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. 10-01 - 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
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 |
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