Deer Mountain Shelter Site
Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations or permits required. Winter access may be challenging due to snow and ice on the steep trail.
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
Flood Advisory issued December 29 at 4:11PM AKST until December 30 at 8:45AM AKST by NWS Juneau AK
Heavy rain fall Sunday and overnight night has increased runoff into stream and rivers. * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues. * WHERE...Ward Lake near areas near the Ward Lake recreational area. * WHEN...Until 845 AM AKST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 409 PM AKST, gauge reports indicated heavy rain across the advisory area. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly, especially near Ward Lake. - For Lake Connell Dam: At 3:00pm the stage was 253.25 feet. Flood Stage is 252.0 feet.
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
About
Deer Mountain Shelter Site is a 16x16-foot A-frame shelter reconstructed in 2008-09, perched above timberline at 2,900 feet elevation in the Tongass National Forest near Ketchikan. The shelter is reached via the Deer Mountain National Recreation Trail, a challenging 2.5-mile hike gaining significant elevation through temperate rainforest before reaching alpine terrain. The trail can also be accessed from downtown Ketchikan, approximately 4 miles away. The shelter accommodates up to 8 people with 2 double bunks on the main floor and a sleeping loft for 4 more. Amenities include a propane stove (bring 1-pound canisters), table and benches, and a cooking counter. The location offers exceptional views of surrounding mountains and alpine meadows, with opportunities for wildlife viewing including Sitka black-tailed deer, black bears, and mountain goats. This is a first-come, first-served facility with no reservations. No water or toilet facilities are available on-site. The shelter is located in bear country, and visitors should practice proper bear safety. Due to its alpine location and exposure, the site is typically more accessible during summer months, though winter access is possible for experienced backcountry travelers prepared for snow conditions.
Directions
From Ketchikan, drive or walk up Ketchikan Lakes Road for 0.5 miles to the junction with Nordstrom Drive. The Deer Mountain Trailhead is located here. Hike 2.5 miles up the steep Deer Mountain National Recreation Trail to reach the shelter at 2,900 feet elevation. Refer to USGS Ketchikan B5 map.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | No |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (907) 225-3101 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!