barnes Lake, a tidal saltwater lagoon on Prince of Wales Island in southeastern Alaska. The cabin sleeps four to six people on wooden bunks and features a wood stove for heat, a table, benches, cooking bench, shelves, and basic tools for firewood cutting. A 14-foot aluminum skiff with oars is available for exploring the lagoon and surrounding waters. At low tide, a 50- to 100-foot tidal flat emerges in front of the cabin. The cabin is surrounded by old-growth temperate rainforest of spruce and hemlock trees, with abundant wildlife including Sitka black-tailed deer, black bears, and migratory waterfowl. The location offers excellent fishing opportunities, with summer runs of coho and pink salmon in coastal waters from mid-August to late September. Crabbing is available throughout warmer months, though high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning have been recorded in the area. Visitors can enjoy scenic boating through Gold and Galligan Lagoon to Sweetwater Lake, though navigation should only occur during high slack tide. The area also provides hunting opportunities for bear in spring and fall, and deer from late summer through late fall. This is a primitive facility with no fresh water source nearby, no electricity, and no cell service. Visitors must bring their own water, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cooking equipment, lanterns, food, toilet paper, and garbage bags. Wood may be available but is not guaranteed. Access requires careful planning around tidal conditions, and the cabin may be inaccessible to float planes when the lake surface is frozen during winter months.
Directions
Located on the western shore of Barnes Lake, 70 air miles from Ketchikan and 38 air miles from Craig on Prince of Wales Island. Accessible only by float plane, motorboat, or kayak. Float plane or boat access can only occur at certain stages of the tide. Use extreme care boating through Indian Creek Rapids and Lake Bay Creek, which are extremely dangerous and should only be attempted at high slack tide, about 1.5 hours after high tide. Refer to USGS Petersburg A-3 map.
Nearby Campgrounds
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 | $25 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (907) 828-3304 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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